bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sulodexide improves vascular permeability via glycocalyx remodelling in endothelial cells during sepsis
Authors: Ying Jiayun , Zhang Caiyan , Wang Yaodong , Liu Tingyan , Yu Zhenhao , Wang Kexin , Chen Weiming , Zhou Yufeng , Lu Guoping 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundDegradation of the endothelial glycocalyx is critical for sepsis-associated lung injury and pulmonary vascular permeability. We investigated whether sulodexide, a precursor for the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans, plays a biological role in glycocalyx remodeling and improves endothelial barrier dysfunction in sepsis.MethodsThe number of children with septic shock that were admitted to the PICU at Children’s Hospital of Fudan University who enrolled in the study was 28. On days one and three after enrollment, venous blood samples were collected, and heparan sulfate, and syndecan-1 (SDC1) were assayed in the plasma. We established a cell model of glycocalyx shedding by heparinase III and induced sepsis in a mouse model via lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection and cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Sulodexide was administrated to prevent endothelial glycocalyx damage. Endothelial barrier function and expression of endothelial-related proteins were determined using permeability, western blot and immunofluorescent staining. The survival rate, histopathology evaluation of lungs and wet-to-dry lung weight ratio were also evaluated.ResultsWe found that circulating SDC1 levels were persistently upregulated in the non-alive group on days 1 and 3 and were positively correlated with IL-6 levels. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that SDC1 could distinguish patients with mortality. We showed that SDC1-shedding caused endothelial permeability in the presence of heparinase III and sepsis conditions. Mechanistically, sulodexide (30 LSU/mL) administration markedly inhibited SDC1 shedding and prevented endothelial permeability with zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) upregulation via NF-κB/ZO-1 pathway. In mice with LPS and CLP-induced sepsis, sulodexide (40 mg/kg) administration decreased the plasma levels of SDC1 and increased survival rate. Additionally, sulodexide alleviated lung injury and restored endothelial glycocalyx damage. ConlusionsIn conclusion, our data suggest that SDC1 predicts prognosis in children with septic shock and sulodexide may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of sepsis-associated endothelial dysfunction.
Impact of the histologic grade of acute gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease on outcomes in pediatric patients treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Kim Eun Sil , Kwon Yiyoung , Choe Yon Ho , Kim Mi Jin , Yoo Keon Hee 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionAcute gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a common life-threatening complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). We aimed to investigate outcomes according to the clinical, endoscopic, and histologic severity of gastrointestinal GVHD in pediatric patients treated with allogeneic HCT.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included pediatric patients who underwent sufficient endoscopic and histopathologic evaluation for clinically suspected acute gastrointestinal GVHD between 2010 and 2020.ResultsFifty-one patients were included (male proportion, 68.6% [35/51]; median age at HCT, 6.4 years). When the patients were classified according to the histologic severity of gastrointestinal GVHD, the severe group had an earlier onset of GVHD symptoms and a higher proportion of patients with severe clinical gastrointestinal GVHD than the mild-to-moderate and “absent” groups. In Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, the groups with more severe clinical and histologic gastrointestinal GVHD showed a higher risk of non-relapse mortality (NRM). The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 58.3 and 36.4% in the mild-to-moderate and histologic gastrointestinal GVHD groups, respectively (p = 0.0384). Patients with higher clinical and histologic grades of gastrointestinal GVHD showed higher cumulative incidence of NRM.DiscussionOur results demonstrated that histologic severity of gastrointestinal GVHD is a relevant factor affecting OS and NRM, and patients with mild-to-moderate or severe histologic gastrointestinal GVHD have worse outcomes than patients without histologic GVHD. These findings support the importance of assessing the histologic grade in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with clinical gastrointestinal GVHD.
