bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Magnitude and associated factors of adverse perinatal outcomes among women with oligohydramnios at 3rd trimester at University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, North West Ethiopia
Authors: Molla Mezigebu , Mengistu Zelalem , Tsehaye Winta , Sisay Getasew 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundOligohydramnios is a pregnancy condition characterized by low volume of amniotic fluid. Based on ultrasound measurement, it is defined as a single maximum vertical pocket of liquor less than 2 cm or summation of four quadrants vertical pockets of liquor measurement less than 5 cm. It is associated with multiple adverse perinatal outcomes (APO) and complicates 0.5%–5% of pregnancies.ObjectiveTo assess magnitude and associated factors of adverse perinatal outcome among women with oligohydramnios at 3rd trimester at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, North West EthiopiaMethodsInstitution based cross-sectional study was employed from April 1 to September 30, 2021 in which 264 participants were involved. All women with oligohydramnios at 3rd trimester who meet the inclusion criteria were included. Semi- structured questionnaire was used for data collection after Pre-tested. Collected data was checked for completeness; clarity then coded and entered using Epi data version 4.6.0.2 then exported to STATA version 14.1 for analysis.ResultThe magnitude of APO was 46.6% (95%CI: 40.5–52.7%). Null parity [AOR =  2.2, 95%CI (1.2–4.2)], presence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) [AOR = 4.9, 95%CI (2.0–12.1)] and presence of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) [AOR = 8.4, 95%CI (3.5–20.2)] were found to be predictors of APO.ConclusionThird trimester oligohydramnios is associated with APO. The presence of HDP, IUGR and being nulliparous were predictors of APO.
Retinal structural and microvascular changes in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: An OCT/OCTA study
Authors: Lang Yanlin , Kwapong William Robert , Kong Lingyao , Shi Ziyan , Wang Xiaofei , Du Qin , Wu Bo , Zhou Hongyu 
Published: January 2023

PurposeTo compare the optical coherence tomography (OCT)/OCT angiography (OCTA) measures in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease (MOGAD).MethodsTwenty-one MOG, 21 NMOSD, and 22 controls were enrolled in our study. The retinal structure [retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell–inner plexiform layer (GCIPL)] was imaged and assessed with the OCT; OCTA was used to image the macula microvasculature [superficial vascular plexus (SVP), intermediate capillary plexus (ICP), and deep capillary plexus (DCP)]. Clinical information such as disease duration, visual acuity, and frequency of optic neuritis and disability was recorded for all patients.ResultsCompared with NMOSD patients, MOGAD patients showed significantly reduced SVP density (P = 0.023). No significant difference (P &gt; 0.05) was seen in the microvasculature and structure when NMOSD-ON was compared with MOG-ON. In NMOSD patients, EDSS, disease duration, reduced visual acuity, and frequency of ON significantly correlated (P &lt; 0.05) with SVP and ICP densities; in MOGAD patients, SVP correlated with EDSS, duration, reduced visual acuity, and frequency of ON (P &lt; 0.05), while DCP density correlated with disease duration, visual acuity, and frequency of ON.ConclusionsDistinct structural and microvascular changes were identified in MOGAD patients compared with NMOSD patients suggesting that the pathological mechanisms are different in NMOSD and MOGAD. Retinal imaging via the SS-OCT/OCTA might have the potential to be used as a clinical tool to evaluate the clinical features associated with NMOSD and MOGAD.
