bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Right ventricular systolic function and associated anatomic risk factors in fetuses with transposition of the great arteries: Evaluation by velocity vector imaging
Authors: Lin Shan , Cao Haiyan , Hong Liu , Song Xiaoyan , Liu Kun , Xie Mingxing , Yang Yali 
Published: January 2023

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate right ventricular (RV) systolic function in fetuses with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) using velocity vector imaging (VVI) and to investigate the impact of different factors on RV systolic function in TGA fetuses.MethodsThis was a retrospective cross-sectional study of fetuses referred to our tertiary center between 2015 and 2019. Maternal and fetal baseline characteristics and conventional echocardiographic and myocardial deformation indices were collected in fetuses with TGA at 20–28 weeks’ gestation, which were compared with normal fetuses with comparable gestational age (GA). RV deformational parameters including global and regional longitudinal peak systolic strain, strain rate, and velocity were measured using off-line speckle tracking analysis. The univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were established to evaluate the independent risk factors for RV global longitudinal systolic strain (RVGLSs) and strain rate (RVGLSRs).ResultsIn total, 78 fetuses with TGA [including 49 fetuses with complete transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA) and 29 fetuses with Taussig-Bing anomaly (TBA)] and 49 normal fetuses were included. Compared with normal controls, global and most regional RV longitudinal systolic peak velocity, strain, and strain rate were lower in d-TGA and TBA fetuses (P &lt; 0.05). Compared with normal controls, global and most regional RV longitudinal systolic strain was lower in d-TGA fetuses without pulmonary stenosis (PS) and ventricular septal defect (VSD), while RVGLSs and RVGLSRs were lower in TBA fetuses without PS. The VSD was an independent determinant of RVGLSRs (P = 0.024) in the d-TGA group. Additionally, PS was an independent determinant of RVGLSs and RVGLSRs (P = 0.012, P = 0.027) in the TBA group.ConclusionEarly impairment of RV systolic function has already occurred in TGA fetuses during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. PS, VSD, and foramen ovale (FO) were independent risk factors for decreased RV function.
“Not try to save them or ask them to breathe through their oppression”: Educator perceptions and the need for a human-centered, liberatory approach to social and emotional learning
Authors: Lin Meiko , Olsen Svea , Simmons Dena N. , Miller Miriam , Tominey Shauna L. 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionSocial and emotional learning (SEL) has been identified as one approach to promote positive mental health outcomes while alleviating the stressors of systemic racism and a global pandemic. As the United States turns to SEL as a remedy for mental health challenges and the current civil unrest, it becomes increasingly relevant to understand what SEL means to those who use it the most to strengthen the implementation of current programs as well as to inform the development of new programs to fill existing gaps.MethodsThis abductive qualitative study expands prior research by exploring how in-service educators define SEL (N = 427).ResultsOur findings highlight that educators perceive SEL as more expansive than current competency-based models. Educators describe SEL as a praxis that can be responsive to student and community needs, facilitate healing, and center humanity along with racial and social justice.DiscussionWe discuss implications that highlight the potential risks and harm that can be perpetuated by the current practice of SEL and, like the educators in our study, advocate for dismantling white supremacy structures in education through the co-creation of a humanizing SEL approach.
Improving motivation in pre-school education through the use of project-based learning and cooperative learning
Authors: Viñuela Yaiza , de Caso Fuertes Ana María 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionThe emphasis on skills-based learning has caused curricular change in education systems across the European Union, particularly in terms of the increased use of active teaching methodologies at all stages of education. These sorts of methodology are proven to have a positive impact on students’ motivation to learn and involve teaching strategies that represent a significant departure from traditional approaches. In this way, teachers in Pre-school Education can employ play-based strategies, which not only foster students’ acquisition of new skills but also their motivation. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of using active methodologies on the intrinsic motivation of students in the second cycle of Pre-school Education (3–6 years old) toward the process of teaching and learning.MethodsTo this end, a quantitative investigation was undertaken involving a non-probabilistic, convenience sample of 77 students in publicly funded Pre-schools. The selected students were asked to complete an ad hoc questionnaire to measure their motivation with respect to the methodology implemented in their classroom. Data were analyzed using the statistical program SPSS v.26 statistical significance was reached for all motivation variables (p &lt; 0.05).ResultsA particularly important result was the finding that motivation among our pre-school cohort varied strongly in relation to sex with girls demonstrating greater motivation than boys.DiscussionAlso of interest are the findings that older pupils showed higher levels of motivation and students in the rural center were more motivated than those who study in the urban center. In conclusion, the implementation of active methodologies in Pre-school Education appears to foster students’ motivation to learn.
