bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Akkermansia and its metabolites play key roles in the treatment of campylobacteriosis in mice
Authors: Jiang Lai , Yuan Chunchun , Ye Wenxin , Huang Qixin , Chen Zhuo , Wu Wenzi , Qian Lichun 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionCampylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) is a common food-borne bacterial pathogen that can use the host’s innate immune response to induce the development of colitis. There has been some research on the role of normal intestinal flora in C. jejuni-induced colitis, but the mechanisms that play a central role in resistance to C. jejuni infection have not been explored.MethodsWe treated Campylobacter jejuni-infected mice with fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), oral butyric acid and deoxycholic acid in a controlled trial and analyzed the possible mechanisms of treatment by a combination of chromatography, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization, 16s rRNA gene, proteomics and western blot techniques.ResultsWe first investigated the therapeutic effect of FMT on C. jejuni infection. The results showed that FMT significantly reduced the inflammatory response and blocked the invasion of C.jejuni into the colonic tissue. We observed a significant increase in the abundance of Akkermansia in the colon of mice after FMT, as well as a significant increase in the levels of butyric acid and deoxycholic acid. We next demonstrated that oral administration of sodium butyrate or deoxycholic acid had a similar therapeutic effect. Further proteomic analysis showed that C.jejuni induced colitis mainly through activation of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway, whereas Akkermansia, the core flora of FMT, and the gut microbial metabolites butyric acid and deoxycholic acid both inhibited these signaling pathways to counteract the infection of C. jejuni and alleviate colitis. Finally, we verified the above idea by in vitro cellular assays. In conclusion, FMT is highly effective in the treatment of colitis caused by C. jejuni, with which Akkermansia and butyric and deoxycholic acids are closely associated.The present study demonstrates that Akkermansia and butyric and deoxycholic acids are effective in the treatment of colitis caused by C. jejuni.DiscussionThis is the first time that Akkermansia has been found to be effective in fighting pathogens, which provides new ideas and insights into the use of FMT to alleviate colitis caused by C. jejuni and Akkermansia as a treatment for intestinal sexually transmitted diseases caused by various pathogens.
Longitudinal white matter alterations in SIVmac239-infected rhesus monkeys with and without regular cART treatment
Authors: Liu Jiaojiao , Nguchu Benedictor Alexander , Liu Dan , Qi Yu , Aili Xire , Han Shuai , Gao Yuxun , Wang Xiaoxiao , Qiao Hongwei , Cai Chao , Huang Xiaojie , Li Hongjun 
Published: January 2023

ObjectiveTo use SIV-mac239-infected Chinese rhesus monkeys to study white matter changes with and without regular combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) and the relationships between the changes and clinical results.MethodsDiffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data were collected at baseline and 10 days, 4 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks, and 36 weeks after viral inoculation. Plasma CD4 T cell counts, CD4/CD8 ratio, plasma viral load, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) viral load were collected at baseline and 1 week, 5 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks, and 36 weeks after viral inoculation. Microstructural characteristics were examined within 76 white matter areas defined by the DTI-white matter (WM) atlas for rhesus macaques. Corrections for multiple comparisons were performed using a false discovery rate (p &lt; 0.05, FDR). Correlation analyzes between imaging markers and clinical markers (plasma CD4 T cell counts, CD4/CD8 ratio, plasma viral load, and cerebral spinal fluid viral load) were performed using Pearson correlations.ResultsWhite matter changes in SIV-infected macaques were detected in different brain regions as early as 4 weeks after inoculation. As time progressed, cART reversed, ameliorated, or even enhanced the effects. The CD4 T cell count was mainly associated with DTI metrics before cART, while the CD4/CD8 ratio was associated with white matter changes with and without cART. Viral load was positively associated with mean diffusivity in HIV patients without cART, and the opposite results were seen in HIV patients with cART.ConclusionSIV-mac239 infection may be an ideal tool for studying HIV-induced changes in the brain. The first white matter changes appeared in a structure adjacent to the periventricular area as early as 4 weeks after inoculation. As time progressed, cART had different effects on different regions, reversing, attenuating, or even progressing the pathology. Moreover, these changes were closely related to the CD4/CD8 ratio and viral load, even after cART.
