bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhanced NRP1 Expression in Dendritic Cells of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Its Impact on T Cell Proliferation
Authors: Choi Yunjung , Lee Eun-Gyeong , Kim Kyoung Min , Yoo Wan-Hee 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background
Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that acts as a receptor of class III/IV semaphorins known to play a role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. To date there has been only limited research into the role NRP1 plays in autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study aimed to investigate the clinical and pathogenetic roles of NRP1 expression in lupus mouse models and patients with SLE.
Methods
NRP1 expression was measured by flow cytometry, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and immunofluorescence assay using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) taken from both healthy controls and patients with SLE, as well as dendritic cells and renal tissues of both control mice and TLR-7 agonist-induced lupus mice. The correlation between NRP1 expression in PBMCs and disease activity markers were analyzed in patients with SLE (n = 57). To determine the effects of NRP1 on dendritic cells on T cells, as well as their mechanism, a proliferation assay was performed by flow cytometry, and the underlying signaling, including the MAPKs and NF-κB pathway, were examined with immunoblotting.
Results
The expression of NRP1 in dendritic cells and the kidneys was significantly higher in the lupus murine group than in the control group. The dendritic cells in the patients with SLE also showed a markedly higher expression of NRP1 than those of the healthy controls. The correlation analysis showed a significant positive relationship between NRP1 expression and disease activity markers, which included SLEDAI-2K score, as well as C3, C4 and anti-dsDNA antibody titers. The NRP1 antagonist (EG00229) decreased the capacity of dendritic cells on the proliferation of T cells under the condition of TLR7 agonist stimulation. It also downregulated the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and NF-κB in dendritic cells.
Conclusion
Our results show that NRP1 is highly expressed in the dendritic cells of SLE patients, and its expression is significantly correlated with known disease activity markers. The inhibition of NRP1 in dendritic cells diminishes the proliferation of T cells, an effect that is mediated by the suppression of MAPKs and NF-kB signaling. These results indicate that dendritic cells with enhanced NRP1 expression alter immune functions by increasing T cell proliferation as part of the pathogenesis of SLE; accordingly, NRP1 may be a potential target in the search for a treatment for SLE.
“You can’t die here”: An exploration of the barriers to dying-in-place for structurally vulnerable populations
Authors: Stajduhar Kelli I. , Giesbrecht Melissa , Mollison Ashley , Whitlock Kara , Burek Piotr , Black Fraser , Gerke Jill , Dosani Naheed , Colgan Simon 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background: One measure of quality in palliative care involves ensuring people approaching the end of life are able to receive care, and ultimately die, in the places they choose. Canadian palliative care policy directives stem from this tenet of autonomy, acknowledging that most people prefer to die at home, where they feel safe and comfortable. Limited research, however, considers the lack of ‘choice’ people positioned as structurally vulnerable (e.g., experiencing extreme poverty, homelessness, substance-use/criminalization, etc.) have in regard to places of care and death, with the option of dying-in-place most often denied.
Methods: Drawing from ethnographic and participatory action research data collected during two studies that took place from 2014 to 2019 in an urban centre in British Columbia, Canada, this analysis explores barriers preventing people who experience social and structural inequity the option to die-in-place. Participants include: (1) people positioned as structurally vulnerable on a palliative trajectory; (2) their informal support persons/family caregivers (e.g., street family); (3) community service providers (e.g., housing workers, medical professionals); and (4) key informants (e.g., managers, medical directors, executive directors). Data includes observational fieldnotes, focus group and interviews transcripts. Interpretive thematic analytic techniques were employed.
Results: Participants on a palliative trajectory lacked access to stable, affordable, or permanent housing, yet expressed their desire to stay ‘in-place’ at the end-of-life. Analysis reveals three main barriers impeding their ‘choice’ to remain in-place at the end-of-life: (1) Misaligned perceptions of risk and safety; (2) Challenges managing pain in the context of substance use, stigma, and discrimination; and (3) Gaps between protocols, policies, and procedures for health teams.
Conclusions: Common rhetoric regarding ‘choice’ in regard to preferred place of death fails to acknowledge how social and structural forces eliminates options for structurally vulnerable populations. Re-defining ‘home’ within palliative care, enhancing supports, education, and training for community care workers, integrating palliative approaches to care into the everyday work of non-health care providers, and acknowledging, valuing, and building upon existing relations of care, can help to overcome existing barriers to delivering palliative care in various settings, while increasing the opportunity for all to spend their end of life in the places that they prefer.
