bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Leptin/obR signaling exacerbates obesity-related neutrophilic airway inflammation through inflammatory M1 macrophages
Authors: Wang Yang , Wan Rongjun , Hu Chengping 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Obesity-related asthma is a kind of nonallergic asthma with excessive neutrophil infiltration in the airways. However, the underlying mechanisms have been poorly elucidated. Among the adipokines related to obesity, leptin is related to the inflammatory response. However, little is understood about how leptin acts on the leptin receptor (obR) in neutrophilic airway inflammation in obesity-associated asthma. We explored the inflammatory effects of leptin/obR signaling in an obesity-related neutrophilic airway inflammation mouse model.

Methods
We established a neutrophilic airway inflammation mouse model using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and OVA challenge (LPS + OVA/OVA) in lean, obese, or db/db (obR deficiency) female mice. Histopathological, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) inflammatory cell, and lung inflammatory cytokine analyses were used to analyze airway inflammation severity. Western blotting, flow cytometry, reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to evaluate the underlying mechanisms. In vitro bone marrow‐derived macrophage (BMDM) and bone marrow-derived neutrophil experiments were performed.

Results
We found that the serum leptin level was higher in obese than in lean female mice. Compared to LPS/OVA + OVA-treated lean female mice, LPS/OVA + OVA-treated obese female mice had higher peribronchial inflammation levels, neutrophil counts, Th1/Th17-related inflammatory cytokine levels, M1 macrophage polarization levels, and long isoform obR activation, which could be decreased by the obR blockade (Allo-Aca) or obR deficiency, suggesting a critical role of leptin/obR signaling in the pathogenesis of obesity-related neutrophilic airway inflammation in female mice. In in vitro experiments, leptin synergized with LPS/IFN-γ to promote the phosphorylation of the long isoform obR and JNK/STAT3/AKT signaling pathway members to increase M1 macrophage polarization, which was reversed by Allo-Aca. Moreover, leptin/obR-mediated M1 macrophage activity significantly elevated CXCL2 production and neutrophil recruitment by regulating the JNK/STAT3/AKT pathways. In clinical studies, obese patients with asthma had higher serum leptin levels and M1 macrophage polarization levels in induced sputum than non-obese patients with asthma. Serum leptin levels were positively correlated with M1 macrophage polarization levels in patients with asthma.

Conclusions
Our results demonstrate leptin/obR signaling plays an important role in the pathogenesis of obesity-related neutrophilic airway inflammation in females by promoting M1 macrophage polarization.

Graphical abstract
Levcromakalim provokes an acute rapid-onset migraine-like phenotype without inducing cortical spreading depolarization
Authors: Alpay Berkay , Cimen Bariscan , Akaydin Elif , Bolay Hayrunnisa , Sara Yildirim 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background

Migraine headache attacks and accompanying sensory augmentation can be induced by several agents including levcromakalim (LVC), that is also capable of provoking aura-like symptoms in migraineurs. We investigated whether single LVC injection causes acute migraine-like phenotype in rats and induces/modulates cortical spreading depolarization (CSD), a rodent model of migraine aura.

Methods

Wistar rats were administered LVC (1 mg/kg, i.p.) and compared to control (CTRL, vehicle, i.p.) and nitroglycerin (NTG, 10 mg/kg, i.p.) groups. Von Frey filaments were used to examine the periorbital and hind paw mechanical allodynia. Dark–light box (DLB), elevated plus maze (EPM), and open field arena (OFA) were used to evaluate light sensitivity and anxiety-related behaviors. The effects of LVC on CSD parameters, somatosensory evoked potentials, and baseline dural EEG (electroencephalography) were investigated. Possible CSD-induced c-fos expression was studied with Western Blot. Blood–brain barrier integrity in cortex was examined with Evans blue assay.

Results
LVC and NTG administration robustly reduced periorbital mechanical thresholds in rats and induced anxiety-like behaviors and photophobia within 30 and 120 min, respectively. LVC induced migraine-like phenotype recovered in 2 h while NTG group did not fully recover before 4 h. Both LVC and NTG did not provoke DC (direct current) shift, EEG alterations or cortical c-fos expression characteristic to CSD. LVC did not induce de novo CSD and affect KCl (potassium chloride)-induced CSD parameters except for an increase in propagation failure. However, NTG significantly increased both CSD susceptibility and propagation failure. Somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) configurations were not altered in both LVC and NTG groups, but SSEP latencies were prolonged after CSD. Acute LVC or NTG injection did not increase cortical BBB permeability.

