bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound of different intensities differently affects myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by modulating cardiac oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction
Authors: Cao Quan , Liu Lian , Hu Yugang , Cao Sheng , Tan Tuantuan , Huang Xin , Deng Qing , Chen Jinling , Guo Ruiqiang , Zhou Qing 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionThe prevalence of ischemic heart disease has reached pandemic levels worldwide. Early revascularization is currently the most effective therapy for ischemic heart diseases but paradoxically induces myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury. Cardiac inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress are primarily involved in the pathology of MI/R injury. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has been demonstrated to reduce cell injury by protecting against inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress in many diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, but rarely on MI/R injury.MethodsThis study was designed to clarify whether LIPUS alleviates MI/R injury by alleviating inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress. Simultaneously, we have also tried to confirm which intensity of the LIPUS might be more suitable to ameliorate the MI/R injury, as well as to clarify the signaling mechanisms. MI/R and simulated ischemia/reperfusion (SI/R) were respectively induced in Sprague Dawley rats and human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs). LIPUS treatment, biochemical measurements, cell death assay, estimation of cardiac oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction, and protein detections by western blotting were performed according to the protocol.ResultsIn our study, both in vivo and in vitro, LIPUS of 0.1 W/cm2 (LIPUS0.1) and 0.5 W/cm2 (LIPUS0.5) make no significant difference in the cardiomyocytes under normoxic condition. Under the hypoxic condition, MI/R injury, inflammatory reaction, and oxidative stress were partially ameliorated by LIPUS0.5 but were significantly aggravated by LIPUS of 2.5 W/cm2 (LIPUS2.5) both in vivo and in vitro. The activation of the apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway in cardiomyocytes with MI/R injury was partly rectified LIPUS0.5 both in vivo and in vitro.ConclusionOur study firstly demonstrated that LIPUS of different intensities differently affects MI/R injury by regulating cardiac inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress. Modulations on the ASK1/JNK pathway are the signaling mechanism by which LIPUS0.5 exerts cardioprotective effects. LIPUS0.5 is promising for clinical translation in protecting against MI/R injury. This will be great welfare for patients suffering from MI/R injury.
Increased gut permeability and bacterial translocation are associated with fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: implications for disease-related biomarker discovery
Authors: Martín Franz , Blanco-Suárez Manuel , Zambrano Paola , Cáceres Oscar , Almirall Miriam , Alegre-Martín José , Lobo Beatriz , González-Castro Ana Maria , Santos Javier , Domingo Joan Carles , Jurek Joanna , Castro-Marrero Jesús 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundThere is growing evidence of the significance of gastrointestinal complaints in the impairment of the intestinal mucosal barrier function and inflammation in fibromyalgia (FM) and in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). However, data on intestinal permeability and gut barrier dysfunction in FM and ME/CFS are still limited with conflicting results. This study aimed to assess circulating biomarkers potentially related to intestinal barrier dysfunction and bacterial translocation and their association with self-reported symptoms in these conditions.MethodsA pilot multicenter, cross-sectional cohort study with consecutive enrolment of 22 patients with FM, 30 with ME/CFS and 26 matched healthy controls. Plasma levels of anti-beta-lactoglobulin antibodies (IgG anti-β-LGB), zonulin-1 (ZO-1), lipopolysaccharides (LPS), soluble CD14 (sCD14) and interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β) were assayed using ELISA. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the participants were recorded using validated self-reported outcome measures. The diagnostic accuracy of each biomarker was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.ResultsFM patients had significantly higher levels of anti-β-LGB, ZO-1, LPS, and sCD14 than healthy controls (all P &lt; 0.0001). In ME/CFS patients, levels of anti-β-LGB, ZO-1, LPS, and sCD14 were significantly higher than controls, but lower than in FM (all P &lt; 0.01), while there was no significant difference in IL-1β level. In the FM and ME/CFS cohorts, both anti-β-LGB and ZO-1 correlated significantly with LPS and sCD14 (P &lt; 0.001 for both). In the FM group, both anti-β-LGB and ZO-1 were correlated significantly with physical and mental health components on the SF-36 scale (P &lt; 0.05); whereas IL-1β negatively correlated with the COMPASS-31 score (P &lt; 0.05). In the ME/CFS cohort, ZO-1 was positively correlated with the COMPASS-31 score (P &lt; 0.05). The ROC curve analysis indicated a strong ability of anti-β-LGB, ZO-1, LPS and sCD14 to predictively distinguish between FM and ME/CFS from healthy controls (P &lt; 0.0001).ConclusionBiomarkers of intestinal barrier function and inflammation were associated with autonomic dysfunction assessed by COMPASS-31 scores in FM and ME/CFS respectively. Anti-β-LGB antibodies, ZO-1, LPS, and sCD14 may be putative predictors of intestinal barrier dysfunction in these cohorts. Further studies are needed to assess whether these findings are causal and can therefore be applied in clinical practice.