Socio-demographic Determinants of the Knowledge of Monkeypox Virus among the General Public: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Tertiary Care Center in Nepal
Authors: Das Santa Kumar , Bhattarai Abhinav , Paudel Kiran , Bhusal Sandesh , Shah Sangam , Timsina Sakchhyam , Subedi Aastha , Niraula Sandhya , Alshahrani Najim Z. , Sah Sanjit , Padhi Bijaya Kumar , Barboza Joshuan J. , Rodriguez-Morales Alfonso J. , Salas-Matta Luis A. , Bonilla-Aldana D. Katterine , Sah Ranjit 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background and Objective
Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is the causative agent of monkeypox's zoonotic infection and was declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO). Studies from different countries have shown insufficient knowledge among the general public on MPXV. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of the general public of Nepal on MPXV.
Methods
Three hundred people were interviewed in person in October 2022, and 282 complete responses were recorded. The questionnaire related to the knowledge of MPXV was derived from a previous study conducted among the general population of Saudi Arabia. Twenty-two questions were included that assessed the knowledge and attitude of Nepalese toward monkeypox. Statistical comparison between high and low knowledge was performed using Pearson's Chi-square test. Logistic regression models were deployed to establish the relationship between participants' knowledge and socio-demographic characteristics.
Results
Among the total respondents, 53.8% demonstrated high knowledge of monkeypox. People aged 18-25 years, unmarried people, and those living in urban areas had significantly higher levels of knowledge. Most respondents believed that MPXV is not a conspiracy or bioterrorism (63.1%) and agreed that it is likely to affect people's social and economic life as COVID-19 did (67.0%). The history of COVID-19 vaccination (aOR: 2.980; 95%CI: 1.227, 7.236) and the younger age (aOR: 2.975; 95%CI: 1.097, 8.069) were found to be significant determinants of the knowledge of the participants on monkeypox.
Conclusion
We observed that most Nepalese populations had a high knowledge of monkeypox and that social media was the most valuable source of information.
Difference Expression Of m6A Regulators In Breast Cancer and Its Relationship With Immune Response
Authors: Tuersuntuoheti Muhairemu. , Chen Xiaofang , Ou Jianghua , Yi Lina , Paizula Xuelaiti. , Li Yongtao 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Objective.
RNA N6-methyl adenosine (m6A) plays a key role in tumor development. However, its role in breast cancer has not been fully elucidated.
Methods.
In this study, 23 M6A RNA regulatory factors were systematically analyzed from the TCGA database to analyze the relationship between M6A and breast cancer by bioinformatics. Then, We further detected the expression of M6A by immunohistochemical method, and analyzed the relationship between it and the prognosis of breast cancer
Results.
We found increased expression of 6 regulators in breast cancer patients. We further studied the effect of abnormal expression of CBLL1, YTHDC1, METTL14, HNRNPA2B1, RBMX, and HNRNPC on the survival time of breast cancer. In addition, we also found that the abnormality of the M6A regulatory factor is closely related to immune infiltration and genetic changes.
Conclusions.
Our findings suggest that the expression of M6A regulators in breast cancer has important clinical diagnostic significance and that abnormal expression may be associated with poor clinical prognosis in BC. This helps to provide us with a new direction of targeted therapy for breast cancer.
Heparin enables the reliable detection of endotoxin in human blood samples using the Limulus amebocyte lysate assay
Authors: Harm Stephan , Schildböck Claudia , Cont Denisa , Weber Viktoria 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The determination of lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin) in serum or plasma samples using Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL)-based assays is currently not sufficiently reliable in clinical diagnostics due to numerous interfering factors that strongly reduce the recovery of LPS in clinical samples. The specific plasma components responsible for the endotoxin neutralizing capacity of human blood remain to be identified. There are indications that certain endotoxin-neutralizing proteins or peptides, which are part of the host defense peptides/proteins of the innate immune system may be responsible for this effect. Based on our finding that several antimicrobial peptides can be neutralized by the polyanion heparin, we developed a heparin-containing diluent for serum and plasma samples, which enables reliable quantification of LPS measurement in clinical samples using the LAL assay. In a study involving 40 donors, this improved protocol yielded an over 8-fold increase in LPS recovery in serum samples, as compared to the standard protocol. This modified protocol of sample pretreatment could make LPS measurement a valuable tool in medical diagnostics.