Conclusions
Single LVC administration induced the fastest manifestation and recovery of acute migraine-like phenotype which was not mediated by CSD waves in the cerebral cortex. We suppose LVC triggered rapid-onset migraine-like symptoms are probably related to functional alterations in the trigeminal nociceptive system and K+ channel opening properties of LVC. Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of this nociceptive window, may provide a novel target in migraine treatment.
Combining host and rumen metagenome profiling for selection in sheep: prediction of methane, feed efficiency, production, and health traits
Authors: Hess Melanie K. , Zetouni Larissa , Hess Andrew S. , Budel Juliana , Dodds Ken G. , Henry Hannah M. , Brauning Rudiger , McCulloch Alan F. , Hickey Sharon M. , Johnson Patricia L. , Elmes Sara , Wing Janine , Bryson Brooke , Knowler Kevin , Hyndman Dianne , Baird Hayley , McRae Kathryn M. , Jonker Arjan , Janssen Peter H. , McEwan John C. , Rowe Suzanne J. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Rumen microbes break down complex dietary carbohydrates into energy sources for the host and are increasingly shown to be a key aspect of animal performance. Host genotypes can be combined with microbial DNA sequencing to predict performance traits or traits related to environmental impact, such as enteric methane emissions. Metagenome profiles were generated from 3139 rumen samples, collected from 1200 dual purpose ewes, using restriction enzyme-reduced representation sequencing (RE-RRS). Phenotypes were available for methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the ratio of CH4 to CH4 plus CO2 (CH4Ratio), feed efficiency (residual feed intake: RFI), liveweight at the time of methane collection (LW), liveweight at 8 months (LW8), fleece weight at 12 months (FW12) and parasite resistance measured by faecal egg count (FEC1). We estimated the proportion of phenotypic variance explained by host genetics and the rumen microbiome, as well as prediction accuracies for each of these traits.

Results
Incorporating metagenome profiles increased the variance explained and prediction accuracy compared to fitting only genomics for all traits except for CO2 emissions when animals were on a grass diet. Combining the metagenome profile with host genotype from lambs explained more than 70% of the variation in methane emissions and residual feed intake. Predictions were generally more accurate when incorporating metagenome profiles compared to genetics alone, even when considering profiles collected at different ages (lamb vs adult), or on different feeds (grass vs lucerne pellet). A reference-free approach to metagenome profiling performed better than metagenome profiles that were restricted to capturing genera from a reference database. We hypothesise that our reference-free approach is likely to outperform other reference-based approaches such as 16S rRNA gene sequencing for use in prediction of individual animal performance.

Conclusions
This paper shows the potential of using RE-RRS as a low-cost, high-throughput approach for generating metagenome profiles on thousands of animals for improved prediction of economically and environmentally important traits. A reference-free approach using a microbial relationship matrix from log10 proportions of each tag normalized within cohort (i.e., the group of animals sampled at the same time) is recommended for future predictions using RE-RRS metagenome profiles.
Prediction of difficult laryngoscopy / difficult intubation cases using upper airway ultrasound measurements in emergency department: a prospective observational study
Authors: Sotoodehnia Mehran , Khodayar Maryam , Jalali Alireza , Momeni Mehdi , Safaie Arash , Abdollahi Atefeh 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Introduction
Difficult laryngoscopy and intubation are serious problems among critically ill patients in emergency department (ED) so utility of a rapid, accurate and noninvasive method for predicting of these patients are necessary. Ultrasonography has been recently used in this regard and this study was conducted to investigate the correlation of some introduced upper airway ultrasound parameters with difficult laryngoscopy / difficult intubation in patients referred to the ED.

