bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expression of S100A8 protein on B cells is associated with disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Kitagori Koji , Oku Takuma , Wakabayashi Masaki , Nakajima Tomoya , Nakashima Ran , Murakami Kosaku , Hirayama Yoshitaka , Ishihama Yasushi , Ohmura Koichiro , Morinobu Akio , Mimori Tsuneyo , Yoshifuji Hajime 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an intractable disease characterized by autoantibody production and autoreactive B and T cell proliferation. Although several studies have revealed multiple genetic and environmental associations, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown.

Methods
We performed proteomics and transcriptomics using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and DNA microarray, using peripheral blood B cells from patients with SLE, and healthy controls (HC). We explored molecules associated with the pathophysiology of SLE by flow cytometry and B cell stimulation assay.

Results
We identified for the first time that expression of both S100A8 protein and mRNA were markedly upregulated in SLE B cells. The results obtained using flow cytometry showed that S100A8 was highly expressed on the surface of B cells of patients with active SLE (MFI; HC 102.5 ± 5.97, stable SLE 111.4 ± 12.87, active SLE 586.9 ± 142.9), and S100A8 on the cell surface was decreased after treatment (MFI; pre-treat 1094.5 ± 355.38, post-treat 492.25 ± 247.39); therefore, it is suggested that S100A8 may be a marker for disease activity. The mRNA expression of S100A8 was particularly upregulated in memory B cells of SLE (56.68 fold higher than HC), suggesting that S100A8 may be mainly secreted by memory B cells in the pathogenesis of SLE.

Conclusions
Our results imply that the S100A8 proteins secreted from memory B cells may stimulate granulocytes and monocytes through pattern recognition receptors, activate the innate immune system, and are involved in the pathogenesis of SLE.
Femoral vein pulsatility: a simple tool for venous congestion assessment
Authors: Bhardwaj V. , Rola P. , Denault A. , Vikneswaran G. , Spiegel R. 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Femoral vein Doppler (FVD) is simpler than the VExUS score which is a multimodal scoring system based on combination of IVC diameter, hepatic venous Doppler, portal vein pulsatility and renal vein Doppler, may be useful in assessing right ventricular overload and signs of venous congestion. There is limited data on the relationship between FVD and VExUS score.

Results
Adult post-cardiac surgery patients were assessed for venous congestion using the VExUS score and FVD. Agreement between VExUS and FVD was studied using Kappa test, sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for VExUS and FVD was calculated keeping CVP as gold standard. In total, 107 patients were enrolled, with a mean age of 55.67 ± 12.76. The accuracy of VExUS and FVD for detecting venous congestion was 80.37 (95% CI of 71.5 to 87.4) and 74.7 (95% CI of 65.4 to 82.6), respectively. The level of agreement between FVD and VExUS was moderate (Kappa value of 0.62, P < 0.001) while the agreement between FVD and CVP was weak (Kappa value of 0.49, P < 0.001).

Conclusion
FVD has good accuracy for detecting venous congestion and shows moderate agreement with VExUS grading. With potentially easier physical accessibility and a shorter learning curve for novices, it may be a simple and valuable tool for assessing venous congestion.
Association between clinical use of lansoprazole and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a pharmacoepidemiological cohort study
Authors: Lin Ming-Hsun , Wu Wen‐Tung , Chen Yong-Chen , Lin Tsung-Kun , Chou Yu‐Ching , Sun Chien‐An 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are common and widely used for gastrointestinal-related disorders. Lansoprazole is one of PPIs with potential benefits of anti-inflammation, reduced oxidative stress, and anti-diabetes. The aims of this study are to determine whether lansoprazole imparts differential risk of type 2 diabetes as compared with other PPIs.

Methods
A population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. Patients who received lansoprazole more than 90 days and without records of use of other PPIs between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2005 (the exposure period) were considered as the exposed cohort (n = 1668). In comparison, patients who received other PPIs more than 90 days and without use of lansoprazole in the exposure period were treated as the comparison cohort (n = 3336).The primary outcome was the new-onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The association between use of lansoprazole and the risk of T2DM was determined by hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) derived from multivariable Cox proportional hazards models.

Results
The lansoprazole cohort showed a significantly reduced risk of T2DM with an adjusted HR of 0.65 (95% CI 0.56–0.76). Interestingly, the inverse association between use of lansoprazole and risk of T2DM was observed in both genders and in various age groups.