Genetic investigation of Nordic patients with complement-mediated kidney diseases
Authors: Rydberg Viktor , Aradottir Sigridur Sunna , Kristoffersson Ann-Charlotte , Svitacheva Naila , Karpman Diana 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundComplement activation in atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), C3 glomerulonephropathy (C3G) and immune complex-mediated membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN) may be associated with rare genetic variants. Here we describe gene variants in the Swedish and Norwegian populations.MethodsPatients with these diagnoses (N=141) were referred for genetic screening. Sanger or next-generation sequencing were performed to identify genetic variants in 16 genes associated with these conditions. Nonsynonymous genetic variants are described when they have a minor allele frequency of &lt;1% or were previously reported as being disease-associated.ResultsIn patients with aHUS (n=94, one also had IC-MPGN) 68 different genetic variants or deletions were identified in 60 patients, of which 18 were novel. Thirty-two patients had more than one genetic variant. In patients with C3G (n=40) 29 genetic variants, deletions or duplications were identified in 15 patients, of which 9 were novel. Eight patients had more than one variant. In patients with IC-MPGN (n=7) five genetic variants were identified in five patients. Factor H variants were the most frequent in aHUS and C3 variants in C3G. Seventeen variants occurred in more than one condition.ConclusionGenetic screening of patients with aHUS, C3G and IC-MPGN is of paramount importance for diagnostics and treatment. In this study, we describe genetic assessment of Nordic patients in which 26 novel variants were found.
High efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells with a novel two dimensional Cd-V-LDH photoanode
Authors: Bendary Samar H. , Hashem Amira A. , Mahmoud Sawsan A. 
Published: September 2023

The present study demonstrates a novel photoanode layer double hydroxide (LDH) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The search for a photoanode (PA) with low cost and high power conversion efficiency (PCE) has become one of the most significant challenges facing researchers. LDH has proven successful as a photocatalyst in various fields. In this paper, a novel Cd-V-LDH with a molar ratio of Cd:V = 1:1 was synthesized by the coprecipitation method and used as a novel PA in DSSCS. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Nitrogen sorption analysis, UV–Vis absorption spectrum, Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to examine the produced Cd-V-LDH. Cd-V-LDH as PA, Eosin Y (EY) as a photosensitizer, LiI-I2 as a liquid electrolyte, and g-C3N4 (GN) as a photocathode (PC) are the component of DSSCs. The series cells of DSSCs were assembled and the available variables have been studied to achieve the best performance under normal conditions. These variables, e.g., concentration and pH of EY, active area of PA, and different types of PC, e.g., graphene oxide (GO), commercial carbon (CC), and (GN). The open circuit voltage (VOC) and short circuit current density (JSC) for the Cd-V-LDH/EY/LiI-I2/GN system were observed to be 705 mV and 12.40 mA/cm2, and has a PCE of 5.4% comparable to Cd-V-LDH/EY/LiI-I2/GO and Cd-V-LDH/EY/LiI-I2/CC, which have PCEs of 4.9% and 3.8%, respectively, in the identical testing conditions.
