bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
L3-L4 Hyperlordosis and Decreased Lower Lumbar Lordosis Following Short-Segment L4-L5 Lumbar Fusion Surgery is Associated With L3-L4 Revision Surgery for Adjacent Segment Stenosis
Authors: Herrington Brandon J. , Fernandes Renan R. , Urquhart Jennifer C. , Rasoulinejad Parham , Siddiqi Fawaz , Bailey Christopher S. 
Published: July 2023

Study Design Retrospective review of prospective cohort. Objectives Reoperation at L3-L4 for adjacent segment disease (ASD) is common after L4-L5 spine fusion. L4-S1 lower lumbar lordosis (LLL) accounts for the majority of global lumbar lordosis (GLL) and is modifiable during surgery. We sought to determine if a reduction in LLL leads to an increase in L3-L4 focal lumbar lordosis (L3-L4 FLL) and resulting risk of ASD at L3-L4. Methods We reviewed the records of a prospective cohort with lumbar spinal stenosis who underwent L4-L5 or L4-L5-S1 fusion between 2006 and 2012. Radiographic parameters—GLL, LLL, L3-L4 FLL, upper lumbar lordosis, lordosis distribution index, pelvic tilt, and pelvic incidence—were extracted from preoperative and postoperative lumbar spine radiographs. Statistical comparisons were made between those who underwent revision for post-fusion adjacent level stenosis at L3-L4 (REVISION) and those who did not (NO REVISION). Results Inclusion criteria were met by 104 patients. The REVISION cohort included 19 individuals. No significant differences in baseline demographics or operative details for the index procedure were found between groups. Postoperatively, when compared to the NO REVISION cohort, the REVISION cohort had a decrease in LLL (-2.6° vs + 1.5°, P = .011) and LDI (-5.1% vs + 1.3%, P = .039), and an increase in L3-L4 FLL (+2.6° vs -.6°, P = .001). Conclusions A reduction in LLL and compensatory increase in L3-L4 FLL after initial lower lumbar fusion surgery resulted in more reoperation at L3-L4 for post-fusion adjacent level spinal stenosis.
Prioritization, Incentives, and Resource Use for Sustainable Dentistry: The EU PRUDENT Project
Authors: Listl S. , van Ardenne O. , Grytten J. , Gyrd-Hansen D. , Lang H. , Melo P. , Nemeth O. , Tubert-Jeannin S. , Vassallo P. , van Veen E.B. , Vernazza C. , Waitzberg R. , Winkelmann J. , Woods N. 
Published: July 2023

PRUDENT (Prioritization, incentives and Resource use for sUstainable DENTistry) is a multinational project funded under the European Union’s (EU’s) Horizon Europe program. Our team includes partners from Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and the United Kingdom; we aim to develop and implement an innovative and context-adaptive framework for optimal financing of oral health care that enables access to essential oral health care for everyone without causing financial hardship. PRUDENT will leverage health economics and implementation science methods to convert novel evidence on oral health financing into meaningful improvements of oral care. PRUDENT will harness behavioral experiments, system dynamics modeling, implementation trials, deliberative processes, and a multicountry monitoring framework on oral health care financing in the EU. Using a mixed-methods research design, PRUDENT addresses 3 objectives: (1) to develop a harmonized core set of oral health system indicators, implement them in a novel EU-wide monitoring system, and integrate them in deliberative processes to set priorities for oral care financing; (2) to identify optimization strategies for oral health care financing, in which real-world and lab experiments on provider payment and oral care insurance coverage, needs-adaptive resource planning, regulatory learning, and digital decision aid tools are leveraged to help accelerate transformations in oral care financing; and (3) to harness innovative knowledge transfer strategies for the co-development and co-production of sustainable implementation strategies for oral and general health care financing. Through improving access to essential oral care for everyone without causing financial hardship, PRUDENT is expected to help achieve universal health coverage for oral health. Knowledge Transfer Statement: The EU PRUDENT project aims to enhance the financing of oral health systems through novel evidence and implementation of better financing solutions together with citizens, patients, providers, and policy makers. The multicountry nature of the project offers unique windows of opportunity for rapid learning and improving within and across various contexts. PRUDENT is anticipated to strengthen capacities for better oral care financing in the EU and worldwide.
Anti-thymocyte globulin exposure in patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis undergoing autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Chiu Yu-Hsiang , Drijver Anouk , Admiraal Rick , van Rhenen Anna , Nierkens Stefan , van Laar Jacob M , Spierings Julia 
Published: July 2023