Conclusion
The present study findings suggest that lansoprazole was associated with a reduced risk of T2DM compared with other PPIs. Further studies are needed to determine the clinical implications of the present study.
Emerging applications of phage therapy and fecal virome transplantation for treatment of Clostridioides difficile infection: challenges and perspectives
Authors: Raeisi Hamideh , Noori Maryam , Azimirad Masoumeh , Mohebbi Seyed Reza , Asadzadeh Aghdaei Hamid , Yadegar Abbas , Zali Mohammad Reza 
Published: May 2023

AbstractClostridioides difficile, which causes life-threatening diarrheal disease, is considered an urgent threat to healthcare setting worldwide. The current standards of care solely rely on conventional antibiotic treatment, however, there is a risk of promoting recurrent C. difficile infection (rCDI) because of the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains. Globally, the alarming spread of antibiotic-resistant strains of C. difficile has resulted in a quest for alternative therapeutics. The use of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), which involves direct infusion of fecal suspension from a healthy donor into a diseased recipient, has been approved as a highly efficient therapeutic option for patients with rCDI. Bacteriophages or phages are a group of viruses that can infect and destroy bacterial hosts, and are recognized as the dominant viral component of the human gut microbiome. Accumulating data has demonstrated that phages play a vital role in microbial balance of the human gut microbiome. Recently, phage therapy and fecal virome transplantation (FVT) have been introduced as promising alternatives for the treatment of C. difficile -related infections, in particular drug-resistant CDI. Herein, we review the latest updates on C. difficile- specific phages, and phage-mediated treatments, and highlight the current and future prospects of phage therapy in the management of CDI.
The coding of telephone consultations in UK primary care databases: are we picking up all the calls?
Authors: Atkinson Mark D , Cooksey Roxanne , Jones Jenna K , Brophy Sinead 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Objectives
To examine the use of two coding systems used in the THIN UK primary care research database for the coding of telephone encounters between patient and healthcare professional in primary care. This is relevant to other research databases built on GP clinical systems. Consideration of telephone consultations was particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic as remote interactions between patient and GP are more numerous than before and are likely to remain at a higher frequency.

Results
Telephone encounters could either be indicated by a consultation-type code or by a Read code. All three possible combinations (coded by one method, the other method and both) were in use. In 2014, 30% were coded by the consultation-type, 55% by Read codes and 15% by both. In contrast, in 2000, 77% were coded by the consultation-type, 21% by Read codes and 2% by both. This has important implications because national and regional consultation rates by GPs are often estimated from these research databases by looking only at the consultation-type codes and consequently many encounters will not be detected.
Overexpression of miR-32 in Chinese hamster ovary cells increases production of Fc-fusion protein
Authors: Bazaz Masoume , Adeli Ahmad , Azizi Mohammad , Karimipoor Morteza , Mahboudi Freidoun , Davoudi Noushin 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe demand for industrial genetically modified host cells were increased with the growth of the biopharmaceutical market. Numerous studies on improving host cell productivity have shown that altering host cell growth and viability through genetic engineering can increase recombinant protein production. During the last decades, it was demonstrated that overexpression or downregulation of some microRNAs in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells as the host cell in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, can improve their productivity. The selection of microRNA targets has been based on their previously identified role in human cancers. MicroRNA-32 (miR-32), which is conserved between humans and hamsters (Crisetulus griseus), was shown to play a role in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis in some human cancers. In this study, we investigated the effect of miR-32 overexpression on the productivity of CHO-VEGF-trap cells. Our results indicated that stable overexpression of miR-32 could dramatically increase the productivity of CHO cells by 1.8-fold. It also significantly increases cell viability, batch culture longevity, and cell growth. To achieve these results, following the construction of a single clone producing an Fc-fusion protein, we transfected cells with a pLexJRed-miR-32 plasmid to stably produce the microRNA and evaluate the impact of mir-32 overexpression on cell productivity, growth and viability in compare with scrambled control. Our findings highlight the application of miRNAs as engineering tools and indicated that miR-32 could be a target for engineering CHO cells to increase cell productivity.
Improving stem quality assessment based on national forest inventory data: an approach applied to Spanish forests
Authors: Ruano Antonio , Alberdi Iciar , Adame Patricia , Moreno-Fernández Daniel , Amiano Alejandro Cantero , Fernández-Golfín Juan , Hermoso Eva , Hernández Laura , Merlo Esther , Sandoval Vicente , Cañellas Isabel 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Key message
This paper proposes a methodology that could be considered as a base for a harmonized protocol for stem-quality reporting in Europe while conducting National Forest Inventories, in order to cost-efficiently obtain a visual wood quality proxy. The importance of the variables selected, the limitations identified, and some improvements to the methodology are suggested. Forest areas with better wood quality, which in turn it would be useful for breeding programs, can be easily detected.

