bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum polychlorinated biphenyl levels and circulating miRNAs in non-obese women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Brennan Edwina , Butler Alexandra E. , Drage Daniel S. , Sathyapalan Thozhukat , Atkin Stephen L. 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionPolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organic lipophilic pollutants that accumulate through diet and increase with age, have been associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and shown to affect microRNA (miRNA) expression. This work aimed to determine if PCBs were associated with circulating miRNAs and whether there were any correlations with serum PCB/miRNA levels and hormonal changes.Methods29 non-obese PCOS and 29 healthy control women, with similar age and body mass index (BMI), had their serum miRNAs measured together with 7 indicator PCBs (PCB28, PCB52, PCB101, PCB118, PCB138, PCB153, PCB180) using high resolution gas chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry.ResultsIn the combined study cohort, four miRNAs (hsa-miR-139-5p, hsa-miR-424-5p, hsa-miR-195-5p, hsa-miR-335-5p) correlated with PCBs, but none correlated with metabolic parameters. hsa-miR-335-5p correlated with FSH. When stratified, 25 miRNAs correlated with PCBs in controls compared to only one (hsa-miR-193a-5p) in PCOS; none of these miRNAs correlated with the metabolic parameters of BMI, insulin resistance, or inflammation (C-reactive protein, CRP). However, of these 25 miRNAs in controls, hsa-miR-26a-5p, hsa-miR-193a-5p, hsa-miR-2110 and hsa-miR-195-5p positively correlated with luteinizing hormone (LH), hsa-miR-99b-5p and hsa-miR-146b-5p correlated with estradiol, hsa-miR-193a-5p correlated with progesterone, hsa-miR-195-5p correlated with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and hsa-miR-139-5p and hsa-miR-146b-5p negatively correlated with anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) (all p&lt;0.05). hsa-miR-193a-5p in PCOS cases correlated with estradiol.ConclusionIn this cohort of women, with no difference in age and BMI, and with similar PCB levels, the miRNAs correlating to PCBs associated with menstrual cycle factors in healthy menstruating controls versus the anovulatory PCOS subjects. The PCB-associated miRNAs did not correlate with non-reproductive hormonal and metabolic parameters. This suggests that PCB effects on miRNAs may result in changes to the hypothalamo-ovarian axis that may thus affect fertility.
Identification of biomarkers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis responsive to DMARDs but with progressive bone erosion
Authors: Marasco Emiliano , Fabbriciani Gianluigi , Rotunno Laura , Longhi Matteo , De Luca Paola , de Girolamo Laura , Colombini Alessandra 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that may cause joint destruction and disability. The pharmacological treatment of RA aims at obtaining disease remission by effectively ceasing joint inflammation and arresting progressive bone erosions. Some patients present bone lesions accrual even after controlling joint inflammation with current therapies. Our study aimed to analyze lymphocyte subsets and levels of circulating cytokines in patients with RA with progressive bone erosions.MethodsWe enrolled 20 patients with a diagnosis of RA and 12 healthy donors (HD). Patients with RA were divided into patients with bone erosions (RA-BE+) and without bone erosions (RA-BE-). Lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood were evaluated by flow cytometry. Circulating cytokines levels were evaluated by protein array.ResultsThe distribution of lymphocyte subsets was not able to separate HD from AR patients and RA-BE+ and RA-BE- in cluster analysis. We observed a significant expansion of CXCR5- PD1+ T peripheral helper cells (Tph cells) and a reduction in both total memory B cells and switched memory B cells in RA patients compared to HD. We observed an expansion in the frequency of total B cells in RA-BE+ patients compared to RA-BE- patients. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis of 39 cytokines resulted in a fairly good separation of HD from RA patients but not of RA-BE+ patients from RA-BE- patients. RA-BE+ patients showed significantly higher levels of IL-11 and IL-17A than RA-BE- patients.ConclusionWe show that patients with progressive erosive disease are characterized by abnormalities in B cells and in cytokines with a proven role in bone reabsorption. Understanding the role played by B cells and the cytokine IL-11 and IL-17A in progressive erosive disease can help identify novel biomarkers of erosive disease and design treatment approaches aimed at halting joint damage in RA.