Fibroblast growth factor 23 is independently associated with renal magnesium handling in patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Grigore Teodora V. , Zuidscherwoude Malou , Witasp Anna , Barany Peter , Wernerson Annika , Bruchfeld Annette , Xu Hong , Olauson Hannes , Hoenderop Joost 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundDisturbances in magnesium homeostasis are common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and are associated with increased mortality. The kidney is a key organ in maintaining normal serum magnesium concentrations. To this end, fractional excretion of magnesium (FEMg) increases as renal function declines. Despite recent progress, the hormonal regulation of renal magnesium handling is incompletely understood. Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF23) is a phosphaturic hormone that has been linked to renal magnesium handling. However, it has not yet been reported whether FGF23 is associated with renal magnesium handling in CKD patients.MethodsThe associations between plasma FGF23 levels, plasma and urine magnesium concentrations and FEMg was investigated in a cross-sectional cohort of 198 non-dialysis CKD patients undergoing renal biopsy.ResultsFGF23 was significantly correlated with FEMg (Pearson’s correlation coefficient = 0.37, p&lt;0.001) and urinary magnesium (-0.14, p=0.04), but not with plasma magnesium. The association between FGF23 and FEMg remained significant after adjusting for potential confounders, including estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), parathyroid hormone and 25-hydroxyvitamin D.ConclusionsWe report that plasma FGF23 is independently associated with measures of renal magnesium handling in a cohort of non-dialysis CKD patients. A potential causal relationship should be investigated in future studies.
Corticosterone induces obesity partly via promoting intestinal cell proliferation and survival
Authors: Wang Guanhao , Li Shuanqing , Li Yingqi , Zhang Meihui , Xu Ting , Li Tianming , Cao Lining , Lu Jianfeng 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionA vicious cycle ensues whereby prolonged exposure to social stress causes increased production of glucocorticoids (GCs), leading to obesity even further. Understanding the role of GCs, the key element in the vicious circle, might be helpful to break the vicious circle. However, the mechanism by which GCs induce obesity remains elusive.MethodsCorticosterone (CORT) was administered to mice for 8 weeks. Food and water intake were recorded; obesity was analyzed by body-weight evaluation and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); intestinal proliferation and survival were evaluated by H&amp;E staining, EdU-progression test, TUNEL assay and immunofluorescence staining of Ki67 and CC3; RNA-seq was performed to analyze transcriptional alterations in small intestines and livers.ResultsChronic CORT treatment induced obesity, longer small intestines, hepatic steatosis and elevated levels of serum insulin and leptin in mice; CORT-treated mice showed increased cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis of small intestines; RNA-seq results indicate that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched in several cell growth/death-associated signaling pathways.DiscussionHerein we find that administration of CORT to mice promotes the proliferation and survival of intestinal cells, which might contribute to the longer small intestines and the elongated intestinal villi, thus leading to increased nutrient absorption and obesity in mice. Understanding CORT-induced alterations in intestines and associated signaling pathways might provide novel therapeutic clues for GCs or stress-associated obesity.