Context
The establishment of harmonized standards or indicators that allow us to determine the quality of the wood present in a forest prior to its exploitation has long been demanded by the European forestry sector, although agreed methodologies for the evaluation of wood quality in standing trees, which is one of the sector’s most urgent requirements, have not, as yet, been implemented.

Aims
To develop a protocol that visually characterizes wood quality on standing trees in a cost-effective way for the National Forest Inventory (NFI). After some improvements, it can be considered as a base for a European harmonized protocol.

Methods
In this article, we analyze the implementation, in the NFI, of a visual wood-quality assessment methodology in forests of Central Spain based on the different European standards as well as on research papers addressing this issue.

Results
The silvicultural practices employed are of the utmost importance to obtain the best wood quality, regardless of the species. Several areas with higher wood quality were identified as well as areas most affected by specific pests in the studied region. The impact of the variables measured (e.g., branchiness, crookedness, maximum branch diameter) is discussed.

Conclusion
It is feasible to estimate a proxy for wood quality on standing trees in the NFI. Furthermore, after studying the inventory data provided, several enhancements are proposed, not only to improve wood-quality estimates but also to optimize fieldwork costs. Harmonizing NFIs to assess and map European standing wood quality can be achieved.
The role of clinical phenotypes in decisions to limit life-sustaining treatment for very old patients in the ICU
Authors: Mousai Oded , Tafoureau Lola , Yovell Tamar , Flaatten Hans , Guidet Bertrand , Beil Michael , de Lange Dylan , Leaver Susannah , Szczeklik Wojciech , Fjolner Jesper , Nachshon Akiva , van Heerden Peter Vernon , Joskowicz Leo , Jung Christian , Hyams Gal , Sviri Sigal 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundLimiting life-sustaining treatment (LST) in the intensive care unit (ICU) by withholding or withdrawing interventional therapies is considered appropriate if there is no expectation of beneficial outcome. Prognostication for very old patients is challenging due to the substantial biological and functional heterogeneity in that group. We have previously identified seven phenotypes in that cohort with distinct patterns of acute and geriatric characteristics. This study investigates the relationship between these phenotypes and decisions to limit LST in the ICU.MethodsThis study is a post hoc analysis of the prospective observational VIP2 study in patients aged 80 years or older admitted to ICUs in 22 countries. The VIP2 study documented demographic, acute and geriatric characteristics as well as organ support and decisions to limit LST in the ICU. Phenotypes were identified by clustering analysis of admission characteristics. Patients who were assigned to one of seven phenotypes (n = 1268) were analysed with regard to limitations of LST.ResultsThe incidence of decisions to withhold or withdraw LST was 26.5% and 8.1%, respectively. The two phenotypes describing patients with prominent geriatric features and a phenotype representing the oldest old patients with low severity of the critical condition had the largest odds for withholding decisions. The discriminatory performance of logistic regression models in predicting limitations of LST after admission to the ICU was the best after combining phenotype, ventilatory support and country as independent variables.ConclusionsClinical phenotypes on ICU admission predict limitations of LST in the context of cultural norms (country). These findings can guide further research into biases and preferences involved in the decision-making about LST.Trial registrationClinical Trials NCT03370692 registered on 12 December 2017.
MRLCC: an adaptive cloud task scheduling method based on meta reinforcement learning
Authors: Xiu Xi , Li Jialun , Long Yujie , Wu Weigang 
Published: May 2023

AbstractTask scheduling is a complex problem in cloud computing, and attracts many researchers’ interests. Recently, many deep reinforcement learning (DRL)-based methods have been proposed to learn the scheduling policy through interacting with the environment. However, most DRL methods focus on a specific environment, which may lead to a weak adaptability to new environments because they have low sample efficiency and require full retraining to learn updated policies for new environments. To overcome the weakness and reduce the time consumption of adapting to new environment, we propose a task scheduling method based on meta reinforcement learning called MRLCC. Through comparing MRLCC and baseline algorithms on the performance of shortening makespan in different environments, we can find that MRLCC is able to adapt to different environments quickly and has a high sample efficiency. Besides, the experimental results demonstrate that MRLCC can maintain a high utilization rate over all baseline algorithms after a few steps of gradient update.
Knowledge of nosocomial infections, standard precautions, and source of information among physiotherapy undergraduates in Sri Lanka; an observational study
Authors: Rubasinghe Sahan , Priyadarshani Kokila , Wijesundara Pramodha , Ramyamala Singappulige , Lakmal Krishantha , Bandara Anuradhi , Dasanayaka Renuka 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Physiotherapists and physiotherapy undergraduates have direct contact with patients which make them transmitters of infections if they do not follow standard precautions. Hence, the purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge of nosocomial infections, standard precautions, and source of information among physiotherapy undergraduates in Sri Lanka.

