bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metformin protects diabetes-induced atrial mitochondrial from oxidative stress and improves mitochondrial biogenesis via the AMPK signaling pathway
Authors: Song Yanmei , Yuan Ming , Zhang Zhiwei , Zhang Yue , Yuan Meng , Wang Hui , Liang Xue , Tse Gary , Li Guangping , Liu Tong , Zhang Xiaowei 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
Oxidative stress leads to adverse atrial remodeling in diabetes mellitus. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) agonists have been shown to prevent cardiomyocytes from oxidative stress by improving mitochondrial function, but their underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. This study investigated the molecular changes and their underlying regulatory mechanisms by the AMPK agonists, metformin and AICA ribonucleotide (AICAR).
Methods
Mouse atrial cardiomyocytes (HL-1 cells) and rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) were used as study models. A total of 40 rats were randomly divided into control, DM alone, DM treated with metformin, AICAR, or metformin with the AMPK inhibitor Compound C. Echocardiographic, hemodynamic, and electrophysiological measurements were made in vivo. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production rate and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) levels were performed in vitro. Protein expression of SOD, COX43 and mitochondrial biogenesis related proteins were measured using Western blotting.
Results
Compared with controls, the diabetes group demonstrated larger left atrial diameter and fibrosis area associated with a higher incidence of inducible atrial fibrillation (AF). Lower Mn-SOD, COX42, and mitochondrial biogenesis (PGC-1α, NRF1 and TFAM)-related proteins were observed, accompanied by mitochondrial swelling. Metformin treatment led to reversal of structural remodeling and lower inducible AF incidence, which were associated with higher Mn-SOD, COX42, and biogenesis-related proteins as well as improvement in the structure and function of mitochondria. Similar protective changes were observed following AICAR or metformin with Compound C treatment. In HL-1 cell line, compared with controls, the DM group demonstrated higher mitochondrial ROS production rat and lower MMP levels. Mn-SOD, COX42, and mitochondrial biogenesis (PGC-1α, NRF1 and TFAM)-related proteins expression were consistent with animal levels.
Conclusions
Diabetes mellitus induces adverse atrial structural, electrophysiological remodeling, and mitochondrial damage and dysfunction. Metformin prevented these abnormalities through activation of the AMPK signaling pathway.
Type 2 diabetes and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Bidirectional Two-sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Xu Guangyi , Xu Yanhong , Zheng Taohua , Liu Ting 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background Studies have shown that patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) coexisting with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have higher risk of infection, increased healthcare utilization and decreased quality of life, while currently they are not treated with more effective immunosuppressive therapy. Observational studies have shown a bidirectional association between T2DM and IBD, including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). However, because of the difficulty in determining sequential timeliness, it is unclear whether the observed associations are causal. We investigated the association between T2DM and IBD by bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to clarify the casual relationship.Methods Independent genetic variants for T2DM and IBD were selected as instruments from published genome-wide association studies (GWAS), mainly in European ancestry. Instrumental variables (IVs) associated with T2DM and IBD were extracted separately from the largest GWAS meta-analysis. MR analyses included inverse variance weighting, weighted median estimator, MR Egger regression, and sensitivity analyses with Steiger filtering and MR PRESSO.Results Genetically predicted T2DM (per log-odds ratio increase) was associated with risk for IBD. In the data samples for UC (6968 cases, 20464 controls) and CD (5956 cases, 14927 controls), the odds ratio [95% confidence interval] for T2DM on UC and CD were 0.882 (0.826,0.942), and 0.955(0.877,1.038), respectively. In contrast, among 62,892 patients with T2DM, no genetically influenced association between IBD and T2DM was observed.Conclusions The results of the bidirectional MR Study suggest that T2DM has a negative causal effect on UC, which provides implications for clinical treatment decisions in IBD patients with T2DM. The findings do not support a causal relationship between T2DM and CD, UC and T2DM, or CD and T2DM, and the impact of IBD on T2DM needs further investigation.
Relationship between arterial stiffness, left ventricular diastolic function, and renal function in IgA nephropathy
Authors: Sági Balázs , Késői István , Vas Tibor , Csiky Botond , Nagy Judit , Kovács Tibor József 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Aim.