Uncovering the molecular mechanisms between heart failure and end-stage renal disease via a bioinformatics study
Authors: Bian Rutao , Xu Xuegong , Li Weiyu 
Published: January 2023

Background: Heart failure (HF) is not only a common complication in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) but also a major cause of death. Although clinical studies have shown that there is a close relationship between them, the mechanism of its occurrence is unclear. The aim of this study is to explore the molecular mechanisms between HF and ESRD through comprehensive bioinformatics analysis, providing a new perspective on the crosstalk between these two diseases.Methods: The HF and ESRD datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database; we identified and analyzed common differentially expressed genes (DEGs). First, Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and gene set variation analyses (GSVA) were applied to explore the potential biological functions and construct protein−protein interaction (PPI) networks. Also, four algorithms, namely, random forest (RF), Boruta algorithm, logical regression of the selection operator (LASSO), and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE), were used to identify the candidate genes. Subsequently, the diagnostic efficacy of hub genes for HF and ESRD was evaluated using eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) algorithm. CIBERSORT was used to analyze the infiltration of immune cells. Thereafter, we predicted target microRNAs (miRNAs) using databases (miRTarBase, TarBase, and ENOCRI), and transcription factors (TFs) were identified using the ChEA3 database. Cytoscape software was applied to construct mRNA−miRNA−TF regulatory networks. Finally, the Drug Signatures Database (DSigDB) was used to identify potential drug candidates.Results: A total of 68 common DEGs were identified. The enrichment analysis results suggest that immune response and inflammatory factors may be common features of the pathophysiology of HF and ESRD. A total of four hub genes (BCL6, CCL5, CNN1, and PCNT) were validated using RF, LASSO, Boruta, and SVM-RFE algorithms. Their AUC values were all greater than 0.8. Immune infiltration analysis showed that immune cells such as macrophages, neutrophils, and NK cells were altered in HF myocardial tissue, while neutrophils were significantly correlated with all four hub genes. Finally, 11 target miRNAs and 10 TFs were obtained, and miRNA−mRNA−TF regulatory network construction was performed. In addition, 10 gene-targeted drugs were discovered.Conclusion: Our study revealed important crosstalk between HF and ESRD. These common pathways and pivotal genes may provide new ideas for further clinical treatment and experimental studies.
Chromosome genome assembly for the meagre, Argyrosomus regius, reveals species adaptations and sciaenid sex-related locus evolution
Authors: Papadogiannis Vasileios , Manousaki Tereza , Nousias Orestis , Tsakogiannis Alexandros , Kristoffersen Jon B. , Mylonas Constantinos C. , Batargias Costas , Chatziplis Dimitrios , Tsigenopoulos Costas S. 
Published: January 2023

The meagre, Argyrosomus regius, has recently become a species of increasing economic interest for the Mediterranean aquaculture and there is ongoing work to boost production efficiency through selective breeding. Access to the complete genomic sequence will provide an essential resource for studying quantitative trait-associated loci and exploring the genetic diversity of different wild populations and aquaculture stocks in more detail. Here, we present the first complete genome for A. regius, produced through a combination of long and short read technologies and an efficient in-house developed pipeline for assembly and polishing. Scaffolding using previous linkage map data allowed us to reconstruct a chromosome level assembly with high completeness, complemented with gene annotation and repeat masking. The 696 Mb long assembly has an N50 = 27.87 Mb and an L50 = 12, with 92.85% of its length placed in 24 chromosomes. We use this new resource to study the evolution of the meagre genome and other Sciaenids, via a comparative analysis of 25 high-quality teleost genomes. Combining a rigorous investigation of gene duplications with base-wise conservation analysis, we identify candidate loci related to immune, fat metabolism and growth adaptations in the meagre. Following phylogenomic reconstruction, we show highly conserved synteny within Sciaenidae. In contrast, we report rapidly evolving syntenic rearrangements and gene copy changes in the sex-related dmrt1 neighbourhood in meagre and other members of the family. These novel genomic datasets and findings will add important new tools for aquaculture studies and greatly facilitate husbandry and breeding work in the species.