Methods
An observational Google based survey study was conducted among 294 physiotherapy undergraduates, of which there were 103 in University of Peradeniya, 103 in University of Colombo, and 88 in General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University. The Infection Control Standardized Questionnaire comprising three domains: knowledge of nosocomial infections, standard precautions and hand hygiene was used for data collection along with a self-constructed data sheet for socio-demographic information and source of information.

Results
Participants achieved mean knowledge of 67.1 ± 16.8, 84.4 ± 14.7 and 66.4 ± 15.4 for nosocomial infections, standard precautions, and hand hygiene respectively. Of the total sample, 225 (76.5%) achieved adequate level of total knowledge. Eighty-three of them (28.3%) equally mentioned, formal teaching at faculty and informal sources as the most important source of knowledge. There was no significant impact of university and the duration of clinical exposure on knowledge of nosocomial infections, standard precautions, hand hygiene and total knowledge. The study year has a significant impact on standard precautions (P = 0.004) and total knowledge (P = 0.035) and final years had highest knowledge compared to the other study years.

Conclusion
Knowledge of nosocomial infections and infection control measures were satisfactory among the physiotherapy undergraduates in Sri Lanka. Further developments of formal sources of information about nosocomial infections are recommended.
Qianhu (Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn) Improves exercise capacity in mice by regulating Nrf2/HO-1 oxidative stress signaling pathway
Authors: Li Bo , Wang Yeni , Yang Xiaoguang 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis study assessed the effect of Qianhu (Peucedanum praeruptorumDunn)on the recovery of movement in mice with D-galactose-induced dyskinesia. The evaluation of the ability of mice to exercise revealed that Qianhu increased the running and swimming time to exhaustion in mice with dyskinesia. In addition, measurement of biochemical indices in mice showed that Qianhu altered the serum levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), blood lactic acid (BLA), malonaldehyde (MDA), liver glycogen (HG), muscle glycogen (MG), while the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) remained normal. Additionally, Qianhu regulated the mRNA expression of copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD), manganese-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), catalase (CAT), heme oxygenase 1(HO-1), nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor (Nrf2) and syncytin-1 in mice and also protected mice against D-galactose-induced oxidative stress. The analysis of the chemical composition of Qianhu revealed that it mainly contains isochlorogenic acid B, myricetin, baicalin, luteolin, and kaempferol, which are known excellent antioxidants that protect against tissue damage due to oxidative stress and have anti-aging properties. Thus, these compounds may be the active components in Qianhu that improve the ability of mice to exercise, and may also represent the key compounds for its use as natural medicine or health food.
Evaluation of three scoring systems for predicting renal prognosis in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated glomerulonephritis
Authors: Wang Ruiqiang , Zhang Xiaofeng , Wang Xinfang , Chen Lin , Ma Qiuling , Su Yajing , Liu Jingwen , Shi Huihui 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis (AAGN) is characterized by rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, and timely initiation of treatment and evaluation is critical to prevent the progression of renal disease to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The aim of this study was to evaluate predictive value of the renal risk score (RRS), Birmingham vasculitis activity score (BVAS), and renal vascular lesions (RVLs) score for renal prognosis in AAGN.

Methods
A retrospective analysis of ninety-four patients diagnosed with AAGN after renal biopsy was performed. The RRS, BVAS, and RVLs score were evaluated in relation to clinicopathologic features and renal prognosis. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate their renal prognostic value.

Results
The median follow-up time was 36 months. Thirty-eight patients progressed to ESRD. Survival analysis showed that renal prognosis worsened in the RRS group in order of low, medium, and high RRS (P < 0.05). Within the RVLs group, the renal prognosis of the groups with severe and moderate RVLs was worse than that of the group without RVLs (P = 0.012, P < 0.001), and the group with mild RVLs was close to that of the group without RVLs. ROC analysis showed that the AUC of RRS, BVAS, RVLs score, RVLs score combined with RRS (RVLs score & RRS, RR), RVLs score, and RRS combined with BVAS (RVLs score & RRS & BVAS, RRB) were 0.865, 0.624, 0.763, 0.910, and 0.942, respectively. The predictive power of RRB and RR was comparable and significantly better than the RRS, BVAS, and RVLs score. Based on simplicity and validity, RR was selected as the best predictor, and the relationship between RRS, RVLs score, and RR was calculated using a linear fit, resulting in the linear equation RR = -0.4766 + 0.1231 × RVLs score + 0.395 × RRS (P < 0.001).

Conclusions
In AAGN, the predictive power of RR for renal prognosis was superior to that of RRS, BVAS, and RVLs score. RR may serve as a new predictor of renal prognosis in AAGN.