Association between human leukocyte antigen and immunosuppressive treatment outcomes in Chinese patients with aplastic anemia
Authors: Chen Lingyun , Ge Meili , Huo Jiali , Ren Xiang , Shao Yingqi , Li Xingxin , Huang Jinbo , Wang Min , Nie Neng , Zhang Jing , Peng Jin , Zheng Yizhou 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundActivated cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) recognize the auto-antigens presented on hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) through class I human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules and play an important role in the immune pathogenesis of aplastic anemia (AA). Previous reports demonstrated that HLA was related to the disease susceptibility and response to immunosuppressive therapy (IST) in AA patients. Recent studies have indicated that specific HLA allele deletions, which helped AA patients to evade CTL-driven autoimmune responses and escape from immune surveillance, may lead to high-risk clonal evolution. Therefore, HLA genotyping has a particular predictive value for the response to IST and the risk of clonal evolution. However, there are limited studies on this topic in the Chinese population.MethodsTo explore the value of HLA genotyping in Chinese patients with AA, 95 AA patients treated with IST were retrospectively investigated.ResultsThe alleles HLA-B*15:18 and HLA-C*04:01 were associated with a superior long-term response to IST (P = 0.025; P = 0.027, respectively), while the allele HLA-B*40:01 indicated an inferior result (P = 0.02). The allele HLA-A*01:01 and HLA-B*54:01 were associated with high-risk clonal evolution (P = 0.032; P = 0.01, respectively), and the former had a higher frequency in very severe AA (VSAA) patients than that in severe AA (SAA) patients (12.7% vs 0%, P = 0.02). The HLA-DQ*03:03 and HLA-DR*09:01 alleles were associated with high-risk clonal evolution and poor long-term survival in patients aged ≥40 years. Such patients may be recommended for early allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation rather than the routine IST treatment.ConclusionHLA genotype has crucial value in predicting the outcome of IST and long-term survival in AA patients, and thus may assist an individualized treatment strategy.
Novel method to quantify peptidylarginine deiminase activity shows distinct citrullination patterns in rheumatoid and juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Yu Karen , Dillemans Luna , Gouwy Mieke , Bessa Helena , Metzemaekers Mieke , Martens Erik , Matthys Patrick , Bossuyt Xavier , Verschueren Patrick , Wouters Carine , De Somer Lien , Proost Paul 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionPeptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) mediate citrullination, an irreversible posttranslational modification that converts arginine to citrulline residues in proteins. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by unique autoantibodies that recognize citrullinated peptides, which are highly specific for this disease. However, the mechanism preceding the anti-citrulline response remains largely unclear. PAD enzymes are known to fuel the autoimmune response by generating autoreactive epitopes, and sustain local synovial inflammation through neutrophil extracellular trap formation. Therefore, detecting endogenous PAD activity is important to understand the pathogenesis of arthritis.MethodsIn this study, we improved a fluorescent in vitro assay to enable endogenous PAD activity characterization in complex samples. We combine the use of an in-house synthetic, arginine-rich substrate and a negatively charged dye molecule to visualize enzyme activity.ResultsThis pioneering PAD assay allowed profiling of active citrullination in leukocytes and in local and systemic samples of an arthritis cohort. Our results reveal that RA and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) synovial fluids display similar levels of PAD activity. In contrast, citrullination was limited in joints of patients suffering from gout or Lyme’s disease. Interestingly, in blood, a higher level of extracellular citrullination was only found in anti-CCP-positive RA patients.DiscussionOur finding suggests that enhanced synovial PAD activity drives the loss in tolerance towards citrullinated proteins and that systemic citrullination may indicate the risk for developing citrulline-specific autoimmunity.
Changes of natural killer cells’ phenotype in patients with chronic hepatitis B in intermittent interferon therapy