Epidemiology and risk factors associated with gout control among adult Asians: a real-world retrospective cohort study
Authors: Oka Prawira , Chong Wei Ming , Ng Ding Xuan , Aau Wai Keong , Tan Ngiap Chuan 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundGout is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, yet suboptimal gout control remains a problem globally. Identifying the risk factors associated with poor gout control among patients in primary care allows targeted interventions to improve their clinical management. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of poor gout control and its associated demographic and clinical factors among urbanized community-dwelling Asian patients.MethodsThis retrospective study was based on data extracted from the electronic medical records of 8 public primary care clinics in Singapore. Patients with a diagnostic code of gout who had 2 or more visits between 1st January 2018 and 31st December 2019 were included in the analysis. Data extracted included: demographics, anthropological measurements, comorbidities, serum uric acid levels and medication prescription. A patient is defined to have poor gout control if they suffer two or more acute gout attacks within a year. Chi-Squared test was used for categorical parameters. For continuous variables, univariate logistic regression analysis was first performed. Significant factors (p ≤ 0.1) were then included in the logistics regression model to account for confounders.ResultsA total of 7,970 patients and 24,624 visits were included in the analysis. The prevalence of poorly controlled gout was 28.2% (n = 2,244/7,970); only 46.3% of them (n = 1,039/2,244) were prescribed allopurinol and 13.4% (n = 301/2,244) were taking doses ≥300 mg. Using logistic regression, factors associated with poor gout control were: male gender [adjusted OR (AOR) =1.66, p &lt; 0.001], Malay ethnicity (AOR = 1.27, p = 0.007), congestive heart failure (AOR = 1.64, p = 0.037). Patients prescribed allopurinol (AOR = 1.52, p &lt; 0.001), NSAIDs (AOR = 2.76, p &lt; 0.001) and corticosteroids (AOR = 2.83, p &lt; 0.001) were more likely to have poorly-controlled gout.ConclusionNearly 30% of patients had poor gout. Interventions should focus on male and Malay patients and those with congestive cardiac failure.
Ultrastructural and immunocytochemical evidence of a colonial nervous system in hydroids
Authors: Kosevich Igor A. 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundAs the sister group to all Bilateria, representatives of the phylum Cnidaria (sea anemones, corals, jellyfishes, and hydroids) possess a recognizable and well-developed nervous system and have attracted considerable attention over the years from neurobiologists and evo-devo researchers. Despite a long history of nervous system investigation in Cnidaria, most studies have been performed on unitary organisms. However, the majority of cnidarians are colonial (modular) organisms with unique and specific features of development and function. Nevertheless, data on the nervous system in colonial cnidarians are scarce. Within hydrozoans (Hydrozoa and Cnidaria), a structurally "simple" nervous system has been described for Hydra and zooids of several colonial species. A more complex organization of the nervous system, closely related to the animals' motile mode of life, has been shown for the medusa stage and a few siphonophores. Direct evidence of a colonial nervous system interconnecting zooids of a hydrozoan colony has been obtained only for two species, while it has been stated that in other studied species, the coenosarc lacks nerves.MethodsIn the present study, the presence of a nervous system in the coenosarc of three species of colonial hydroids - the athecate Clava multicornis, and thecate Dynamena pumila and Obelia longissima - was studied based on immunocytochemical and ultrastructural investigations.ResultsConfocal scanning laser microscopy revealed a loose system composed of delicate, mostly bipolar, neurons visualized using a combination of anti-tyrosinated and anti-acetylated a-tubulin antibodies, as well as anti-RF-amide antibodies. Only ganglion nerve cells were observed. The neurites were found in the growing stolon tips close to the tip apex. Ultrastructural data confirmed the presence of neurons in the coenosarc epidermis of all the studied species. In the coenosarc, the neurons and their processes were found to settle on the mesoglea, and the muscle processes were found to overlay the nerve cells. Some of the neurites were found to run within the mesoglea.DiscussionBased on the findings, the possible role of the colonial nervous system in sessile hydroids is discussed.