Assessment of metal pollution and its association with human health risk in urban areas of Myanmar
Authors: Soe Pyae Sone , Mon Ei Ei , Nakata Haruhiko , Kobayashi Jun , Ishibashi Yasuhiro , Agusa Tetsuro 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
This study analyzed metals in road dust from urban areas of Yangon and Mandalay and sub-urban areas of Pathein and Wundwin in Myanmar. Concentrations of Al, Se, Cd, Gd, Hg, and Tl in road dust were the highest in Mandalay. In urban areas, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ga, and Pb concentrations were significantly higher than suburban areas. Metal pollution in urban areas and regional difference in metal concentrations between the northern region (Mandalay and Wundwin) and the southern region (Yangon and Pathein) were explained by principal component analysis (PCA). Positive matrix factorization model extracted two potential factors of metal sources; one was vehicle emissions and industrial activities by Ag, Zn, Mo, Cd, Cu, and Pb and other was natural source by Al, Rb, Sr, Gd, and Tl. Moreover, those factors supported above site specific difference in metal and PCA results, suggesting urban metal pollution in Yangon and Pathein and background difference in metal concentrations between the North and the South. Geomean of hazard index (HI) for adults and children were less than one. However, a study location from Yangon showed above one of HI for children indicated that few human health risk in the studied areas of Myanmar is considered in general.
In situ sulfonated mesoporous polydivinylbenzene as a solid acid catalyzed the condensation of phenol and acetone
Authors: Wei Ning , Wang Qingyin , Guo Li , Wang Danjun , Chen Tong , Wang Gongying 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The preparation of sulfonic acid solid acid by in situ sulfonation method is simpler, safer, and produces less acidic waste liquid than by post sulfonation method. In this paper, sulfonated mesoporous polydivinylbenzene solid acid was prepared by in situ sulfonation method, and the physical and chemical properties of solid acids were characterized by XRD, BET, FT-IR, etc. The acid density of sulfonated mesoporous polyvinylbenzene was characterized by acid base titration, and the results showed that the acid density was 1.58 mmol H+/g. The condensation of phenol and acetone was used as a probe reaction to investigate the catalytic performance of sulfonated mesoporous polydivinylbenzene as a solid acid. The results showed that the conversion rate of phenol could reach 38% (phenol theoretical conversion of 40%) and the selectivity of Bisphenol-A was 91% at 90 oC. More importantly, sulfonated mesoporous polydivinylbenzene had good stability, and after repeated use for five times, the catalytic performance was not significantly reduced.
Mycorrhizae-rhizobacterial interaction to enhance the growth, development, nutrient content, and physiological attributes of okra in compost amended soil
Authors: Niaz Humaira , Mushtaq Zain , Jaffar Muhammad Tauseef , Zhang Jianguo , Asghar Hafiz Naeem 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Soil fertility, soil quality, and crop yield decline due to the misuse of chemical fertilizers. Eco-friendly strategies based on biological or organic procedures can mitigate the harmful effects of agrochemicals on the environment. A more effective option for boosting plant development and production is the use of Arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi (AMF) and plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPR). Therefore, a completely randomized design (CRD) pot experiment was carried out to assess the efficacy of AMF, PGPR, and their interaction in enhancing okra's growth, physiology, nutrient absorption, and yield, with and without the addition of compost. While both AMF and PGPR improved the traits that were tested, the results showed that combined inoculation of the two was far more effective than either inoculation alone or the control treatment at increasing fresh and dry weight, plant length, fruit yield per plant, chlorophyll A and B, and carotenoids. The combined application of AMF and PGPR significantly enhanced the plant height (48.4%), the number of okra fruits (87.4%), fresh weight (60.7%), dry weight (83.2%), and P (63.2%) without compost but the maximum increase in N (55.5%) and K (64%) concentrations, stomatal conductance (22.1%), transpiration rate (2.7 times), photosynthetic (1.4 times), water use efficiency (1.1 times) was found under combined inoculation of AMF and PGPR in compost amended soil. Pearson correlation showed that the plant height, number of okra fruits, and fresh and dry weight were significantly associated with chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoid, water use efficiency, and P concentration. The PLS-SEM showed that the 88% shift in nutrient concentration and 98.5% variation (indirectly) in growth and yield can be elucidated by the addition of microbes under compost amendment. The PCA results concluded that the studied attributes were improved under the integrated application of AMF and PGPR, especially in compost-amended soil.
Symptomatic clusters related to amyloid positivity in cognitively unimpaired individuals
Authors: Sannemann Lena , Bartels Claudia , Brosseron Frederic , Buerger Katharina , Fliessbach Klaus , Freiesleben Silka Dawn , Frommann Ingo , Glanz Wenzel , Heneka Michael T. , Janowitz Daniel , Kilimann Ingo , Kleineidam Luca , Lammerding Dominik , Laske Christoph , Munk Matthias H. J. , Perneczky Robert , Peters Oliver , Priller Josef , Rauchmann Boris-Stephan , Rostamzadeh Ayda , Roy-Kluth Nina , Schild Ann-Katrin , Schneider Anja , Schneider Luisa-Sophie , Spottke Annika , Spruth Eike Jakob , Teipel Stefan , Wagner Michael , Wiltfang Jens , Wolfsgruber Steffen , Duezel Emrah , Jessen Frank 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background: The NIA-AA Research Framework on Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) proposes a transitional stage (stage 2) between the fully asymptomatic stage 1 and mild cognitive impairment (stage 3) in the evolution of symptoms over the disease course. Proposed features of stage 2 include subtle cognitive dysfunction, subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and mild neurobehavioral symptoms. Here, we aimed to identify specific clusters of participants based on these features and assess the association with amyloid positivity in cognitively unimpaired individuals.