Authors: Bi Xiaoyue , Xie Si , Wu Shuling , Cao Weihua , Lin Yanjie , Yang Liu , Jiang Tingting , Deng Wen , Wang Shiyu , Liu Ruyu , Gao Yuanjiao , Shen Ge , Chang Min , Hao Hongxiao , Xu Mengjiao , Chen Xiaoxue , Hu Leiping , Lu Yao , Zhang Lu , Xie Yao , Li Minghui 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundTo investigate the changes of natural killer (NK) cell phenotype in the interferon alpha (IFN-α) treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and its relationship with clinical indicators.MethodsThe CHB patients who did not receive any antiviral treatment were set as initial treatment group and used pegylated interferon alpha (PEG-IFN α). Peripheral blood samples were collected at baseline, 4 weeks, and 12-24 weeks. For IFN-treated patients who entered the plateau were set as plateau group, and PEG-IFN α was discontinued and resumed after an interval of 12-24 weeks. Besides, we also enrolled some patients who had received oral drug for more than 6 months as oral drug group without follow up. Peripheral blood was collected during the plateau period, which was set as baseline, and after 12-24 weeks of intermittent treatment, and after 12-24 weeks of additional treatment with PEG-IFN α. The aim of the collection was to detect hepatitis B virus (HBV) virology, serology and biochemical indicators, and the NK cell related phenotype was detected by flow cytometry.ResultsIn the plateau group, subgroup of CD69+CD56dim was higher with statistical significance when comparing with the initial treatment group and oral drug group [10.49 (5.27, 19.07) vs 5.03 (3.67, 8.58), Z = -3.11, P = 0.002; 10.49 (5.27, 19.07) vs 4.04 (1.90, 7.26), Z = -5.30, P &lt; 0.001)]. CD57+CD56dim was significantly lower than that in initial treatment group and oral drug group respectively [68.42±10.37 vs 55.85±12.87, t = 5.84, P &lt; 0.001; 76.38±9.49 vs 55.85±12.87, t = -9.65, P &lt; 0.001]. The CD56brightCD16- subgroup in the plateau group was higher with statistical significance compared with initial treatment group and oral drug group respectively [11.64 (6.05, 19.61) vs 3.58 (1.94, 5.60), Z = -6.35, P &lt; 0.001; 11.64 (6.05, 19.61) vs 2.37 (1.70, 4.30), Z = -7.74, P &lt; 0.001)]. CD57+CD56dim in the plateau group had a significant higher percentage than that at baseline after IFN discontinuation for 12-24 weeks (55.85±12.87 vs 65.95±12.94, t = -2.78, P = 0.011).ConclusionDuring the long-term treatment of IFN, the killer subgroup of NK cells is continuously depleted, leading to the differentiation of the regulatory subgroup into the killer subgroup. In the killing subgroup, although the number is continuously depleted, the activity of the subgroup is continuously increased. In the plateau phase, after stopping IFN for a period of time, the number of NK cell subsets would gradually recover, but was still lower than that in the initial treatment group.
Bovine blood derived macrophages are unable to control Coxiella burnetii replication under hypoxic conditions
Authors: Mauermeir Michael , Ölke Martha , Hayek Inaya , Schulze-Luehrmann Jan , Dettmer Katja , Oefner Peter J. , Berens Christian , Menge Christian , Lührmann Anja 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundCoxiella burnetii is a zoonotic pathogen, infecting humans, livestock, pets, birds and ticks. Domestic ruminants such as cattle, sheep, and goats are the main reservoir and major cause of human infection. Infected ruminants are usually asymptomatic, while in humans infection can cause significant disease. Human and bovine macrophages differ in their permissiveness for C. burnetii strains from different host species and of various genotypes and their subsequent host cell response, but the underlying mechanism(s) at the cellular level are unknown.MethodsC. burnetii infected primary human and bovine macrophages under normoxic and hypoxic conditions were analyzed for (i) bacterial replication by CFU counts and immunofluorescence; (ii) immune regulators by westernblot and qRT-PCR; cytokines by ELISA; and metabolites by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).ResultsHere, we confirmed that peripheral blood-derived human macrophages prevent C. burnetii replication under oxygen-limiting conditions. In contrast, oxygen content had no influence on C. burnetii replication in bovine peripheral blood-derived macrophages. In hypoxic infected bovine macrophages, STAT3 is activated, even though HIF1α is stabilized, which otherwise prevents STAT3 activation in human macrophages. In addition, the TNFα mRNA level is higher in hypoxic than normoxic human macrophages, which correlates with increased secretion of TNFα and control of C. burnetii replication. In contrast, oxygen limitation does not impact TNFα mRNA levels in C. burnetii-infected bovine macrophages and secretion of TNFα is blocked. As TNFα is also involved in the control of C. burnetii replication in bovine macrophages, this cytokine is important for cell autonomous control and its absence is partially responsible for the ability of C. burnetii to replicate in hypoxic bovine macrophages. Further unveiling the molecular basis of macrophage-mediated control of C. burnetii replication might be the first step towards the development of host directed intervention measures to mitigate the health burden of this zoonotic agent.
Evaluation of a climbing drum laminate peel test to determine the interlaminar mode I fracture toughness of thin CFRP laminates—Comparison with the standard mode I DCB test and a mandrel laminate peel test proposed by ESIS TC4
Authors: Michel Silvain , Hauf Fabian , Brunner Andreas J. 