Tracking the evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant of concern: analysis of genetic diversity and selection across the whole viral genome
Authors: Li Katherine , Melnychuk Stephanie , Sandstrom Paul , Ji Hezhao 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundSince 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has diversified extensively, producing five highly virulent lineages designated as variants of concern (VOCs). The Delta VOC emerged in India with increased transmission, immune evasion, and mortality, causing a massive global case surge in 2021. This study aims to understand how the Delta VOC evolved by characterizing mutation patterns in the viral population before and after its emergence. Furthermore, we aim to identify the influence of positive and negative selection on VOC evolution and understand the prevalence of different mutation types in the viral genome.MethodsThree groups of whole viral genomes were retrieved from GISAID, sourced from India, with collection periods as follows: Group A—during the initial appearance of SARS-CoV-2; Group B—just before the emergence of the Delta variant; Group C—after the establishment of the Delta variant in India. Mutations in &gt;1% of each group were identified with BioEdit to reveal differences in mutation quantity and type. Sites under positive or negative selection were identified with FUBAR. The results were compared to determine how mutations correspond with selective pressures and how viral mutation profiles changed to reflect genetic diversity before and after VOC emergence.ResultsThe number of mutations increased progressively in Groups A–C, with Group C reporting a 2.2- and 1.9-fold increase from Groups A and B, respectively. Among all the observed mutations, Group C had the highest percentage of deletions (22.7%; vs. 4.2% and 2.6% in Groups A and B, respectively), and most mutations altered the final amino acid code, such as non-synonymous substitutions and deletions. Conversely, Group B had the most synonymous substitutions that are effectively silent. The number of sites experiencing positive selection increased in Groups A–C, but Group B had 2.4- and 2.6 times more sites under negative selection compared to Groups A and C, respectively.ConclusionOur findings demonstrated that viral genetic diversity continuously increased during and after the emergence of the Delta VOC. Despite this, Group B reports heightened negative selection, which potentially preserves important gene regions during evolution. Group C contains an unprecedented quantity of mutations and positively selected sites, providing strong evidence of active viral adaptation in the population.
Distinct amyloid-dependent patterns of nigra dopamine depletion in Lewy body diseases
Authors: Baik Kyoungwon , Cha Jungho , Park Mincheol , Lee Younggun , Chung Seok Jong , Yoo Han Soo , Sohn Young H. , Lee Phil Hyu 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionConcomitant amyloid pathology is not uncommon and contributes to the clinical characteristics of Lewy body disease (LBD). We investigated the effect of amyloid on striatal18F-FP-CIT uptake patterns in LBD, including Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies.MethodsWe enrolled 125 patients with LBD who underwent18F-florbetaben positron emission tomography (PET) and18F-FP-CIT PET. Patients were divided into amyloid-positive and amyloid-negative groups. We investigated the effect of amyloid on striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) availability, depending on the type of LBD, using general linear models with interaction analysis after controlling for age, sex, education, deep white matter hyperintensity (WMH), periventricular WMH, and cognitive status.ResultsThere was a significant interaction effect between the disease group and the presence of amyloid on DAT availability in the anterior putamen, posterior putamen, caudate, and ventral striatum. In the presence of amyloid, only the PD group exhibited decreased DAT availability in the anterior and posterior putamen. In both groups, the presence of amyloid was not associated with DAT availability in the caudate and ventral striatum. The presence of amyloid was not directly related to the worse parkinsonian motor symptoms in both groups. However, there was a significant indirect effect of amyloid on parkinsonian motor symptoms, which was mediated by anterior and posterior putaminal DAT availability in the PD group alone.DiscussionThis study demonstrates different amyloid-dependent or amyloid-independent18F-FP-CIT PET patterns in patients with LBD, suggesting distinctive interactions between α-synuclein and amyloid pathology based on the type of LBD.