Introduction: Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation improves event-free survival and lung function and reduces skin thickening in patients with progressive diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. Anti-thymocyte globulin is a key lymphoablative constituent of conditioning protocols and is administered in a weight-based dosage. However, whether anti-thymocyte globulin exposure contributes to response to autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and lymphocyte reconstitution in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis patients is unknown. We aimed to explore the relationship between anti-thymocyte globulin exposure, lymphocyte reconstitution and treatment response in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis patients undergoing autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Methods: A retrospective cohort of 15 diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis patients undergoing autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation was performed. Clinical characteristics and routine laboratory results were retrieved from electronic medical records. Anti-thymocyte globulin concentrations were measured in cryopreserved plasma samples at four time points (day 1 and week 1, 2 and 4) after stem cell reinfusion. Anti-thymocyte globulin exposure was estimated using a validated population pharmacokinetic model. Results: During a median follow-up of 45 months (interquartile range 19–66), 11 (73%) patients had a treatment response, and 4 (27%) were non-responders. Although all patients received the same weight-based anti-thymocyte globulin dosage, 7.5 mg/kg divided over 3 days, anti-thymocyte globulin exposure varied. Anti-thymocyte globulin exposure was higher in responders than in non-responders (163 AU*day/mL (interquartile range 153–183) and 137 AU*day/mL (interquartile range 101–149), respectively, p = .026). Anti-thymocyte globulin exposure was not correlated with lymphocyte reconstitution or infection rate. Conclusion: Weight-based dosing of anti-thymocyte globulin results in variable anti-thymocyte globulin exposure and treatment response across individuals.
Republication of “Cross-Sectional Assessment of Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Patient Knowledge”
Authors: Rosenbaum Andrew J. , Marinescu Anca Gabriela , Levine David , Ellis Scott J. 
Published: July 2023

Background: Individuals with limited health literacy often struggle in effectively communicating with their physicians and may lack the skills needed to make informed health decisions. It is therefore important that providers have insight into patients’ baseline medical knowledge, as this can help physicians customize their approach to, and conversations with, each patient. As such, this study evaluated the foot and ankle–specific knowledge of patients seeking care for various foot and ankle ailments. Methods: An unvalidated survey developed by our study group was distributed to 206 patients, assessing their knowledge of foot and ankle anatomy, terminology, conditions, treatment, and perioperative issues. Performance was evaluated as a function of participants’ demographic factors. Results: Participants performed significantly worse on the conditions and treatment questions as compared to the anatomy, terminology, and perioperative considerations subsections. Significantly better performance correlated with education (≥college), visit type (preoperative evaluation), a current or previous health care occupation, and prior orthopedic surgeon evaluation. Conclusions: Patients’ knowledge of foot and ankle anatomy, terminology, conditions, treatment, and perioperative issues correlates with certain patient characteristics and demographics. With enhanced insight into the risk factors for limited knowledge, education campaigns can be designed to target those most in need.
Knockdown of DEC2 expression inhibits the proliferation of mesangial cells through suppressed glycolysis and p38 MAPK/Erk pathway in lupus nephritis
Authors: Qi Huimeng , Xu Li , Liu Qiang 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
To elucidate the mechanism by which DEC2 modulates the proliferation of mesangial cells (MCs) in lupus nephritis (LN).

Methods
The 32-week-old female Fcgr2b−/− mice and their serum-treated MCs were used as in vivo and in vitro LN model. MCs knocked down of DEC2 and overexpressed with DEC2 were also established. The expression of DEC2 was measured in the kidneys of Fcgr2b−/− mice and LN serum-treated MCs using RT-qPCR and Western blot. MCs proliferation was detected by 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) labeling assay and PCNA expression using immunofluorescence. The glucose metabolism was evaluated in LN serum-treated MCs, and the levels of lactate production, glucose consumption, ATP production and mitochondrial membrane potential were assayed. The glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration function of the MCs were measured using the Extracellular Flux Analyzer. The extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) and oxygen consumption rate (OCR) were dynamically monitored and multiple important bioenergetic parameters can be calculated. The expression of Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) were detected in the MCs. Multiple signaling proteins were screened.

Results
DEC2 was found overexpressed in the kidney of Fcgr2b−/− LN mice. Knockdown of DEC2 inhibited LN serum-induced MCs proliferation. DEC2 was associated with the glucose metabolism in LN serum-treated MCs. DEC2 regulated glycolysis in LN serum-treated MCs. DEC2 was associated with mitochondrial fitness in LN serum treated MCs. DEC2 activated MCs glycolysis through TLR4 and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) regulation. DEC2 regulated MCs proliferation through two signaling pathways including dependent and independent of glycolysis, which located in the downstream of TLR4 signaling.