In chronic kidney disease, IgA nephropathy, and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction have prognostic significance as well. However, the relationship between diastolic dysfunction, arterial stiffness, and renal function has not been fully elucidated.
Methods.
79 IgA nephropathy patients (aged 46 ± 11 years) and 50 controls were investigated. Tissue Doppler imaging was used to measure early (Ea) and late (Aa) diastolic velocities. Arterial stiffness was measured by a photoplethysmographic (stiffness index (SI)) and an oscillometric method (aortic pulse wave velocity (PWVao)).
Results.
We compared the IgAN patients to a similar cardiovascular risk group with a preserved eGFR. A strong correlation was found between Ea/Aa and SI (p < 0.001), also with PWVao (p < 0.001), just in IgAN, and with eGFR (p < 0.001) in both groups. IgAN patients were divided into groups CKD1-2 vs. CKD3-5. In the CKD 3–5 group, the incidence of diastolic dysfunction increased significantly: 39% vs. 72% (p = 0.003). Left ventricle rigidity (LVR) was calculated, which showed a close correlation with SI (p = 0.009) and eGFR (p = 0.038). By linear regression analysis, the independent predictors of SI were age, E/A, and E/Ea; SI was the predictor of LVR; and E/A and hypertension were the predictors of eGFR.
Conclusion.
In IgA nephropathy, increased cardiac rigidity and vascular stiffness coexist with decreased renal function, which is directly connected to diastolic dysfunction and vascular stiffness. On the basis of comparing the CKD group to the control group, vascular alterations in very early CKD can be identified.
Seasonal wild dance of dual endosymbionts in the pear psyllid Cacopsylla pyricola (Hemiptera: Psylloidea): Endosymbiont titers tell two different stories
Authors: Serbina Liliya Štarhová , Corretto Erika , Garcia Juan Sebastian Enciso , Berta Michela , Giovanelli Tobia , Dittmer Jessica , Schuler Hannes 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Most sap-feeding insects maintain obligate relationships with endosymbiotic bacteria that provide their hosts with essential nutrients. However, knowledge about the dynamics of endosymbiont titers across seasons in natural host populations is scarce. Here, we used quantitative PCR to investigate the seasonal dynamics of the dual endosymbionts “Candidatus Carsonella ruddii” and “Ca. Psyllophila symbiotica” in a natural population of the pear psyllid Cacopsylla pyricola (Hemiptera: Psylloidea: Psyllidae). Psyllid individuals were collected across an entire year, covering both summer and overwintering generations. Immatures harboured the highest titers of both endosymbionts, while the lowest endosymbiont density was observed in males. The density of Carsonella remained high and relatively stable across the vegetative period of the pear trees, but its density significantly dropped during the non-vegetative period, overlapping with C. pyricola’s reproductive diapause. In contrast, the titer of Psyllophila was consistently higher than Carsonella’s and exhibited fluctuations throughout the sampling year, which might be related to host age. Despite a tightly integrated metabolic complementarity between Carsonella and Psyllophila, our findings highlight differences in their density dynamics throughout the year, that might be linked to their metabolic roles at different life stages of the host.
Mechanism of DNA unwinding by hexameric MCM8-9 in complex with HROB
Authors: Acharya Ananya , Bret Helene , Huang Jen-Wei , Muetze Martin , Goese Martin , Kissling Vera , Seidel Ralf , Ciccia Alberto , Guérois Raphaël , Cejka Petr 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

The human MCM8-9 helicase functions in concert with HROB in the context of homologous recombination, but its precise function is unknown. To gain insights into how HROB regulates MCM8-9, we first used molecular modeling and biochemistry to define their interaction interface. We show that HROB makes important contacts with both MCM8 and MCM9 subunits, which directly promotes its DNA-dependent ATPase and helicase activities. MCM8-9-HROB preferentially binds and unwinds branched DNA structures, and single-molecule experiments reveal a low DNA unwinding processivity. MCM8-9 unwinds DNA as a hexameric complex that assembles from dimers on DNA in the presence of ATP, which is prerequisite for its helicase function. The hexamer formation thus involves two repeating protein-protein interfaces forming between the alternating MCM8 and MCM9 subunits. One of these interfaces is rather stable and forms an obligate heterodimer, while the other interface is labile and mediates the assembly of the hexamer on DNA, independently of HROB. The ATPase site composed of the subunits forming the labile interface disproportionally contributes to DNA unwinding. HROB does not affect the MCM8-9 ring formation, but promotes DNA unwinding downstream by possibly coordinating ATP hydrolysis with structural transitions accompanying translocation of MCM8-9 on DNA.