Matched-pair analysis of the impact of low-dose postoperative radiotherapy on prognosis in patients with advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma without positive surgical margins and extracapsular extension
Authors: Tao Hengmin , Wei Yumei , Shen Zhong , Liu Zhichao 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundWe conducted a comparative analysis between low and high-dose postoperative radiotherapy in patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) in stage III or IV without positive surgical margins and extracapsular extension (ECE). Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to eliminate confounding factors and reduce bias.MethodsThe matched-pair analysis included 156 patients divided into two groups: the low-dose radiotherapy group (LD-RT 50 Gy, 78 cases) and the high-dose radiotherapy group (HD-RT 60 Gy, 78 cases). Both cohorts were statistically comparable in terms of age, gender, subsite, and TNM classification.ResultsThe median follow-up time was 49 months (ranging from 5 to 100 months). The overall survival (OS) rate, progression-free survival (PFS) rate, locoregional control rate (87% vs. 85.7%; p = 0.754), distant metastases-free survival (79.2% vs. 76.6%; p = 0.506), and the occurrence of second primary tumors (96.1% vs. 93.5%; p = 0.347) showed no significant differences between the LD-RT group and the HD-RT group. The 3-year OS was 64.9% and 61% in the low-dose and high-dose group, respectively, and 63% in the entire group (p = 0.547). The 3-year PFS was 63.6% and 54.5% (p = 0.250), respectively, and the 3-year PFS of the entire group was 59.1%. Multivariate analyses revealed that pathological T and N classification, and pathological differentiation were associated with 3-year OS, PFS, and LRFS and were independent prognostic factors (p &lt; 0.05). LD-RT was not associated with an increased risk of death and disease progression compared to HD-RT.ConclusionThe results of postoperative low-dose radiotherapy did not show inferiority to those of high-dose radiation for patients with advanced hypopharyngeal cancer without positive surgical margins and ECE in terms of OS, PFS, locoregional control, and metastases-free survival.
Clinical outcomes of radiation therapy for transgender and gender-expansive people with cancer
Authors: Mansur Arian , Kempf Abigail M. , Bitterman Danielle S. , Patel Chirayu G. , Dyer M Aiven , Haas-Kogan Daphne A. , Liu Kevin X. , Smart Alicia C. 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionApproximately 1.6 million people in the US identify as transgender, many of whom undergo gender-affirming medical or surgical therapies. While transgender individuals are diagnosed with cancer at similar rates as those who are cisgender, the impacts of radiation therapy on outcomes of gender-affirming care in transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive people with cancer are understudied. We report on the experiences and outcomes of transgender and gender-expansive patients receiving radiation therapy for cancer treatment.MethodsThis study is a multi-institutional retrospective review of patients evaluated from 2005-2019 identified as transgender or gender-expansive in the medical record and treated with radiation therapy.ResultsWe identified 23 patients who received radiation to 32 sites, including 12 (38%) to the brain, head, or neck, 8 (25%) to the thorax, and 7 (22%) to the pelvis. Seventeen patients (74%) received gender-affirming hormone therapy and 13 patients (57%) underwent gender-affirming surgery. Four patients had pelvic radiation before or after gender-affirming pelvic surgery, including two trans women who had pelvic radiation after vaginoplasty. Four patients had radiation to the chest or thorax and gender-affirming chest or breast surgery, including two trans men with breast cancer. Two pediatric patients developed hypopituitarism and hypogonadism secondary to radiation therapy and, as adults, changed their hormone replacement therapy to affirm their transgender identities.DiscussionTransgender people with cancer undergo radiation therapy for a wide range of cancers. Understanding their prior gender-affirming medical or surgical treatments and future gender affirmation goals may identify important considerations for their oncologic care.