Conclusion
Knockdown of DEC2 expression inhibits the proliferation of MCs through suppressed glycolysis and p38 MAPK/ERK pathway in LN.
Definitions matter: investigating indicators for transport poverty using different measurement tools
Authors: Verhorst Tom , Fu Xingxing , van Lierop Dea 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
An individual’s inability to fully participate in social life due to limited means of transport options, in short, transport poverty, is a common theme in contemporary transport planning. However, due to the lack of a universal definition, identification and measurement of transport poverty can be challenging.

Purpose
This paper aims to assess the implications of three widely used definitions and a newly developed measurement scale by comparing them in terms of scale levels, measurement dimensions and research contexts

Methodology
This study first systematically reviews the literature on transport poverty and summarizes aspects of the transport poverty concept emphasized in previous studies. Using survey data from two Dutch cities, the study then measures transport poverty by means of a scoring system and an indicator derived from a new measurement scale by factor analysis. Finally, by performing a series of linear regression models on the generated scores, the predictors of each definition (measurement scale) are compared to identify which aspects of transport poverty are prioritized by each definition.

Findings
Each transport poverty definition correlates with a different set of predictors, indicating that the used definition of transport poverty has an impact on how the concept is identified and implying in which contexts the definition (measurement scale) can be applied. The findings could help policymakers evaluate the applicability of different transport poverty definitions in specific contexts and help them select the optimal measurement tool for assessing the problem they are aiming to solve.
The WUR0000125 PRRS resilience SNP had no apparent effect on pigs’ infectivity and susceptibility in a novel transmission trial
Authors: Chase-Topping Margo , Plastow Graham , Dekkers Jack , Li Yanhua , Fang Ying , Gerdts Volker , Van Kessel Jill , Harding John , Opriessnig Tanja , Doeschl-Wilson Andrea 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) remains one of the most important infectious diseases for the pig industry. A novel small-scale transmission experiment was designed to assess whether the WUR0000125 (WUR for Wageningen University and Research) PRRS resilience single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) confers lower susceptibility and infectivity to pigs under natural porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV-2) transmission.

Methods
Commercial full- and half-sib piglets (n = 164) were assigned as either Inoculation, Shedder, or Contact pigs. Pigs were grouped according to their relatedness structure and WUR genotype, with R− and R+ referring to pigs with zero and one copy of the dominant WUR resilience allele, respectively. Barcoding of the PRRSV-2 strain (SD09-200) was applied to track pig genotype-specific transmission. Blood and nasal swab samples were collected and concentrations of PRRSV-2 were determined by quantitative (q)-PCR and cell culture and expressed in units of median tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50). The Log10TCID50 at each sampling event, derived infection status, and area under the curve (AUC) were response variables in linear and generalized linear mixed models to infer WUR genotype differences in Contact pig susceptibility and Shedder pig infectivity.

Results
All Shedder and Contact pigs, except one, became infected through natural transmission. There was no significant (p > 0.05) effect of Contact pig genotype on any virus measures that would indicate WUR genotype differences in susceptibility. Contact pigs tended to have higher serum AUC (p = 0.017) and log10TCID50 (p = 0.034) when infected by an R+ shedder, potentially due to more infectious R+ shedders at the early stages of the transmission trial. However, no significant Shedder genotype effect was found in serum (p = 0.274) or nasal secretion (p = 0.951) that would indicate genotype differences in infectivity.

Conclusions
The novel design demonstrated that it is possible to estimate genotype effects on Shedder pig infectivity and Contact pig susceptibility that are not confounded by family effects. The study, however, provided no supportive evidence that genetic selection on WUR genotype would affect PRRSV-2 transmission. The results of this study need to be independently validated in a larger trial using different PRRSV strains before dismissing the effects of the WUR marker or the previously detected GBP5 gene on PRRSV transmission.
Identification and characterization of circRNAs in peri-implantation endometrium between Yorkshire and Erhualian pigs
Authors: Zhou Chen , Cheng Xinyan , Meng Fanming , Wang Yongzhong , Luo Wanyun , Zheng Enqin , Cai Gengyuan , Wu Zhenfang , Li Zicong , Hong Linjun 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
One of the most critical periods for the loss of pig embryos is the 12th day of gestation when implantation begins. Recent studies have shown that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play important regulatory roles during pregnancy. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a kind of ubiquitously expressed ncRNAs that can directly regulate the binding proteins or regulate the expression of target genes by adsorbing micro RNAs (miRNA).