The effect of hearing impairment and social participation on depressive symptoms in older adults: a cross-lagged analysis
Authors: Zhao Hejun , Wang Xinying , Shi Yuhao 
Published: August 2023

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the relationship between hearing impairment, depressive symptoms, and social participation in older adults.MethodsThe study used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2013 and 2018, which included 3,980 samples. The analysis was conducted using cross-lagged structural equation modeling with SPSS 23.0 and Mplus 7.4.ResultsThe findings show that from 2013 to 2018, older people had significantly more hearing impairment and depressive symptoms and significantly less social participation. Hearing impairment was a significant negative predictor of social participation, and older adults with hearing impairment were less likely to participate in social activities. In addition, there may be a bidirectional relationship between hearing impairment and depressive symptoms, with both being positive predictors of each other. Finally, the study found that social participation played an important mediating role in the relationship between hearing impairment and depressive symptoms.ConclusionThe study’s findings highlight the complex interplay between hearing impairment, social participation, and depressive symptoms in older adults. Therefore, it is important to intervene promptly when hearing impairment is detected in the elderly; pay attention to patient guidance and comfort for the elderly with hearing impairment, give them positive psychological support, encourage them to get out of the house and participate in more social activities to avoid depressive symptoms. The study’s results may inform the development of targeted interventions to address the mental health needs of older adults with hearing impairment.
Quantification of heat shock proteins in the posterior interosseous nerve among subjects with type 1 and type 2 diabetes compared to healthy controls
Authors: Ising Erik , Åhrman Emma , Thomsen Niels O. B. , Åkesson Anna , Malmström Johan , Dahlin Lars B. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionDiabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common complication of both type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). No cure for DPN is available, but several potential targets have been proposed for treatment. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are known to respond to both hyper- and hypoglycemia. DPN can be diagnosed using electrophysiology and studied using peripheral nerve biopsies.AimThis study aimed to analyze the presence and patterns of HSPs in peripheral nerve biopsies from subjects with T1D, T2D, and healthy controls.MethodsPosterior interosseous nerves (PIN) from a total of 56 subjects with T1D (n = 9), with T2D (n = 24), and without diabetes (i.e., healthy controls, n = 23) were harvested under local anesthesia and prepared for quantitative mass spectrometry analysis. Protein intensities were associated with electrophysiology data of the ulnar nerve and morphometry of the same PIN, and differences in protein intensities between groups were analyzed.ResultsIn total, 32 different HSPs were identified and quantified in the nerve specimens. No statistically significant differences were observed regarding protein intensities between groups. Furthermore, protein intensities did not correlate with amplitude or conduction velocity in the ulnar nerve or with the myelinated nerve fiber density of PIN.ConclusionQuantitative proteomics can be used to study HSPs in nerve biopsies, but no clear differences in protein quantities were observed between groups in this cohort.
Acupuncture for tumor-related depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Xiaoyi , Wang Yang , Wu Liu , Zhao Xinyu , Zhu Tianmin 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionTumor-related depression is a series of symptoms or states triggered by a tumor as the basic disease. It does not belong to psychiatric depression but dramatically affects individuals’ quality of life. Acupuncture is extensively used to treat tumor-related depression, but the effect of body acupuncture on tumor-related depression is still unsubstantiated. This work, therefore, set out to assess the effect of acupuncture on tumor-related depression.MethodsEight databases were searched from inception to October 2022 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Two researchers separately implemented the database search, study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment. All analyses were performed by using Review Manager 5.3.ResultsA total of 10 studies, including 725 participants, were included. A majority of studies recruited patients diagnosed with various tumor types and statuses. Meta-analysis revealed that acupuncture had a beneficial effect compared with usual care on the Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) (mean difference (MD) = −2.23, 95% CI [−4.43, −0.03], p = 0.05), self-rating depression scale (SDS) (MD= −6.22, 95% CI [−10.67, −1.78], p = 0.006), effective rate (RR = 1.23, 95% CI [1.06, 1.43], p = 0.006), and quality-of-life questionnaire (QLQ-C30) (MD = 6.08, 95% CI [3.72, 8.43], p&lt;0.0001). In the dimension of the HAMD (MD = −4.41, 95% CI [−6.77, −2.05], p = 0.0002) and SDS (MD = −9.19, 95% CI [−13.14, −5.24], p &lt;0.00001), subgroup analysis also highlighted that acupuncture combined with usual care had an advantage over usual care. However, there was no superiority in acupuncture itself compared to usual care on the HAMD (MD = −1.25, 95% CI [−4.34, −1.84], p = 0.43) and SDS (MD = −3.08, 95% CI [−11.14, 4.98], p = 0.45). Acupuncture also reduced the incidence of adverse effects (RR=0.43, 95% CI [0.23, 0.80], p = 0.008).ConclusionAcupuncture is a safe and effective complementary therapy for tumor-related depression. This technique can provide clinical references for the medical field.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier CRD42022372513.