Method
In this prospective observational study all patients ≥ 18-year-old who had an indication for rapid sequence intubation (RSI) were included. Ultrasound parameters including Hyoid Bone Visibility (HBV), Distance from Skin to Hyoid Bone (DSHB), Distance from Skin to Vocal Cords (DSVC), Distance from Skin to Thyroid Isthmus (DSTI), and Distance between Arytenoids Cartilages (DBAC) were measured in all cases. The patients underwent RSI and thereafter the patients’ baseline characteristics, Cormack-Lehane grade, number of attempted laryngoscopy were recorded in a pre-prepared check list and compared with measured ultrasound parameters. The “difficult laryngoscopy” was defined as Cormack-Lehane classification grades III/IV; and need for more than 3 intubation attempts was considered as “difficult intubation”.

Results
One hundred and twenty-three patients (52% male) were included of whom 10 patients (8.1%) were categorized as difficult laryngoscopy cases; and just 4 (3.3%) cases underwent more than 3 laryngoscopy attempts who considered as difficult intubation cases. The mean age of the patients in non-difficult and difficult intubation groups were 69.2 ± 15.16 and 68.77 ± 17.37 years, respectively (p > 0.05). There was no significant relationship between difficult laryngoscopy and HBV (p = 0.381) but has significant correlation with difficult intubation (p = 0.004). The DSHB had a significant correlation with difficult laryngoscopy (p = 0.002) but its correlation with difficult intubation was not significant (p = 0.629). The DSVC and DSTI had a significant relationship with both difficult laryngoscopy (p = 0.003 and p = 0.001), and difficult intubation (p = 0.025 and p = 0.001). The DBAC had not significant correlation neither with the difficult laryngoscopy (p = 0.142), nor with difficult intubation (p = 0.526).

Conclusion
The findings showed that ultrasound parameters including soft tissue DSHB, DSVC and DSTI could be proper predictors of difficult laryngoscopy. Also, HBV, DSVC and DSTI may be proper predictors for difficult intubation. But DBAC was not useful in this regard.
Importance of preoperative total colonoscopy and endoscopic resection after self-expandable metallic stent placement for obstructive colorectal cancer as a bridge-to-surgery
Authors: Itonaga Shuichi , Hamada Shohei , Ihara Eikichi , Honma Hitoshi , Fukuya Hiroki , Ookubo Akito , Sasaki Taisuke , Yoshimura Daisuke , Nakamuta Makoto , Sumida Yorinobu , Harada Naohiko 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background and aim
Colonic self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) placement enables preoperative total colonoscopy (TCS) in patients with obstructive colorectal cancer. Following SEMS placement, it is possible to assess the presence or absence of synchronous proximal colon cancers and perform preoperative endoscopic resection (ER) for neoplastic lesions proximal to the primary lesion. The objective of this study was to determine the usefulness and safety of preoperative TCS and ER after SEMS placement in patients with obstructive colorectal cancer.

Methods
From April 2016 to March 2022, we enrolled 100 patients with obstructive colorectal cancer who underwent SEMS placement, including 86 patients who underwent preoperative TCS after SEMS placement. Complications associated with preoperative TCS and ER after SEMS placement and the characteristics of the neoplastic lesions were assessed.

Results
The success rate of SEMS placement as bridge-to-surgery was 98.0%; six patients had associated complications. Preoperative TCS was performed 8 (range: 1–30) days after SEMS placement. Four patients had synchronous advanced cancers. Nine non-advanced synchronous cancers, 116 adenomas, and 18 sessile-serrated lesions were treated by preoperative TCS and ER after SEMS placement. No procedure-related complications, namely stent migration, bleeding, and perforation were observed. Forty-five patients underwent follow-up TCS 1 year after surgery. Only one patient with submucosal invasive cancer required a second surgery.

Conclusions
Preoperative TCS and ER after SEMS placement was performed with no complications. This approach allows preoperative evaluation of the entire colon and the treatment of precancerous lesions. (240 words)
Incidence of nontuberculous mycobacteria infections among persons with cystic fibrosis in the United States (2010–2019)
Authors: Marshall Julia E. , Mercaldo Rachel A. , Lipner Ettie M. , Prevots D. Rebecca. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous, environmental bacteria that can cause chronic lung disease. Persons with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) are at high risk for NTM. Approximately 1 in 5 pwCF in the United States (U.S.) is affected by pathogenic NTM species, and incidence rates of NTM have been increasing among pwCF as well as in the general population. Prevalence of NTM pulmonary infections (PI) varies widely across the United States because of geographic variation in environmental exposures. This study will present updated region-level incidence of NTM infections in the cystic fibrosis (CF) population in the U.S.