Published: January 2023

A recently proposed mandrel laminate peel (MLP) test for quantification of delamination propagation in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites is compared with a climbing drum laminate peel (CDLP) test, and the standard quasi-static Mode I fracture test with Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) specimens. MLP and CDLP both are applicable to thin laminates, for which the Mode I DCB test is not suitable. MLP and CDLP, however, do not yield delamination initiation values. Delamination propagation resistances from the three tests performed with different types of FRP, one partly and one fully cured epoxy laminate, and one thermoplastic laminate, all with unidirectional fiber lay-up agree within about 20%. Reduction of the diameter of the climbing drum (100 mm for the standard climbing drum peel test for adhesives) indicates a minimum diameter on the order of 50 mm for the CDLP test. Additional tests with selected laminates investigated potential effects of specimen width. It is concluded that FRP laminate specimens 20 mm wide and 180 mm long are sufficient for consistent results from CDLP and MLP tests. The CDLP test yielded less scatter (around 10%), i.e., better repeatability than the MLP (round 13%) and the Mode I DCB test (around 17%). Hence, the CDLP test is considered advantageous for industrial application, also due to the simplicity of the test set-up and of the data analysis.
The association between liver fibrosis scores and chronic kidney disease
Authors: Xiong Shengjun , Wang Pengbo , Yin Shizhang , Deng Wanshu , Zhao Yuanhui , Li Wenhang , Li Zhao , Zhou Ying , Yu Shasha , Yang Hongmei , Guo Xiaofan , Sun Yingxian 
Published: January 2023

PurposeThis study aimed to clarify the relationship between liver fibrosis scores (Fibrosis-4, BARD score, and BAAT score) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).MethodsWe collected a range of data from 11,503 subjects (5,326 men and 6,177 women) from the rural regions of Northeastern China. Three liver fibrosis scores (LFSs) including fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), BARD score, and BAAT score were adopted. A logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios and the 95% confidence interval. A subgroup analysis showed the association between LFSs and CKD under different stratifications. Restricted cubic spline could further explore whether there is a linear relationship between LFSs and CKD. Finally, we used C-statistics, Net Reclassification Index (NRI), and Integrated Discrimination Improvement (IDI) to assess the effect of each LFS on CKD.ResultsThrough the baseline characteristics, we observed that LFSs were higher in the CKD population than in non-CKD. The proportion of participants with CKD also increased with LFSs. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the ORs of CKD were 6.71 (4.45–10.13) in FIB-4, 1.88 (1.29–2.75) in the BAAT score, and 1.72 (1.28–2.31) in the BARD score by comparing the high level with the low level in each LFSs. Moreover, after adding LFSs to the original risk prediction model, which consisted of age, sex, drinking, smoking, diabetes, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and mean waist circumference, we found the new models have higher C-statistics. Furthermore, NRI and IDI both indicate LFSs had a positive effect on the model.ConclusionsOur study showed that LFSs are associated with CKD among middle-aged populations in rural areas of northeastern China.
Analysis of serum antioxidant capacity and gut microbiota in calves at different growth stages in Tibet
Authors: Zhang Xinyu , Cao Zhijun , Yang Hongjian , Wang Yajing , Wang Wei , Li Shengli 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionThe hypoxic environment at high altitudes poses a major physiological challenge to animals, especially young animals, as it disturbs the redox state and induces intestinal dysbiosis. Information about its effects on Holstein calves is limited.MethodsHere, serum biochemical indices and next-generation sequencing were used to explore serum antioxidant capacity, fecal fermentation performance, and fecal microbiota in Holstein calves aged 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 months in Tibet.Results and DiscussionSerum antioxidant capacity changed with age, with the catalase and malondialdehyde levels significantly decreasing (p &lt; 0.05), and superoxide dismutase levels significantly increasing (p &lt; 0.05) with age. No significant differences (p &gt; 0.05) in total volatile fatty acid levels were noted between the groups. In all groups, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria were the three most dominant phyla in the gut. Gut microbial alpha diversity significantly increased (p &lt; 0.05) with age. Principal coordinate analysis plot based on Bray–Curtis dissimilarity revealed significant differences (p = 0.001) among the groups. Furthermore, the relative abundance of various genera changed dynamically with age, and the serum antioxidant capacity was associated with certain gut bacteria. The study provides novel insights for feeding Holstein calves in high-altitude regions.
Studies on alpha-synuclein and islet amyloid polypeptide interaction
Authors: Wang Ye , Bergström Joakim , Ingelsson Martin , Westermark Gunilla T. 