Cyclic axial compressive performance of hybrid double-skin tubular square columns
Authors: Wang Dai , Yuan Jian Song , Li Yunchu , Fu Quanchao , Zhang Hengchang 
Published: September 2023

This paper presents an experimental study on the cyclic axial compressive behavior of FRP-concrete-steel hybrid double-skin tubular columns. The square column specimens were cast with an external Fiber Reinforced Polymer jackets, inner steel tube and concrete in between. The height of the columns was 500 mm and the side dimension was 150 mm. The effects of loading scheme, void ratio and diameter-thickness ratio on axial compression behavior were investigated. A total of eight columns were tested under monotonic and cyclic axial compression. The experimental results show that the effect of loading scheme on axial stress-strain envelope curve and the peak load were not significant, and the ultimate state of the square columns subjected to cyclic axial compression was very similar to that of specimens subjected to monotonic axial compression. Besides, compared with void ratio, the diameter-thickness ratio of the inner steel tube has significant influence on the peak load of the columns when subjected to cyclic axial compression.
Early referring saved lives in kidney transplant recipients with COVID-19: a beneficial role of telemedicine
Authors: Zahradka Ivan , Petr Vojtech , Jakubov Katarina , Modos Istvan , Hruby Filip , Viklicky Ondrej 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionThere is a strong impetus for the use of telemedicine for boosting early detection rates and enabling early treatment and remote monitoring of COVID-19 cases, particularly in chronically ill patients such as kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). However, data regarding the effectiveness of this practice are lacking.MethodsIn this retrospective, observational study with prospective data gathering we analyzed the outcomes of all confirmed COVID-19 cases (n = 955) in KTRs followed at our center between March 1, 2020, and April 30, 2022. Risk factors of COVID-19 related mortality were analyzed with focus on the role of early referral to the transplant center, which enabled early initiation of treatment and remote outpatient management. This proactive approach was dependent on the establishment and use of a telemedicine system, which facilitated patient-physician communication and expedited diagnostics and treatment. The main exposure evaluated was early referral of KTRs to the transplantation center after confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection. The primary outcome was the association of early referral to the transplantation center with the risk of death within 30 days following a COVID-19 diagnosis, evaluated by logistic regression.ResultsWe found that KTRs who referred their illness to the transplant center late had a higher 30-day mortality (4.5 vs. 13.6%, p &lt; 0.001). Thirty days mortality after the diagnosis of COVID-19 was independently associated with late referral to the transplant center (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.08–3.98, p = 0.027), higher age (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.05–1.13, p &lt; 0.001), higher body mass index (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01–1.12, p = 0.03), and lower eGFR (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94–0.98, p &lt; 0.001) in multivariable logistic regression. Furthermore, KTRs who contacted the transplant center late were older, had longer time from transplantation, lived farther from the center and presented with higher Charlson comorbidity index.DiscussionA well-organized telemedicine program can help to protect KTRs during an infectious disease outbreak by facilitating pro-active management and close surveillance. Furthermore, these results can be likely extrapolated to other vulnerable populations, such as patients with chronic kidney disease, diabetes or autoimmune diseases requiring the use of immunosuppression.