Combination of GD2-directed bispecific trifunctional antibody therapy with Pd-1 immune checkpoint blockade induces anti-neuroblastoma immunity in a syngeneic mouse model
Authors: Ivasko Sara Marie , Anders Kathleen , Grunewald Laura , Launspach Michael , Klaus Anika , Schwiebert Silke , Ruf Peter , Lindhofer Horst , Lode Holger N. , Andersch Lena , Schulte Johannes H. , Eggert Angelika , Hundsdoerfer Patrick , Künkele Annette , Zirngibl Felix 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionDespite advances in treating high-risk neuroblastoma, 50-60% of patients still suffer relapse, necessitating new treatment options. Bispecific trifunctional antibodies (trAbs) are a promising new class of immunotherapy. TrAbs are heterodimeric IgG-like molecules that bind CD3 and a tumor-associated antigen simultaneously, whereby inducing a TCR-independent anti-cancer T cell response. Moreover, via their functional Fc region they recruit and activate cells of the innate immune system like antigen-presenting cells potentially enhancing induction of adaptive tumor-specific immune responses.MethodsWe used the SUREK trAb, which is bispecific for GD2 and murine Cd3. Tumor-blind trAb and the monoclonal ch14.18 antibody were used as controls. A co-culture model of murine dendritic cells (DCs), T cells and a neuroblastoma cell line was established to evaluate the cytotoxic effect and the T cell effector function in vitro. Expression of immune checkpoint molecules on tumor-infiltrating T cells and the induction of an anti-neuroblastoma immune response using a combination of whole cell vaccination and trAb therapy was investigated in a syngeneic immunocompetent neuroblastoma mouse model (NXS2 in A/J background). Finally, vaccinated mice were assessed for the presence of neuroblastoma-directed antibodies. We show that SUREK trAb-mediated effective killing of NXS2 cells in vitro was strictly dependent on the combined presence of DCs and T cells. ResultsUsing a syngeneic neuroblastoma mouse model, we showed that vaccination with irradiated tumor cells combined with SUREK trAb treatment significantly prolonged survival of tumor challenged mice and partially prevent tumor outgrowth compared to tumor vaccination alone. Treatment led to upregulation of programmed cell death protein 1 (Pd-1) on tumor infiltrating T cells and combination with anti-Pd-1 checkpoint inhibition enhanced the NXS2-directed humoral immune response.ConclusionHere, we provide first preclinical evidence that a tumor vaccination combined with SUREK trAb therapy induces an endogenous anti-neuroblastoma immune response reducing tumor recurrence. Furthermore, a combination with anti-Pd-1 immune checkpoint blockade might even further improve this promising immunotherapeutic concept in order to prevent relapse in high-risk neuroblastoma patients.
Measuring depression in Primary Health Care in Spain: Psychometric properties and diagnostic accuracy of HSCL-5 and HSCL-10
Authors: Rodríguez-Barragán María , Fernández-San-Martín María Isabel , Clavería Ana , Le Reste Jean Yves , Nabbe Patrice , Motrico Emma , Gómez-Gómez Irene , Peguero-Rodríguez Eva 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundDepression has a high prevalence among European countries. Several instruments have been designed to assess its symptoms in different populations. The Hopkins Symptom Checklist 25 (HSCL-25) scale has been identified as valid, reproducible, effective, and easy to use. There are short versions of this scale that could be useful in Primary Care (PC) settings, but their psychometric properties are unknown.AimTo assess in PC patients the psychometric properties and diagnostic accuracy of the Spanish version of the HSCL-10 and the HSCL-5 consisting of 10 and 5 items, respectively.MethodsA multicenter, cross-sectional study was carried out at six PC centers in Spain. The HSCL-25 was administered to outpatients aged 45–75 who also participated in the structured Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). HSCL-10 and HSCL-5 were assessed and compared to HSCL-25 regarding total score correlation, internal consistency, and criterion validity against the gold-standard CIDI. This is a methodological study from a secondary data analysis and the primary data has been previously published.ResultsOut of 790 patients, 767 completed the HSCL-25 and 736 the CIDI interview (96.0%). Cronbach’s Alpha was 0.84 for HSCL-10 and 0.77 for HSCL-5. The known-group method and confirmatory factor analysis were acceptable for the establishment of construct validity. Sensitivity was 79.7% (CI95%, 67.7–88.0%) for HSCL-10, and 78.0% (CI95%, 65.9–86.6%) for HSCL-5, whereas specificity was 83% (CI95%, 80.0–85.7%) for HSCL-10, and 72.8% (CI95%, 69.3–76.0%) for HSCL-5. Area under the curve against CIDI was 0.88 (CI95%, 0.84–0.92%) for HSCL-10, and 0.85 (CI95%, 0.81–0.89%) for HSCL-5. Optimum cutoff point calculated with Youden Index was 1.90 for the HSCL-10 and 1.80 for the HSCL-5.ConclusionHSCL-10 and HSCL-5 are reliable and valid tools to detect depression symptoms and can be used in PC settings.