Methods
We used the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry (CFFPR) data for the period 2010 through 2019. Our study population comprised persons with CF ≥ 12 years of age who had been tested for NTM PI. We included only registry participants with NTM culture results. We defined incident cases as persons with one positive mycobacterial culture preceded by ≥ two negative mycobacterial cultures. We defined non-cases as persons with ≥ two negative mycobacterial cultures. We estimated average annual NTM PI incidence by region. Using quasi-Poisson models, we calculated annual percent change in incidence by region.

Results
We identified 3,771 incident NTM infections. Of these cases, 1,816 (48.2%) were Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infections and 960 (25.5%) were Mycobacterium abscessus infections. The average annual incidence of NTM PI among pwCF in the U.S. was 58.0 cases per 1,000 persons. The Northeast had the highest incidence of MAC (33.5/1,000 persons tested) and the South had the highest incidence of M. abscessus (20.3/1,000 persons tested). From 2010 to 2019, the annual incidence of total NTM PI increased significantly by 3.5% per year in the U.S.

Conclusions
NTM PI incidence is increasing among pwCF. Identifying high risk areas and increasing trends is important for allocating public health and clinical resources as well as evaluating interventions.
Dialysis withdrawal and symptoms of anxiety and depression: a prospective cohort study
Authors: El-Magd Essam S. , Schouten Robbert W. , Nadort Els , Shaw Prataap K. Chandie , Smets Yves F.C. , Vleming Louis-Jean , Dekker Friedo W. , Broekman Birit F.P. , Honig Adriaan , Siegert Carl E.H. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
An important aspect of end-of-life decisions in dialysis patients is elective withdrawal from dialysis therapy. Several studies have shown that clinical factors, such as comorbidity, play a role in dialysis withdrawal. The role of symptoms of anxiety and depression is largely unknown. The.

Methods
A prospective multi-center study has been set up to investigate anxiety and depressive symptoms longitudinally in dialysis patients. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were investigated using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) as baseline. Adverse events, including dialysis withdrawal and mortality were registered during follow-up. Multivariable cox proportional hazard models were used with anxiety and depression as the independent variable and dialysis withdrawal as the outcome variable. Models included age, sex, ethnicity and a set of clinical comorbidities.

Results
A total of 687 patients were included between 2012 and 2017, with a median follow-up of 3.2 years. A total of 48 patients (7%) withdrew from dialysis therapy, and subsequently deceased. Anxiety and depressive symptoms at baseline showed an association with dialysis withdrawal with hazard ratios of 2.31 (1.09–4.88) for anxiety and 2.56 (1.27–5.15) for depressive symptoms, independent of somatic comorbidities.

Discussion
Withdrawal from dialysis therapy is associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms. Dialysis patients with more severe depressive and anxiety symptoms were more vulnerable for dialysis withdrawal. Insight in factors that play a role in dialysis withdrawal could aid patients and clinicians making an informed decision and develop clinical guidelines.
The association of vitamin D deficiency, age and depression in US adults: a cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Mo Hongfei , Zhang Jipeng , Huo Chiwei , Zhang Mengying , Xiao Jiang , Peng Junge , Wang Guirong , Wang Changhong , Li Yan 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Depression is an important public health burden, its risk of occurrence is associated with vitamin D deficiency and may also increase with age, while serum vitamin D levels are closely related to age.

Objective
The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether vitamin D and age are associated with depression after adjustment for each other.

Materials and methods
We extracted data from NHANES 2013–2018, including demographic characteristics, depression level, vitamin D level, physical activity, and body measures. A total of 15,156 adults aged 20 years or older (mean age 49.81 ± 17.67 years, 7301 males and 7855 females) were included. Depression was screened by PHQ-9. Vitamin D deficiency was defined by a serum vitamin D level < 30nmol/L. We performed binary logistic regression models to analyze the association between vitamin D, age and depression, respectively.