Fecal microbial and metabolic characteristics of swine from birth to market
Authors: He Huan , Yang Mingzhi , Li Wentao , Lu Zeqing , Wang Yizhen , Jin Mingliang 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionRecently, the research on pig intestinal microbiota has become a hot topic in the field of animal husbandry. There are few articles describing the dynamic changes of porcine fecal microbiota and metabolites at different time points from birth to market.MethodsIn the present study, 381 fecal samples were collected from 633 commercial pigs at 7 time points, including the 1st day, the 10th day, the 25th day, the 45th day, the 70th day, the 120th day, and the 180th day after the birth of swine, were used for microbiome analysis by Illumina MiSeq sequencing methods while 131 fecal samples from 3 time points, the 10th day, the 25th day, and 70th day after birth, were used for metabolome analysis by LC–MS methods.ResultsFor the microbiome analysis, the fecal microbial richness increased over time from day 1 to 180 and the β-diversity of fecal microbiota was separated significantly at different time points. Firmicutes were the main phyla from day 10 to 180, followed by Bacteroides. The abundance of Lactobacillus increased significantly on day 120 compared with the previous 4 time points. From day 120 to day 180, the main porcine fecal microbes were Lactobacillus, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Terrisporobacter and Streptococcus. Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 and Terrisporobacter increased over time, while Lactobacillus, Escherichia-Shigella, Lachnoclostridium decreased with the time according to the heatmap, which showed the increase or decrease in microbial abundance over time. For the metabolome analysis, the PLS-DA plot could clearly distinguish porcine fecal metabolites on day 10, 25, and 70. The most different metabolic pathways of the 3 time points were Tryptophan metabolism, Sphingolipid signaling pathway, Protein digestion and absorption. Some metabolites increased significantly over time, such as Sucrose, L-Arginine, Indole, 2,3-Pyridinedicarboxylic acid and so on, while D-Maltose, L-2-Aminoadipic acid, 2,6-diaminohexanoic acid, L-Proline were opposite. The correlation between fecal metabolites and microbiota revealed that the microbes with an increasing trend were positively correlated with the metabolites affecting the tryptophan metabolic pathway from the overall trend, while the microbes with a decreasing trend were opposite. In addition, the microbes with an increasing trend were negatively correlated with the metabolites affecting the lysine pathway.DiscussionIn conclusion, this study elucidated the dynamic changes of porcine fecal microbiota and metabolites at different stages from birth to market, which may provide a reference for a comprehensive understanding of the intestinal health status of pigs at different growth stages.
Composition and diversity of gut microbiota across developmental stages of Spodoptera frugiperda and its effect on the reproduction
Authors: Fu Junrui , Wang Junhan , Huang Ximei , Guan Boyang , Feng Qili , Deng Huimin 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionSpodoptera frugiperda is a serious world-wide agricultural pest. Gut microorganisms play crucial roles in growth, development, immunity and behavior of host insects.MethodsHere, we reported the composition of gut microbiota in a laboratory-reared strain of S. frugiperda using 16S rDNA sequencing and the effects of gut microbiota on the reproduction.ResultsProteobacteria and Firmicutes were the predominant bacteria and the taxonomic composition varied during the life cycle. Alpha diversity indices indicated that the eggs had higher bacterial diversity than larvae, pupae and adults. Furthermore, eggs harbored a higher abundance of Ralstonia, Sediminibacterium and microbes of unclassified taxonomy. The dynamics changes in bacterial communities resulted in differences in the metabolic functions of the gut microbiota during development. Interestingly, the laid eggs in antibiotic treatment groups did not hatch much due to the gut dysbacteriosis, the results showed gut microbiota had a significant impact on the male reproduction.DiscussionOur findings provide new perspectives to understand the intricate associations between microbiota and host, and have value for the development of S. frugiperda management strategies focusing on the pest gut microbiota.