Results
We used the Illumina Novaseq6,000 technology to analyze the circRNA expression profile in the endometrium of three Erhualian (EH12) and three Yorkshire (YK12) pigs on day 12 of gestation. Overall, a total of 22,108 circRNAs were identified. Of these, 4051 circRNAs were specific to EH12 and 5889 circRNAs were specific to YK12, indicating a high level of breed specificity. Further analysis showed that there were 641 significant differentially expressed circRNAs (SDEcircRNAs) in EH12 compared with YK12 (FDR < 0.05). Functional enrichment of differential circRNA host genes revealed many pathways and genes associated with reproduction and regulation of embryo development. Network analysis of circRNA-miRNA interactions further supported the idea that circRNAs act as sponges for miRNAs to regulate gene expression. The prediction of differential circRNA binding proteins further explored the potential regulatory pathways of circRNAs. Analysis of SDEcircRNAs suggested a possible reason for the difference in embryo survival between the two breeds at the peri-implantation stage.

Conclusions
Together, these data suggest that circRNAs are abundantly expressed in the endometrium during the peri-implantation period in pigs and are important regulators of related genes. The results of this study will help to further understand the differences in molecular pathways between the two breeds during the critical implantation period of pregnancy, and will help to provide insight into the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the establishment of pregnancy and embryo loss in pigs.
MicroRNA-668-3p inhibits myoblast proliferation and differentiation by targeting Appl1
Authors: Cao Haigang , Du Tianning , Li Chenchen , Wu Lingling , Liu Jieming , Guo Yuan , Li Xiao , Yang Gongshe , Jin Jianjun , Shi Xin’e 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Skeletal muscle is the largest tissue in the body, and it affects motion, metabolism and homeostasis. Skeletal muscle development comprises myoblast proliferation, fusion and differentiation to form myotubes, which subsequently form mature muscle fibres. This process is strictly regulated by a series of molecular networks. Increasing evidence has shown that noncoding RNAs, especially microRNAs (miRNAs), play vital roles in regulating skeletal muscle growth. Here, we showed that miR-668-3p is highly expressed in skeletal muscle.

Methods
Proliferating and differentiated C2C12 cells were transfected with miR-668-3p mimics and/or inhibitor, and the mRNA and protein levels of its target gene were evaluated by RT‒qPCR and Western blotting analysis. The targeting of Appl1 by miR-668-3p was confirmed by dual luciferase assay. The interdependence of miR-668-3p and Appl1 was verified by cotransfection of C2C12 cells.

Results
Our data reveal that miR-668-3p can inhibit myoblast proliferation and myogenic differentiation. Phosphotyrosine interacting with PH domain and leucine zipper 1 (Appl1) is a target gene of miR-668-3p, and it can promote myoblast proliferation and differentiation by activating the p38 MAPK pathway. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of miR-668-3p on myoblast cell proliferation and myogenic differentiation could be rescued by Appl1.

Conclusion
Our results indicate a new mechanism by which the miR-668-3p/Appl1/p38 MAPK pathway regulates skeletal muscle development.
Co-expression module analysis reveals high expression homogeneity for both coding and non-coding genes in sepsis
Authors: Liu Xiaojun , Hong Chengying , Jiang Yichun , Li Wei , Chen Youlian , Ma Yonghui , Zhao Pengfei , Li Tiyuan , Chen Huaisheng , Liu Xueyan , Cheng Lixin 
Published: July 2023

AbstractSepsis is a life-threatening condition characterized by a harmful host response to infection with organ dysfunction. Annually about 20 million people are dead owing to sepsis and its mortality rates is as high as 20%. However, no studies have been carried out to investigate sepsis from the system biology point of view, as previous research predominantly focused on individual genes without considering their interactions and associations. Here, we conducted a comprehensive exploration of genome-wide expression alterations in both mRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in sepsis, using six microarray datasets. Co-expression networks were conducted to identify mRNA and lncRNA modules, respectively. Comparing these sepsis modules with normal modules, we observed a homogeneous expression pattern within the mRNA/lncRNA members, with the majority of them displaying consistent expression direction. Moreover, we identified consistent modules across diverse datasets, consisting of 20 common mRNA members and two lncRNAs, namely CHRM3-AS2 and PRKCQ-AS1, which are potential regulators of sepsis. Our results reveal that the up-regulated common mRNAs are mainly involved in the processes of neutrophil mediated immunity, while the down-regulated mRNAs and lncRNAs are significantly overrepresented in T-cell mediated immunity functions. This study sheds light on the co-expression patterns of mRNAs and lncRNAs in sepsis, providing a novel perspective and insight into the sepsis transcriptome, which may facilitate the exploration of candidate therapeutic targets and molecular biomarkers for sepsis.