Prognostic factors in cutaneous apocrine carcinoma: A single-institution retrospective study of 32 patients
Authors: Tsuruta Seiji , Ogata Dai , Namikawa Kenjiro , Nakano Eiji , Hiki Kojiro , Okumura Mao , Matsui Yoshiyuki , Nakayama Yuichi , Wada Shogo , Yamazaki Naoya 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
Cutaneous apocrine carcinoma (CAC) is a rare adnexal carcinoma. Limited data exists on the demographics and overall survival (OS) of patients with CAC; thus, there is no consensus on surgical management. This study aimed to examine demographic and survival data of patients with CAC to determine optimal surgical management.
Methods
A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted at the National Cancer Center Hospital in Tokyo between 2005 and 2022. Patients with a histologically-confirmed CAC diagnosis were identified and data on patient demographics, OS, and lymph node (LN) status were gathered.
Results
Thirty-two patients were included (median age, 65.5 years; male-female ratio, 15:1). The most common involvement site was the axilla (87.5%). Of the nine patients in the clinical local stage, pathological LN metastases were found in five patients. Either pathological LN or distant metastases were present in 75% of the patients at initial diagnosis. The most common initial surgical treatments included wide local excision and complete LN dissection. Across cohorts, the median OS was 39 months. Patients with ≥ 4 LN metastases had reduced recurrence-free survival and OS compared to those with ≤ 3 LN metastases (p = 0.042, p = 0.041, respectively). The OS was not remarkably different between patients who did and did not receive postoperative radiation therapy.
Conclusions
Since CAC has a high rate of LN metastasis—and the number of LN metastases is a significant prognostic factor—LN evaluation should be considered for patients with CAC as initial treatment. Nonetheless, ≥ 4 LN metastases can be a poor prognostic factor for CAC.
A Hierarchical Approach for Evaluating Athlete Performance with an Application in Elite Basketball
Authors: Oliveira Thiago Paula , Newell John 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
In this paper, we present the ON score for evaluating the performance of athletes and teams that includes a season-long evaluation system, a single-game evaluation, and an evaluation of an athlete’s overall contribution. The approach used to calculate the ON score is based on mixed-effects regression models that take into account the hierarchical structure of the data and principal component analysis to calculate an athlete rating. We apply our methodology to a large dataset of NBA games spanning four seasons from 2015-2016 to 2018-2019. Our model is validated using two systematic approaches, and our results demonstrate the reliability of our approach to predict an athlete’s performance for upcoming games or seasons. This provides coaches and managers with a powerful tool to gain deeper insights into their players’ performance, make more informed decisions and ultimately improve their team’s performance. Our methodology has several key advantages. First, by incorporating the hierarchical structure of the data, we can obtain valuable information about an athlete’s contribution within their team. Second, the use of principal component analysis allows us to calculate a single score, the ON score, that captures the overall performance of an athlete. Third, our approach is based on classical restricted likelihood methods, which makes the calculation faster than Bayesian methods typically requiring 1,000 posterior samples. With our approach, coaches and managers can evaluate athletes’ performance throughout the season, compare athletes and teams over a year, and assess an athlete’s performance during a single game. Our methodology can also complement other ratings and box score metrics to provide a more comprehensive assessment of an athlete’s performance as our method uses the hierarchial nature of perfromance data (i.e. player nested within team over season) which is typically ignored in player rating systems. In summary, our methodology represents a significant contribution to the field of sports analytics and provides the foundation for future developments.