A replicative recombinant HPV16 E7 expression virus upregulates CD36 in C33A cells
Authors: Shao Yunting , Wang Peng , Zheng Yunji , Cui Hongtu , Lou Zhangrong , Li Shanhu , Huang Fang , Wu Chengjun 
Published: September 2023

ObjectiveIn past decades, the role of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) infection in cancer pathogenesis has been extensively studied. The viral E7 protein expressed in pre-malignant cells has been identified as an ideal target for immunological intervention. However, the cultivation of HPV in vitro remains a significant challenge, as well as the lack of methods for expressing the HPV E7 protein and generating replication-competent recombinant viral particles, which posed a major obstacle to further exploration of the function and carcinogenic mechanisms of the E7 oncoprotein. Therefore, it is imperative to investigate novel methodologies to construct replication-competent recombinant viral particles that express the HPV E7 protein to facilitate the study of its function.MethodsWe initiated the construction of recombinant viral particles by utilizing the ccdB-Kan forward/reverse screening system in conjunction with the Red/ExoCET recombinant system. We followed the infection of C33A cells with the obtained recombinant virus to enable the continuous expression of HPV16 E7. Afterwards, the total RNA was extracted and performed transcriptome sequencing using RNA-Seq technology to identify differentially expressed genes associated with HPV-induced oncogenicity.ResultsWe successfully established replicative recombinant viral particles expressing HPV16 E7 stably and continuously. The C33A cells were infected with recombinant viral particles to achieve overexpression of the E7 protein. Subsequently, RNA-Seq analysis was conducted to assess the changes in host cell gene expression. The results revealed an upregulation of the CD36 gene, which is associated with the HPV-induced oncogenic pathways, including PI3K-Akt and p53 signaling pathway. qRT-PCR analysis further identified that the upregulation of the CD36 gene due to the expression of HPV16 E7.ConclusionThe successful expression of HPV16 E7 in cells demonstrates that the replicated recombinant virus retains the replication and infection abilities of Ad4, while also upregulating the CD36 gene involved in the PI3K-Akt signaling and p53 pathways, thereby promoting cell proliferation. The outcome of this study provides a novel perspective and serves as a solid foundation for further exploration of HPV-related carcinogenesis and the development of replicative HPV recombinant vaccines capable of inducing protective immunity against HPV.
Health factors associated with cognitive frailty in older adults living in the community
Authors: Corral-Pérez Juan , Casals Cristina , Ávila-Cabeza-de-Vaca Laura , González-Mariscal Andrea , Martínez-Zaragoza Ildefonsa , Villa-Estrada Francisca , Reina-Campos Remedios , Vázquez-Sánchez María Á. 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionThis study aims to investigate the health factors associated with cognitive frailty in frail and pre-frail older adults living in the community.MethodsA total of 233 older adults meeting Fried’s criteria for pre-frailty or frailty were included. Cognitive status was evaluated using the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire. Health factors encompassed nutritional status (evaluated using the Mini Nutritional Assessment tool, body mass index, and waist, arm, and leg circumferences), physical function (assessed with the Short Physical Performance Battery), quality of life (measured with the total index of the EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level questionnaire - EQoL-Index -, and the Visual-Analogue Scale - QoL-VAS - for today’s health state), as well as sleep, physical activity, and inactivity estimated through wrist-worn accelerometers. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify potential predictors of cognitive frailty, considering age as a confounding factor.ResultsCognitive frail participants exhibited advanced age, heightened self-reported exhaustion, diminished overall physical performance, reduced leg perimeter, decreased engagement in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and higher levels of inactivity (all p&lt;0.05). However, after adjusting for age, only QoL-VAS emerged as a cognitive frailty risk factor (Odds ratio: 1.024), while the EQoL-Index, calf perimeter, and levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were identified as protective factors (Odds ratios: 0.025, 0.929, and 0.973, respectively).DiscussionThis study highlights the complex relationship between non-modifiable factors such as age, and modifiable factors including quality of life, nutritional status, and physical activity in the development of cognitive frailty among older adults with a frailty phenotype living in the community.
Fine periodic nanostructure formation on stainless steel and gallium arsenide with few-cycle 7-fs laser pulses
Authors: Ishihara Akihiro , Miyaji Godai 
Published: September 2023

We report the fine periodic nanostructure formation process on metal and semiconductor surfaces in air with few-cycle 7-fs laser pulses and its physical mechanism. Using appropriate peak power densities and scanning speeds for the laser pulses, nanostructures could be formed on stainless steel and gallium arsenide (GaAs) with periods of 60–110 nm and 130–165 nm, respectively, which are 1/5–1/4 of the period of nanostructures formed with 100-fs laser pulses. The periodicity can be explained as arising from the excitation of short-range propagating surface plasmon polaritons, and the observed periods are in good agreement with the model calculation results.