Prospective assessment of inter-rater reliability of a neonatal adverse event severity scale
Authors: Salaets Thomas , Lacaze-Masmonteil Thierry , Hokuto Isamu , Gauldin Cheri , Taha Amjad , Smits Anne , Thewissen Liesbeth , Van Horebeek Ilse , Shoraisham Armuchou , Mohammad Khorshid , Suzuki Manami , Komachi Shiori , Michels Kurt , Turner Mark A. , Allegaert Karel , Lewis Tamorah 
Published: September 2023

Introduction: To ensure the quality of clinical trial safety data, universal data standards are required. In 2019 the International Neonatal Consortium (INC) published a neonatal adverse event severity scale (NAESS) to standardize the reporting of adverse event (AE) severity. In this study the reliability of AE severity grading with INC NAESS was prospectively assessed in a real-world setting.Methods: Severity of AEs was assessed by two independent observers at each of four centers across the world. In each center two series of 30 neonatal adverse events were assessed by both observers: in a first phase with a generic (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, CTCAE) severity scale not specific to neonates, and in a second phase with INC NAESS (after a structured training). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated to express inter-rater agreement in both phases, and bootstrap sampling was used to compare them.Results: 120 AEs were included in each of both phases. The ICC with the use of INC NAESS in phase 2 was 0.69. This represents a significant but modest improvement in comparison to the initial ICC of 0.66 in phase 1 (confidence interval of ratio of ICC in phase 2 to phase 1 = 1.005–1.146; excludes 1). The ICC was higher for those AEs for which a diagnosis specific AE severity table was available in INC NAESS (ICC 0.80).Discussion: Good inter-rater reliability of the INC NAESS was demonstrated in four neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) across the globe. The ICC is comparable to what is reported for scales with similar purposes in different populations. There is a modest, but significant, improvement in inter-rater agreement in comparison to the naïve phase without INC NAESS. The better performance when reviewers use AE-specific NAESS tables highlights the need to expand the number of AEs that are covered by specific criteria in the current version of INC NAESS.
Analyzing the research landscape: Mapping frontiers and hot spots in anti-cancer research using bibliometric analysis and research network pharmacology
Authors: Han Qi , Li Zhongxun , Fu Yang , Liu Hongliang , Guo Huina , Guan Xiaoya , Niu Min , Zhang Chunming 
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Network pharmacology has emerged as a forefront and hotspot in anti-cancer. Traditional anti-cancer drugs are limited by the paradigm of “one cancer, one target, one drug,” making it difficult to address the challenges of recurrence and drug resistance. However, the main advantage of network pharmacology lies in its approach from the perspective of molecular network relationships, employing a “one arrow, multiple targets” strategy, which provides a novel pathway for developing anti-cancer drugs. This study employed a bibliometric analysis method to examine network pharmacology’s application and research progress in cancer treatment from January 2008 to May 2023. This research will contribute to revealing its forefront and hotspots, offering new insights and methodologies for future investigations.Methods: We conducted a literature search on network pharmacology research in anti-cancer (NPART) from January 2008 to May 2023, utilizing scientific databases such as Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) and PubMed to retrieve relevant research articles and reviews. Additionally, we employed visualization tools such as Citespace, SCImago Graphica, and VOSviewer to perform bibliometric analysis.Results: This study encompassed 3,018 articles, with 2,210 articles from WoSCC and 808 from PubMed. Firstly, an analysis of the annual national publication trends and citation counts indicated that China and the United States are the primary contributing countries in this field. Secondly, the recent keyword analysis revealed emerging research hotspots in “tumor microenvironment,” “anti-cancer drugs,” and “traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). “ Furthermore, the literature clustering analysis demonstrated that “calycosin,” “molecular mechanism,” “molecular docking,” and “anti-cancer agents” were widely recognized research hotspots and forefront areas in 2023, garnering significant attention and citations in this field. Ultimately, we analyzed the application of NPART and the challenges.Conclusion: This study represents the first comprehensive analysis paper based on bibliometric methods, aiming to investigate the forefront hotspots of network pharmacology in anti-cancer research. The findings of this study will facilitate researchers in swiftly comprehending the current research trends and forefront hotspots in the domain of network pharmacology in cancer research.