Exploring autonomic modulation: day-to-day recovery after exercise sessions in breast cancer survivors
Authors: Lavín-Pérez Ana Myriam , Collado-Mateo Daniel , Hinojo González Carmen , de Juan Ferré Ana , Ruisánchez Villar Cristina , Mayo Xián , Jiménez Alfonso 
Published: August 2023

PurposeThe current study aimed to analyze the changes in heart rate variability (HRV) 24h, 48h and 72h after exercise sessions in breast cancer survivors.MethodsSixteen survivors who had undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy were included. Participants trained resistance and cardiovascular components 3 times per week. The intervention was supervised and delivered online for 4 weeks. In this period, patients measured their HRV daily obtaining the lnrMSSD and lnSDNN values of: day 0 (the morning of the training sessions), 24h, 48h and 72h after exercise.ResultsSignificant changes in lnrMSSD (p=0.015) and lnSDNN (p=0.031) during recovery times and lnSDNN during the weeks were found (p=0.015). The most prominent differences were identified between the baseline measurement taken on day 0 and 24h after exercise (p=0.007 and p=0.048, respectively) and between measurements obtained 24h and 48h after the training session (p=0.019 and p=0.026, respectively).ConclusionOur study suggests that patients may decrease their lnrMSSD and lnSDNN values 24h after exercise and they were close to recover 48h after the sessions. In this regard, HRV may be an useful tool to monitor their recovery and exercise tolerance.
Intertrack interaction at ultra-high dose rates and its role in the FLASH effect
Authors: Baikalov Alexander , Abolfath Ramin , Schüler Emil , Mohan Radhe , Wilkens Jan J. , Bartzsch Stefan 
Published: August 2023

Background: The mechanism responsible for the FLASH effect remains undetermined yet critical to the clinical translation of FLASH radiotherapy. The potential role of intertrack interactions in the FLASH effect, arising from the high spatio-temporal concentrations of particle tracks at UHDRs, has been widely discussed but its influence is unknown.Methods: We construct an analytical model of the distribution, diffusive evolution, and chemical interaction of particle tracks in an irradiated target. We fit parameters of the model to Monte Carlo (MC) simulations of electron tracks, and include the effects of scavenging capacities of different target media. We compare the model’s predictions to MC simulations of many interacting electron tracks, and use the comparison to predict the prevalence of intertrack interactions in the parameter space where the FLASH effect is observed in vivo, and where differential reactive species (RS) yields have been observed in aqua.Results: MC simulations of interacting electron tracks demonstrate negligible changes in RS yields at 12 Gy both in oxygenated water and in cellular scavenging conditions, but significant changes at 58 Gy in oxygenated water. The model fits well to the simulation data, and predicts that pulse doses >90Gy delivered in 0.5 μs would be necessary for intertrack interactions to affect RS yields in cellular scavenging conditions, and >13Gy in 0.5 μs for water at 4% O2. The model defines optimal beam parameters (e.g., dose, pulse width, LET) to maximize intertrack interactions, and indicates that decreasing the pulse width of electron pulses further below ≈0.5 μs has no effect on intertrack interactions.Conclusion: The results of the MC simulations indicate that intertrack interactions do not play a role in the parameters space where the FLASH effect is observed. However, potentially critical limitations in the simulations performed provide the possibility that intertrack interactions occur much more readily than predicted. More accurate simulations, as well as experimental characterization of RS yields across the pulse parameter space, are necessary to more confidently confirm or deny the role of intertrack interactions in the FLASH effect.