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Parkinson’s disease and type 2 diabetes have both elements of local amyloid depositions in their pathogenesis. In Parkinson’s disease, alpha-synuclein (aSyn) forms insoluble Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites in brain neurons, and in type 2 diabetes, islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) comprises the amyloid in the islets of Langerhans. In this study, we assessed the interaction between aSyn and IAPP in human pancreatic tissues, both ex vivo and in vitro.Material and Methods: The antibody-based detection techniques, proximity ligation assay (PLA), and immuno-TEM were used for co-localization studies. Bifluorescence complementation (BiFC) was used for interaction studies between IAPP and aSyn in HEK 293 cells. The Thioflavin T assay was used for studies of cross-seeding between IAPP and aSyn. ASyn was downregulated with siRNA, and insulin secretion was monitored using TIRF microscopy.Results: We demonstrate intracellular co-localization of aSyn with IAPP, while aSyn is absent in the extracellular amyloid deposits. ASyn reactivity is present in the secretory granules of β-cells and some α-cells in human islets. The BiFC-expression of aSyn/aSyn and IAPP/IAPP in HEK293 cells resulted in 29.3% and 19.7% fluorescent cells, respectively, while aSyn/IAPP co-expression resulted in ∼10% fluorescent cells. Preformed aSyn fibrils seeded IAPP fibril formation in vitro, but adding preformed IAPP seeds to aSyn did not change aSyn fibrillation. In addition, mixing monomeric aSyn with monomeric IAPP did not affect IAPP fibril formation. Finally, the knockdown of endogenous aSyn did not affect β cell function or viability, nor did overexpression of aSyn affect β cell viability.Discussion: Despite the proximity of aSyn and IAPP in β-cells and the detected capacity of preformed aSyn fibrils to seed IAPP in vitro, it is still an open question if an interaction between the two molecules is of pathogenic significance for type 2 diabetes.
Regional high iron deposition on quantitative susceptibility mapping correlates with cognitive decline in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Hu Rui , Gao Bingbing , Tian Shiyun , Liu Yangyingqiu , Jiang Yuhan , Li Wanyao , Li Yuan , Song Qingwei , Wang Weiwei , Miao Yanwei 
Published: January 2023

ObjectiveTo quantitatively evaluate the iron deposition and volume changes in deep gray nuclei according to threshold-method of quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) acquired by strategically acquired gradient echo (STAGE) sequence, and to analyze the correlation between the magnetic susceptibility values (MSV) and cognitive scores in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.MethodsTwenty-nine patients with T2DM and 24 healthy controls (HC) matched by age and gender were recruited in this prospective study. QSM images were used to evaluate whole-structural volumes (Vwh), regional magnetic susceptibility values (MSVRII), and volumes (VRII) in high-iron regions in nine gray nuclei. All QSM data were compared between groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to assess the discriminating ability between groups. The predictive model from single and combined QSM parameters was also established using logistic regression analysis. The correlation between MSVRII and cognitive scores was further analyzed. Multiple comparisons of all statistical values were corrected by false discovery rate (FDR). A statistically significant P-value was set at 0.05.ResultsCompared with HC group, the MSVRII of all gray matter nuclei in T2DM were increased by 5.1–14.8%, with significant differences found in bilateral head of caudate nucleus (HCN), right putamen (PUT), right globus pallidus (GP), and left dentate nucleus (DN) (P &lt; 0.05). The Vwh of most gray nucleus in T2DM group were decreased by 1.5–16.9% except bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN). Significant differences were found in bilateral HCN, bilateral red nucleus (RN), and bilateral substantia nigra (SN) (P &lt; 0.05). VRII was increased in bilateral GP, bilateral PUT (P &lt; 0.05). VRII/Vwh was also increased in bilateral GP, bilateral PUT, bilateral SN, left HCN and right STN (P &lt; 0.05). Compared with the single QSM parameter, the combined parameter showed the largest area under curve (AUC) of 0.86, with a sensitivity of 87.5% and specificity of 75.9%. The MSVRII in the right GP was strongly associated with List A Long-delay free recall (List A LDFR) scores (r = −0.590, P = 0.009).ConclusionIn T2DM patients, excessive and heterogeneous iron deposition as well as volume loss occurs in deep gray nuclei. The MSV in high iron regions can better evaluate the distribution of iron, which is related to the decline of cognitive function.