Methods: We used baseline data of n=338 participants from the German DZNE Longitudinal Cognitive Impairment and Dementia (DELCODE) study without objective evidence of cognitive impairment and with available data on cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers for AD. Specifically, healthy controls (n=90), participants with SCD (n=202) and first-degree relatives of AD patients (n=46) were included. Classification into the Alzheimer’s continuum (i.e., amyloid positivity, A+) was based on Aß42/40 status. Neuropsychological test data were used to assess subtle objective cognitive dysfunction (OBJ), the subjective cognitive decline interview (SCD-I) was used to detect SCD, and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q) was used to assess neurobehavioral changes (NPS). A two-step cluster analysis was carried out and differences in AD biomarkers between clusters were analysed.
Results: We identified three distinct participant clusters based on presented symptoms. The highest rate of A+ participants (47.6%) was found in a cluster characterized by both OBJ and SCD. A cluster of participants that presented with SCD and NPS (A+:26.6%) and a cluster of participants with overall few symptoms (A+:19.7%) showed amyloid positivity in a range that was not higher than the expected A+ rate for the age group. Across the full sample, participants with a combination of SCD and OBJ in the memory domain showed a lower Aß42/ptau181 ratio compared to those with neither SCD nor OBJ.
Conclusion: In this study, we identified three distinct clusters of participants based on symptoms associated with the NIA-AA stage 2. The cluster characterized by OBJ and concomitant SCD was associated with an increased A+ frequency, suggesting that this combination is enriched for stage 2 of the Alzheimer’s continuum.
Trial registration
German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00007966. Registered 4 May 2015.
Research on Longitudinal change trends and influencing factors of eating behaviour in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma undergoing radiotherapy
Authors: Zhu Yan , Yufang Ren , Wang Guorong 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background: Currently, the longitudinal changes in eating behaviour during radiotherapy and the effect of these changes on dietary intake in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma remain unclear. The purpose of the study was to observe the longitudinal changes in eating behaviour in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma undergoing radiotherapy, and to explore the key factors affecting dietary intake.
Methods: A total of 107 patients were enrolled. Data were collected at eight time points during radiotherapy. Results: After the commencement of radiotherapy, the eating behaviour of patients changed as expected. The intake of calories decreased gradually from 1180.86 ±545.28 kcal to 753.73 ±315.83 kcal. The mixed effect model showed that simultaneous chemotherapy (β =-243.62, P< 0.0001) and a high symptom score (β =-12.1618, P< 0.0001) decreased food intake, while the consumption of a general diet (β = 193.61, P< 0.0001) and oral nutritional supplements (β = 157.7, P< 0.0001) increased food intake.
Conclusions: The results of this study underline the importance of early identification of changes in eating behaviour in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients undergoing radiotherapy. Patients who are unable to consume a general diet or soft foods may ensure stable intake by increasing the frequency of meals and using oral nutritional supplements.
Genomic prediction for agronomic traits in a diverse Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) germplasm collection
Authors: Hoque Ahasanul , Anderson James , Rahman Mukhlesur 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Breeding programs require exhaustive phenotyping of germplasms, which is time-demanding and expensive. Genomic prediction based on next-generation sequencing techniques helps breeders harness the diversity of any collection to bypass phenotyping. Here, we examined the genomic prediction’s potential for seed yield and nine agronomic traits using 26171 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in a set of 337 flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) germplasm, phenotyped in five environments. We evaluated 14 prediction models and several factors affecting predictive ability based on cross-validation schemes. Most models gave close predictive ability values across traits for the whole marker set. Models covering non-additive effects yielded better predictive ability for low heritable traits, though no single model worked best across all traits. Marker subsets based on linkage disequilibrium decay distance gave similar predictive abilities to the whole marker set, but for randomly selected markers, it reached a plateau above 3000 markers. Markers having significant association with traits improved predictive abilities compared to the whole marker set, when marker selection was made on the whole population instead of the training set indicating a clear overfitting. The correction for population structure did not increase predictive abilities compared to the whole collection. However, stratified sampling by picking representative genotypes from each cluster improved predictive abilities. The indirect predictive ability for a trait was proportionate to its correlation with other traits. These results will help breeders to select the best models, optimum marker set, and suitable genotype set to perform an indirect selection for quantitative traits in this diverse flax germplasm collection.