Relative adrenal insufficiency is a risk factor and endotype of sepsis - A proof-of-concept study to support a precision medicine approach to guide glucocorticoid therapy for sepsis
Authors: Wu Chia-Hua , Guo Ling , Hao Dan , Wang Qian , Ye Xiang , Ito Misa , Huang Bin , Mineo Chieko , Shaul Philip W. , Li Xiang-An 
Published: January 2023

Introduction25-60% of septic patients experience relative adrenal insufficiency (RAI) and glucocorticoid (GC) is frequently used in septic patients. However, the efficacy of GC therapy and whether GC therapy should be based on the status of RAI are highly controversial. Our poor understanding about the pathogenesis of RAI and a lack of RAI animal model present significant barriers to address these critical issues.MethodsScavenger receptor BI (SR-BI) regulates stress-induced GC (iGC) production in response to stress. We generated SF1CreSR-BIfl/fl mice and utilized the mice as a RAI model to elucidate the pathogenesis of RAI and GC therapy in sepsis. SF1CreSR-BIfl/fl mice did not express SR-BI in adrenal gland and lacked iGC production upon ACTH stimulation, thus, they are RAI.Results and DiscussionRAI mice were susceptible to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis (6.7% survival in SF1CreSR-BIfl/fl mice versus 86.4% in SR-BIfl/fl mice; p = 0.0001). Compared to a well-controlled systemic inflammatory response in SR-BIfl/fl mice, SF1CreSR-BIfl/fl mice featured a persistent hyperinflammatory response. Supplementation of a low stress dose of GC to SF1CreSR-BIfl/fl mice kept the inflammatory response under control and rescued the mice. However, SR-BIfl/fl mice receiving GC treatment exhibited significantly less survival compared to SR-BIfl/fl mice without GC treatment. In conclusions, we demonstrated that RAI is a risk factor for death in this mouse model of sepsis. We further demonstrated that RAI is an endotype of sepsis, which features persistent hyperinflammatory response. We found that GC treatment benefits mice with RAI but harms mice without RAI. Our study provides a proof of concept to support a precision medicine approach for sepsis therapy – selectively applying GC therapy for a subgroup of patients with RAI.
Marine sediment nitrogen isotopes and their implications for the nitrogen cycle in the sulfate-methane transition zone
Authors: Yang Xin , Zhang Yihao , Sun Xiaoming , Xu Li , Chen TingTing 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionRecent work has proposed that the nitrogen isotopes in marine sediments can be impacted by anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM), since nitrogen uptake by anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME) modifies the nitrogen isotope compositions of bulk sediment. Thus, unraveling the AOM-driven nitrogen cycle in the sulfate-methane transition zone (SMTZ) becomes significant. Additional study of the nitrogen cycle between sediment and interstitial water in SMTZ is needed.MethodsTo better understand the nitrogen cycle in the SMTZ, we analyzed NH4+ concentrations of interstitial water and nitrogen isotopes of sediment in the core GC10 from the southwestern Taiwan Basin in the South China Sea.ResultsThe defined SMTZ is located at 560–830 cmbsf, based on methane and sulfate concentrations, as well as TS/TOC ratios, δ13CTIC and δ34S values. In the SMTZ, the NH4+ concentration decreases, the δ15NTN shows a negative excursion, δ15Ndecarb displays a positive excursion.DiscussionsNH4+ concentration decrease is interpreted by sulfate-reducing ammonium oxidation (SRAO). The δ15NTN shows negative excursion, which is most likely interpreted to N2 (δ15N=0‰) released from SRAO that was fixed into marine sediment via ANME nitrogen fixation. The δ15Ndecarb shows a negative correlation with NH4+ concentrations, indicating that it was controlled by organic matter decomposition. In the SMTZ, the methane competes with organic matter for becoming the substrate of sulfate reduction bacteria, which possibly decreases the organic matter degradation rate and causes δ15Ndecarb relative positive excursion. Although δ15Ndecarb is controlled by organic matter degradation, δ15NTN still reveals a negative excursion in the SMTZ. This likely indicates that nitrogen uptake by ANME/AOM microbial consortiums mainly modifies the nitrogen isotope of soluble nitrogen in the SMTZ.ConclusionsThis study indicates unique geochemistry processes in SMTZ will modify nitrogen characteristics in sediment/interstitial water, and the latter can serve as a proxy for AOM.