Results
Vitamin D levels were negatively associated with depression (P < 0.001). Vitamin D had a significant effect on depression (OR = 0.776, 95%CI: 0.682–0.884, P < 0.001), the effect remained significant after adjusted for confounding variables (OR = 0.761, 95%CI: 0.663–0.874, P < 0.001). Age was positively associated with depression (P < 0.001) and had a significant effect on depression (OR = 1.079, 98%CI: 1.032–1.128, P = 0.001), the effect remained significant after adjusted for confounding variables (OR = 1.092, 95%CI: 1.040–1.146, P < 0.001). Age and vitamin D levels were positively correlated (P < 0.001), and older age had a significant effect on vitamin D level (OR = 1.526, 95%CI: 1.416–1.645, P < 0.001), the effect remained significant after adjusted for confounding variables (OR = 1.371, 95%CI: 1.263–1.487, P < 0.001). In addition, the prevalence of depression was higher in females (2312/7855, 29.43%) than in males (1571/7301, 21.52%), and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001).

Conclusions
Vitamin D deficiency and older age are both associated with higher risk of depression, while older age is a protective factor for vitamin D deficiency.
Information needs of informal caregivers in caring and rehabilitation for dioxin victims in Vietnam
Authors: Ho Hien Thi , Bui Chi Linh , Santin Olinda , Nguyen Huong Thi , Thi Nguyen Hien Luong , Do Hung Chi , Tran Nghi Ngoc , Tran Hanh Thi Tuyet , Nguyen Anh Mai , Carter Gillian , Bui Ha Thi Thu , Van Hoang Minh 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Health outcomes among Agent Orange/dioxin (dioxin) victims are significant due to many individuals requiring daily assistance, informal care, and rehabilitation support. This study aimed to identify the information needs of informal caregivers of dioxin victims in Vietnam.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted in Quynh Phu district, Thai Binh province – an area with a large number of dioxin victims, from June 2019 to June 2020. Quantitative data were collected from 124 caregivers of victims via structured interviews. Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interview guides with in-depth interviews (IDI) (n = 36) and two focus group discussions (FGD) (n = 12).

Results
The results demonstrated that all caregivers of dioxin victims were family members, predominantly older (71.8%), 61.5 years old on average, living on low incomes (87.9%), and were farmers (80.7%). Almost all participants (96.8%) reported having information needs, particularly concerning dioxin’s harms, nutrition, dioxin-related policies and rehabilitation, and psychological support for patients. Caregivers reported that they would like to receive information via health staff counselling (85.0%), television (75.0%), and community loudspeaker (65.8%). Notably, the majority of caregivers reported the need for information regarding psychological support (70.0%). These findings are consistent with qualitative data, which identify an urgent need to provide information, especially through health staff and digital resources.

Conclusion
Many families with dioxin victims lived with little support and information, highlighting their high demand for information about care and rehabilitation. Thus, the healthcare system should promote information support, policy, and psychological support for caregivers and victims. An online support system for caregivers and victims is also recommended.
Food insecurity and social inequalities in households headed by older people in Brazil: a secondary cross-sectional analysis of a national survey
Authors: Ribeiro Eloah Costa de Sant’Anna , Cherol Camilla Christine de Souza , da Costa Rosana Salles , de Castro Paulo Cesar Pereira , Ferreira Aline Alves 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe presence of food insecurity in households headed by older people is related to social inequalities. The objective of this study was to analyze the prevalence and factors associated with moderate/severe food insecurity in households headed by older people.MethodsA cross-sectional study based on a nationally representative sample of older adults aged ≥ 60 years was conducted using data from the 2017/2018 Family Budget Survey. In the study, moderate/severe food insecurity was the dependent variable, with food insecurity assessed with the Brazilian Household Food Insecurity Measurement Scale. Prevalence and odds ratio estimates were generated with 99% confidence intervals. Data analysis was performed using STATA software.FindingsA total of 16,314 households headed by older people were identified. Approximately 10.1% of these households were in the moderate/severe range for food insecurity. The majority are female (11.9%)and self-declared indigenous people (25.5%), with a lack of schooling (18.3%) and a per capita income of up to half of one minimum wage (29.6%). The analysis model found that color/race, region, schooling, per capita household income, and social benefits received in the household were statistically significant factors (p value < 0.01).ConclusionModerate/severe food insecurity in households headed by older people is associated with the pronounced social inequalities present in Brazil, and these findings intensify the need for additional study of the challenges faced by this age group.