Temporal expectation makes our action more cautious: Evidence from unconscious processing
Authors: Wang Yongchun , Wang Yucheng , Li Wanzhen , Li Mingxiang , Wang Yonghui 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Unconscious motor inhibition is thought to be automatically generated when individuals encounter potentially disturbing information, so it can make the individual's actions cautious and as minimally disturbed as possible. Temporal expectation is a top-down active preparation for future events that can enhance relevant cognitive processing in the expected temporal frame. To gain further insight into how temporal expectation amplifies unconscious motor inhibition, two experiments were conducted in micro- and macro-expectation contexts, respectively, and found stronger motor inhibition when the occurrence time of a subliminal stimulus could be anticipated. The results confirm our proposed expectation-amplifier hypothesis. Specifically, greater motor readiness is elicited when individuals are highly prepared for upcoming stimuli. If the stimuli are identified as disturbing information (e.g., subliminally interrupted rather than constant stimuli), the cognitive monitoring system will automatically generate reinforcing inhibition to suppress motor readiness, temporal expectation thus makes the individual’s actions more cautious.
High uptake of menstrual health information, products and analgesics within an integrated sexual reproductive health service for young people in Zimbabwe
Authors: Tembo Mandikudza , Simms Victoria , Weiss Helen A. , Bandason Tsitsi , Redzo Nicol , Larsson Leyla , Dauya Ethel , Nzanza Tafadzwa , Ishumael Pauline , Gweshe Nancy , Nyamwanza Rangarirai , Ndlovu Precious , Bernays Sarah , Chikwari Chido Dziva , Mavodza Constancia Vimbayi , Renju Jenny , Francis Suzanna C. , Ferrand Rashida A. , Mackworth-Young Constance 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Background
Achieving good menstrual health (MH), integral to women’s well-being, remains a challenge. This study examined MH services uptake (including information, analgesics, and a choice of MH products - the menstrual cup and reusable pads) and sustained use of MH products within an integrated sexual and reproductive health intervention for young people in Zimbabwe.
Methods
This study was embedded within a cluster randomised trial of integrated sexual and reproductive health services (CHIEDZA) in three provinces (Harare, Mashonaland East, and Bulawayo). The study collected qualitative and quantitative data from female clients aged 16–24 years, who accessed CHIEDZA from April 2019 – March 2022. Uptake of MH information, products, and analgesics and other services was tracked for each client. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to investigate MH service uptake and product choice and use over time, and the factors associated with these outcomes. Thematic analysis of focus group discussions and interviews were used to further explore providers’ and participants’ experiences of the MH service and CHIEDZA intervention.
Results
Overall, 36991 clients accessed CHIEDZA of whom 27725 (75%) were female. Almost all (n = 26448; 95.4%) took up the MH service at least once: 25433 took up an MH product with the majority (23346; 92.8%) choosing reusable pads. The uptake of cups varied across province with Bulawayo province having the highest uptake (13.4%). Clients aged 20–24 years old were more likely to choose cups than reusable pads compared with those aged 16–19 years (9.4% vs 6.0%; p < 0.001). Over the implementation period, 300/1819 (16.5%) of clients swapped from the menstrual cup to reusable pads and 83/23346 (0.4%) swapped from reusable pads to the menstrual cup. Provision of the MH service encouraged uptake of other important SRH services. Qualitative findings highlighted the provision of free integrated SRH and MH services that included a choice of MH products and analgesics in a youth-friendly environment were key to high uptake and overall female engagement with SRH services.
Conclusions
High uptake demonstrates how the MH service provided much needed access to MH products and information. Integration of MH within an SRH intervention proved central to young women accessing other SRH services.
Non-GVHD enterocolitis following cord blood transplant
Authors: Bitetti Stefania , Newbould Melanie , Sethuraman Chitra , Fagbemi Andrew , Kala Adnan , Williams Nicola , Wynn Robert , Horgan Claire 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Enterocolitis is common after cord blood transplant (CBT) and a specific, non-GVHD entity with specific histopathologic features (“cord colitis”) has been described in certain cases in selected series. We conducted a blinded histopathological review of gastrointestinal (GI) biopsy specimens over an 11-year period from all patients who had intestinal failure requiring endoscopic evaluation post CBT. Out of 144 patients who underwent a CBT over the study period, 25 (17%) experienced intestinal failure requiring endoscopy. 13 patients were diagnosed with acute GVHD after blinded review of their biopsy and 12 patients had non-GVHD enterocolitis. The management, in the absence of GVHD on GI biopsy, is supportive with withdrawal of immune suppression in those with malignant disease and continuing as per institutional practice in non-malignant disease. Overall survival was superior in the non-GVHD enterocolitis cohort compared with the GVHD group, 91% vs 41% (p = 0.04), and the duration of immune suppression was shorter for non-GVHD enterocolitis patients, mean 112 days vs 180 days (p = 0.049), reflecting these different management approaches. These results demonstrate that different histopathological findings in those with intestinal failure after CBT indicates likely different aetiology from GVHD, and mandates a different clinical management strategy to achieve optimal clinical outcome.