Effect of wind on summer chlorophyll-a variability in the Yellow Sea
Authors: Lin Lei , Liu Dongyan , Wang Yueqi , Lv Ting , Zhao Yue , Tan Wei 
Published: January 2023

Winds potentially affect primary production in shelf seas during the stratified season by enhancing upwelling and mixing. However, the exact extent and modalities of this effect in the Yellow Sea remain unclear. Here, based on the satellite and in situ observation data, statistical method, and wind-driven upwelling theory, we examined the wind effect on the chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) variability in the summer of 2002-2020 and the effect mechanism. The satellite data revealed a significantly positive correlation between anomalies of the monthly mean of the summer sea surface Chl-a and wind speed at the continental slope region (water depth of 20-60 m) in the southwestern Yellow Sea where strong wind-driven upwelling has been indicated by previous studies. The wind-driven upwelling along the continental slope was further verified using two summer in-situ observations. After a fortnight of southeasterly wind, the upwelling patterns of high salinity and rich nutrients from the Yellow Sea cold water mass were observed, and consequently, high Chl-a concentrations occurred in the upper layer of the slope region. The wind-driven upwelling occurred in the region at water depth of ~20-60 m, which is consistent with the result of the wind-driven coastal upwelling theory (0.5D &lt; water depth &lt; 1.25D, where D is the thickness of the Ekman layer). The dissolved inorganic nitrogen, phosphorus, and silicate fluxes contributed by wind-driven upwelling were estimated as 1345 ± 674 μmol/m2/d, 81 ± 45 μmol/m2/d and 1460 ± 899 μmol/m2/d, respectively, accounting for 30%-40% of total nutrient supply, and were several times larger than that contributed by the turbulent mixing, which can explain why the strong wind-Chl-a correlation only occurred at the upwelling region rather than the entire sea. In addition, in this region, the interannual variability of the summer mean Chl-a was negatively correlated to both the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) indexes, due to the opposite phase of the summer wind anomaly and the PDO/ENSO. This study revealed the wind effect on the shelf phytoplankton is regional and highlighted that wind could be a pivotal factor driving the climate variability of shelf primary production in the stratified season.
Peripapillary and macular microvasculature features of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy
Authors: Pugazhendhi Sangeethabalasri , Yu Miaomiao , Zhou Gabriella , Chen Yuxuan , Wang Ruikang , Liao Yaping Joyce 
Published: January 2023

PurposeThe hallmark of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is vascular compromise to the anterior optic nerve and thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and secondary degeneration of the retinal ganglion cell body or thinning of the ganglion cell complex (GCC). This study investigates optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT Angiography (OCTA) changes in chronic NAION and identifies imaging biomarkers that best predict disease.MethodsWe performed a retrospective case-control study of 24 chronic NAION eyes (18 patients) and 70 control eyes (45 patients) to compare both whole-eye and regional OCT, OCTA, static perimetry measurements. OCT measurements were quantified automatically using commercial software, and OCTA was analyzed using custom MATLAB script with large vessel removal to measure 154 total parameters per eye.ResultsWe confirmed that static perimetry mean deviation (MD) was significantly worse in chronic NAION (–13.53 ± 2.36) than control (–0.47 ± 0.72; P &lt; 0.001) eyes, and NAION eyes had 31 μm thinner RNFL (control: 95.9 ± 25.8 μm; NAION: 64.5 ± 18.0, P &lt; 0.001), and 21.8 μm thinner GCC compared with controls (control: 81.5 ± 4.4 μm; NAION: 59.7 ± 10.5, P &lt; 0.001). Spearman correlation analysis of OCTA parameters reveal that vessel area density (VAD) and flux are highly correlated with visual field MD and OCT measurements. Hierarchical clustering two distinct groups (NAION and control), where standardized measurements of NAION eyes were generally lower than controls. Two-way mixed ANOVAs showed significant interaction between patient status (control and chronic NAION) and structure (optic disk and macula) for annulus VAD and flux values and mean RNFL and GCC thickness. Post-hoc tests showed this effect stems from lower peripapillary values in NAION compared to controls. Separate logistic regression models with LASSO regularization identified VAD and flux are one of the best OCTA parameters for predicting NAION.ConclusionIschemic insult to the optic disk is more severe likely from primary degeneration of the affected peripapillary region while macula is affected by secondary retrograde degeneration and loss of retinal ganglion cells. In addition to OCT measurements, peripapillary and macular vascular parameters such as VAD and flux are good predictors of optic nerve and retinal changes in NAION.