A novel optical imaging probe for targeted visualization of NLRP3 inflammasomes in a mouse model of age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Paguaga Marcell E. , Penn John S. , Uddin MD Imam 
Published: January 2023

PurposeWet form of age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) is a progressive vascular disease that mainly affects older adults and causes severe and irreversible vision loss. A key complication of wet AMD is choroidal neovascularization (CNV), which may be driven in part by NLRP3 inflammasomes that are associated with macrophages migration to CNV lesions. Since activated NLRP3 is correlated with CNV, visualizing NLRP3 inflammasomes and their associated macrophages is of great interest to monitor wet AMD progression and develop effective therapies against it. However, to the best of our knowledge, current ophthalmic imaging systems do not permit such targeted imaging. Therefore, in this study, we developed InflammaProbe-1, an optical imaging probe for targeted visualization of NLRP3 inflammasomes in CNV lesions.MethodsInflammaProbe-1 was synthesized by conjugating a clinically relevant fluorophore, Oregon Green® 488, to the selective NLRP3 inhibitor, CY-09. The ability of InflammaProbe-1 to target NLRP3 was assessed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay by comparing its ability to inhibit NLRP3-mediated secretion of IL-1β to that of CY-09 in LPS-primed and nigericin-stimulated BMDMs. In vitro confocal imaging of NLRP3 was performed on InflammaProbe-1-stained BMDMs that had been induced to express NLRP3 with LPS. In vivo imaging of NLRP3 was conducted on mouse laser induced choroidal neovascularization (LCNV), a model of AMD, 6 h after an intraperitoneal injection of InflammaProbe-1 at 10 mg/kg on day 4 post-LCNV.ResultsInflammaProbe-1 was just as effective as CY-09 at inhibiting IL-1β secretion (p &lt; 0.01 at 10 μM for both the InflammaProbe-1 and CY-09 groups relative to the control). InflammaProbe-1-stained BMDMs that had been induced to express NLRP3 showed significantly brighter fluorescence than untreated cells (p &lt; 0.0001 for LPS treatment group and p &lt; 0.001 for LPS and nigericin treatment group). Furthermore, in vivo molecular imaging of NLRP3 was achieved in mouse LCNV.ConclusionWe propose that InflammaProbe-1 may be a useful molecular imaging probe to monitor the onset, progression, and therapeutic response of AMD and other NLRP3-mediated diseases.
Treatment of striae albae with 1,550 nm Er: Glass vs. CO2 fractional laser: A self-controlled study
Authors: Luo Yanfei , Lin Yan , Wang Meiling , Gao Xiaoyuan , Liu Xiaodong , Liu Huaxu 
Published: January 2023

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of fractional CO2 laser and 1,550 nm Er: glass laser in the treatment for the patients with striae albae.MethodsThe female adults with striae albae in the abdomen for at least 12 months were recruited. After informed consent obtained, the patient received three treatments at 2-month intervals. The lesions on the left abdomen were treated with 10,600 nm CO2 fractional laser and right side treated with 1,550 nm Er: glass fractional laser. The pictures were taken before each visit and 3 months after the final treatment. The criteria for the evaluations using a quartile grading scale were excellent (76–100%), good (51–75%), fair (26–50%), poor (1-25%), and no improvement (0%). The safety and efficacy of the two lasers were independently evaluated using before and after photographs by two dermatologists. In addition, the self-reports to investigate the pain and satisfaction from patients were also recorded.ResultsTotally, 27 cases were recruited, and 25 patients completed the treatments and follow-up. The excellent and good results (improvement of 51–100%) were achieved on the right abdomen in 84% of the patients, while 48% on the left site (p &lt; 0.05). Hyper-pigmentation was seen in 20% of the patients assessed on the left abdomen and only in 8% on the right abdomen. During the treatments, average score of the pain on the right abdomen was 5.41 ± 2.13, which was higher than that on the left (4.19 ± 2.12) (p &lt; 0.001). No permanent hyper-pigmentation was found on the both sides. Considering the whole treatments, the patients favored the modality used on the right side (80 vs. 68%, p &lt; 0.05).ConclusionCompared with CO2 fractional laser, 1,550 nm Er: glass fractional laser therapy provides the significantly better clinical outcomes and fewer side effects in the treatment of striae albae.LimitationsThe sample size and follow-up time were limited.