Characterization of a novel hypovirus isolated from the phytopathogenic fungus Colletotrichum camelliae
Authors: Wang Pushuang , Hai du , Li Qili , Xu Xiaowen , Xie Jiatao , Tang Lihua 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
The members in genus Colletotrichum are mainly known for the important plant pathogenic fungi. We here identified a novel positive single-stranded RNA virus, Colletotrichum camelliae hypovirus 1 (CcHV1), from strain GXNN11-2 of Colletotrichum camelliae. The complete genome of CcHV1 is 9907 nucleotides (nt) in length and contains a single large ORF at nt position from 352 to 9006. This ORF encodes a polyprotein with four typical conserved domains of UDP-glycosyltransferases, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), Peptidase, and DEAD-like helicase, and CcHV1 polyprotein shares the highest identities to Fusarium sambucinum hypovirus 1. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that CcHV1 is clustered into the Batehypovirus group of the Hypoviridae family. This is the first report of hypovirus in Colletotrichum.
Gut microbiota-based machine-learning signature for the diagnosis of alcoholic and nonalcoholic liver disease
Authors: Park In-gyu , Yoon Sang Jun , Won Sung-min , Oh Ki-Kwang , Suk Ki Tae , Lee Unjoo 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
Machine learning (ML) algorithms improve diagnostic performance in various diseases. Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) account for majority of liver disease. Using gut microbiota-based ML algorithms, we evaluated the diagnostic index for ALD and NAFLD.
Methods
Fecal 16S rRNA sequencing data of 263 ALD (control, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]) and 201 NAFLD (control and hepatitis) subjects were collected. For the external validation, 126 ALD and 84 NAFLD subjects were recruited. Four supervised ML algorithms (support vector machine, random forest, multilevel perceptron, and convolutional neural network) were used for classification with 20, 40, 60, and 80 features, in which three nonsupervised ML algorithms (independent component analysis, principal component analysis, linear discriminant analysis, and random projection) were used for feature reduction.
Results
A total of 52 combinations of ML algorithms for each pair of subgroups were performed with 60 hyperparameter variations and 10-fold cross validation. ML models of convolutional neural network combined with principal component analysis achieved > 0.90 in the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). In the ALD, the diagnostic AUC values of the ML strategy (vs. control) were 0.94, 0.97, and 0.96 for hepatitis, cirrhosis, and HCC, respectively. The AUC values (vs. control) for NAFLD (hepatitis) was 0.93. In the external validation, AUC values of ALD and NAFLD (vs control) were > 0.90 and 0.88, respectively.
Conclusion
The gut microbiota-based ML strategy can be used for the diagnosis of ALD and NAFLD
Dynamic recrystallization mechanism, grain structure evolution and mechanical behavior in friction stir welding of galvanized steel at different cooling rate
Authors: Sun Tao , Wu Jianhui , Yang Zhihui , Ge Wang , Huang Guoqiang , shen Yifu 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

The welded joints of galvanized steel were created by friction stir welding (FSW) with different cooling rate employing a W-Re rotary tool with a large diameter needle. The microstructure evolution was studied by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electron backscatter diffraction. The results demonstrate that the microstructural evolution mechanism of the stirring zone is discontinuous dynamic recrystallization at fast cooling rate, while the microstructure has continuous dynamic recrystallization as the primary evolution mechanism at slow cooling rate. In addition, fast cooling is more favorable to the refinement of the organization, weakening of the texture, uniform distribution of dislocations and diffusion precipitation of Fe3C. Based on this, the tensile specimens prepared at the fast cooling rate exhibited yield and fracture strengths exceeding those of the base material with less plasticity loss.