Five-year outcomes of selective laser trabeculoplasty: A retrospective study
Authors: Swain David L. , Eliassi-Rad Babak 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionStudies have shown the efficacy of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) as adjuvant therapy during short-term follow-up. However, few studies have assessed the long-term efficacy of SLT on preventing worsening Humphrey visual field (HVF) parameters and thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) with continued medical therapy.MethodsA retrospective chart review was conducted of 51 eyes of 39 patients with glaucoma treated with SLT at Boston Medical Center between 2012 and 2016 with 3- and 5-year follow-up. Outcome measures included IOP, visual acuity, number of glaucoma medications, number of months to subsequent surgical intervention. HVF outcome measures included mean deviation (MD) and pattern standard deviation (PSD). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) outcome measures included RNFL mean thickness, and superior and inferior thicknesses.ResultsTwenty-five eyes received subsequent surgical intervention (mean time to intervention = 33.6 ± 20.0 months). In the eyes that did not receive another intervention, mean IOP was significantly decreased by 3.2 and 3.5 mmHg at 3- and 5-year after SLT, respectively. Mean number of glaucoma medications was significantly increased at 5-year (2.7 ± 1.6; P = 0.04), compared to pre-SLT (2.0 ± 1.1). Mean HVF MD was significantly higher at 5-year (−7.64 ± 6.57 dB) compared to pre-SLT (−5.61 ± 3.90 dB). Mean PSD significantly increased at 3-year (5.30 ± 2.91 dB) and 5-year (6.84 ± 2.62 dB), compared to pre-SLT (4.63 ± 2.70 dB; P = 0.04 and ≤0.01, respectively). On OCT, inferior quadrant RNFL thickness decreased significantly at 5-year (88.5 ± 19.3 μm), compared to pre-SLT (94.0 ± 23.2 μm).DiscussionAlthough 51% of eyes had IOP controlled at 5-year post-SLT, mean number of glaucoma medications was significantly higher. Also, there was progression of MD and PSD on HVF and inferior quadrant thinning on OCT at 5-year. We found a significant association between age at SLT and risk of subsequent surgical intervention over 5-year follow-up. Our study adds to our understanding of long-term outcomes of adjuvant SLT for glaucoma patients receiving medical therapy.