Parsing the contributions of negative affect vs. aversive motivation to cognitive control: an experimental investigation
Authors: Yang Qian , Si ShuangQing , Pourtois Gilles 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionPunishment is a powerful drive that fosters aversive motivation and increases negative affect. Previous studies have reported that this drive has the propensity to improve cognitive control, as shown by improved conflict processing when it is used. However, whether aversive motivation per se or negative affect eventually drives this change remains unclear because in previous work, the specific contribution of these two components could not be isolated.MethodsTo address this question, we conducted two experiments where we administered the confound minimized Stroop task to a large group of participants each time (N = 50 and N = 47 for Experiment 1 and 2, respectively) and manipulated punishment and feedback contingency using a factorial design. These two experiments were similar except that in the second one, we also measured awareness of feedback contingency at the subjective level. We reasoned that cognitive control would improve the most when punishment would be used, and the contingency between this motivational drive and performance would be reinforced, selectively.ResultsBoth experiments consistently showed that negative affect increased at the subjective level when punishment was used and the feedback was contingent on task performance, with these two effects being additive. In Experiment 1, we found that when the feedback was contingent on task performance and punishment was activated, conflict processing did not improve. In Experiment 2, we found that conflict processing improved when punishment was contingent on task performance, and participants were aware of this contingency.DiscussionThese results suggest that aversive motivation can improve conflict processing when participants are aware of the link created between punishment and performance.
Percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation compared to standard medical therapy in adolescents with functional abdominal pain disorders
Authors: Santucci Neha R. , Sahay Rashmi , El-Chammas Khalil I. , Graham Kahleb , Wheatley Mikaela , Vandenbrink Madeleine , Hardy Jennifer , Fei Lin 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionStandard medical therapy (SMT) in children with functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPD) includes cyproheptadine and amitriptyline. While percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation (PENFS) has shown benefit, no study has compared outcomes of PENFS to SMT. We aimed to examine changes in abdominal pain, nausea and disability before and after treatment and compare outcomes between treatments.MethodsThe records of FAPD patients ages 11–21 years, treated with 4 weeks of PENFS, cyproheptadine or amitriptyline were reviewed. Outcomes were evaluated using validated questionnaires [Abdominal Pain Index (API), Nausea Severity Scale (NSS), and the Functional Disability Inventory (FDI)] at baseline and follow-up within 3 months (FU).ResultOf 101 patients, 48% received PENFS, 31% cyproheptadine and 21% received amitriptyline. Median ages were 17 (15–19), 16 (15–18) and 15 (11–16) years respectively and the majority were females (75%, 90% and 52% respectively). In the PENFS group, API (p = 0.001), NSS (p = 0.059) and FDI (p = 0.048) were significantly lower at FU. API (p = 0.034) but not NSS and FDI (p &gt; 0.05) decreased significantly at FU in the amitriptyline group. API, NSS and FDI did not change significantly with cyproheptadine at FU (p &gt; 0.05). FU API scores were lower in PENFS vs. cyproheptadine (p = 0.04) but not vs. amitriptyline (p = 0.64). The FDI scores were significantly lower in the amitriptyline vs. cyproheptadine group (p = 0.03).ConclusionTherapy with PENFS showed improvements in abdominal pain, nausea and disability while amitriptyline showed improvements in abdominal pain within 3 months of treatment. PENFS was more effective than cyproheptadine in improving abdominal pain. Amitriptyline improved disability scores more than cyproheptadine and showed promise for treatment. PENFS may be a good non-pharmacologic alternative for FAPD.