Non-invasive monitoring of intracranial pressure changes: healthy volunteers study
Authors: Roldan Maria , Bradley George R. E. , Mejía-Mejía Elisa , Abay Tomas Y. , Kyriacou Panayiotis A. 
Published: August 2023

Objective: This research aims to evaluate the possible association between pulsatile near infrared spectroscopic waveform features and induced changes in intracranial pressure in healthy volunteers.Methods: An optical intracranial pressure sensor was attached to the forehead of 16 healthy volunteers. Pulsatile near infrared spectroscopic signals were acquired from the forehead during body position changes and Valsalva manoeuvers. Features were extracted from the pulsatile signals and analyses were carried out to investigate the presence of statistical differences in the features when intracranial pressure changes were induced. Classification models were developed utilizing the features extracted from the pulsatile near-infrared spectroscopic signals to classify between different body positions and Valsalva manoeuvre.Results: The presence of significant differences in the majority of the analyzed features (p < 0.05) indicates the technique’s ability to distinguish between variations in intracranial pressure. Furthermore, the disparities observed in the optical signal features captured by the proximal and distal photodetectors support the hypothesis that alterations in back-scattered light directly correspond to brain-related changes. Further research is required to subtract distal and proximal signals and construct predictive models employing a gold standard measurement for non-invasive, continuous monitoring of intracranial pressure.Conclusion: The study investigated the use of pulsatile near infrared spectroscopic signals to detect changes in intracranial pressure in healthy volunteers. The results revealed significant differences in the features extracted from these signals, demonstrating a correlation with ICP changes induced by positional changes and Valsalva manoeuvre. Classification models were capable of identifying changes in ICP using features from optical signals from the brain, with a sensitivity ranging from 63.07% to 80% and specificity ranging from 60.23% to 70% respectively. These findings underscored the potential of these features to effectively identify alterations in ICP.Significance: The study’s results demonstrate the feasibility of using features extracted from optical signals from the brain to detect changes in ICP induced by positional changes and Valsalva manoeuvre in healthy volunteers. This represents a first step towards the non-invasive monitoring of intracranial pressure.
Trajectories across the healthy adult lifespan on sense of direction, spatial anxiety, and attitude in exploring places
Authors: Muffato Veronica , Miola Laura , Pazzaglia Francesca , Meneghetti Chiara 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionSelf-evaluations about orientation and navigation in the environment contribute to individual differences in spatial cognition. Evidence suggests that they may change, even slightly, with the progression of adulthood. It is necessary to improve the framing of environment-related subjective self-evaluations in adulthood and aging by examining how they change and the factors related to them. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the developmental trajectories of sense of direction, spatial anxiety, and attitude in exploring place across the adult lifespan while also considering gender and education.Materials and methodsA sample of 1,946 participants (1,068 women), aged 18–87 years, completed the sense of direction and spatial representation, spatial anxiety, and attitude in exploring scales.ResultsThe regression models showed a linear increase in sense of direction with age, stable spatial anxiety until age 66 years when anxiety began increasing, and a stable attitude in exploring with a deflection by age 71 years. Gender played a role in all three types of self-evaluations, with men reporting higher ratings in sense of direction and attitude toward exploring (especially in older men), and lower levels of spatial anxiety than women did. Education also played a role, with higher education years associated with lower ratings in spatial anxiety and a higher sense of direction, nullifying gender differences in the latter.DiscussionThese results offer, in the spatial cognition framework, a better understanding of how specific environment-related self-evaluations develop with age and related factors, such as education. This underscores the importance of enhancing them, particularly in women and older adults.