Mass cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing reveal immune cell characteristics of active and inactive phases of Crohn’s disease
Authors: Lin Wenjia , Liu Shiying , Huang Zhuojian , Li Haiwen , Lu Tianyu , Luo Yongxin , Zhong Jiamin , Xu Zewen , Liu Yu , Li Yanwu , Li Peiwu , Xu Qian , Cai Jiazhong , Li Huibiao , Chen Xin-lin 
Published: January 2023

ObjectivesFor Crohn’s disease (CD), the alternation of the active phase and inactive phase may be related to humoral immunity and cellular immunity. This study aims to understand the characteristics of immune cells in patients with active CD (CDa) and inactive CD (CDin).MethodsMass cytometry (CyTOF) and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data about CDa, CDin, and healthy control (HC) were included. CyTOF analysis was performed to capture gated subsets, including T cells, T regulatory (Treg) cells, B cells, innate immune cells, and natural killer (NK) cells. Differential analysis was used to identify different immune cell subsets among CDa, CDin, and HC. ScRNA-seq analysis was used to verify the results of CyTOF. CD-related signaling pathways were obtained using KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. CellChat analysis was used to infer the cell communication network among immune cell subsets.ResultsCompared to patients with CDin, patients with CDa had higher abundances of CD16+CD38+CD4+CXCR3+CCR6+ naive T cells, HLA-DR+CD38+IFNγ+TNF+ effector memory (EM) T cells, HLA-DR+IFNγ+ naive B cells, and CD14++CD11C+IFNγ+IL1B+ monocytes. KEGG analysis showed the similarity of pathway enrichment for the earlier four subsets, such as thermogenesis, oxidative phosphorylation, and metabolic pathways. The patients with CDin were characterized by an increased number of CD16+CD56dimCD44+HLA-DR+IL22+ NK cells. Compared to HC, patients with CDa demonstrated a low abundance of HLA-DR+CCR6+ NK cells and a high abundance of FOXP3+CD44+ EM Tregs. CellChat analysis revealed the interaction network of cell subsets amplifying in CDa compared with CDin.ConclusionSome immune subsets cells were identified for CDa and CDin. These cells may be related to the occurrence and development of CD and may provide assistance in disease diagnosis and treatment.
Congenital perineal hamartomas with rectal duplication: A case report
Authors: Zhang Yixin , Zhang Mo , Ma Wei , Yuan Zhengwei , Wang Dajia , Chen Lizhu 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundCongenital perineal hamartomas are rare, and reports of prenatal ultrasound diagnosis are limited. Perineal hamartomas are usually associated with other structural malformations, which complicate the therapeutic regime.Case presentationWe report a case of perineal hamartomas associated with rectal duplication in a female fetus. A review of the literature on similar cases was also presented. A fetus was first diagnosed with a perineal mass at 33 weeks of gestation using ultrasound examination in our hospital. Two-dimensional ultrasonography showed a hyperechoic mass resembling a scrotum in the perineum of the fetus. The pedicle connected the mass to the fetal anus. The masses were excised after birth, and perineal hamartomas were confirmed by pathological diagnosis. Rectal duplication, an associated malformation, was found during the surgery. The rectal duplication cyst was removed at the same time.ConclusionCongenital perineal masses are rare and are usually associated with urogenital and anorectal malformations. Prenatal ultrasound should be used to assess the position and relationship between the mass and perineal organs, and to exclude other combined deformities.
Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty following thermokeratoplasty assisted epikeratophkia: A novel two-stage one-graft method to treat acute corneal hydrops
Authors: Liu Chunyu , Huang Xinyu , Shen Jiaqi , Zhang Yushan , Zhang Li , Bi Yanlong 
Published: January 2023

PurposeTo evaluate the clinical effects of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) using a single graft after thermokeratoplasty assisted epikeratophakia for the treatment of acute corneal hydrops.MethodsThis novel surgical procedure was performed on seven eyes of seven patients between 2019 and 2020. The procedure combines a first-stage surgery of thermokeratoplasty assisted epikeratophkia with intracameral sterile air injection and a second-stage surgery of DALK using the same corneal graft for both procedures. Main outcome measures included pre- and postoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) parameters. Corneal transparency, epithelization, and the presence of neovascularization, were evaluated at the 1-year follow-up visit.ResultsCorneal edema resolved rapidly in six of the seven cases. The mean central corneal thickness was significantly reduced from baseline to 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 2 months after the first-stage surgery (P &lt; 0.0001). At a mean of 2.1 ± 0.7 months after the first-stage surgery, DALK was successfully performed in all cases. Six months later, the mean central corneal thickness was 611 ± 31 μm and the mean thickness of the recipient’s residual stroma bed was 20 ± 6 μm at the central corneal area. Mean LogMAR CDVA improved from 1.74 ± 0.34 at baseline to 0.20 ± 0.11 after DALK (P &lt; 0.0001). No postoperative complications appeared in our case series during the 1-year observation period.ConclusionVery good visual results were obtained with a novel technique (thermokeratoplasty assisted epikeratophakia followed by DALK using the same corneal graft) in the treatment of acute corneal hydrops.