bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Formononetin isolated from Sophorae flavescentis inhibits B cell-IgE production by regulating ER-stress transcription factor XBP-1
Authors: Yang Nan , Musa Ibrahim , Maskey Anish R. , Li Ke , Wang Zhenzhen , Liang Banghao , Zhang Shuwei , Zhan Jixun , Li Xiu-Min 
Published: February 2023

RationaleIgE plays an important pathologic role in most, if not all, allergic conditions. We previously showed that ASHMI (anti-asthma herbal medicine intervention) suppressed IgE production in murine models of asthma and in asthma subjects. However, the active compounds in ASHMI responsible for the IgE suppression are still unknown.ObjectiveWe sought to identify the compound(s) in ASHMI that are responsible for IgE inhibition as well as investigate the mechanisms by which the identified compound(s) decreases IgE production.MethodsThe compounds in Sophorae Flavescentis were separated using Column chromatography and preparative-HPLC. The separated compounds were identified using LC-MS and 1H-NMR. U266 cells, an IgE-producing plasma cell line, were cultured with various concentrations of identified compounds. The levels of IgE production by the U266 cell were measured by ELISA. Trypan blue exclusion was used to determine the cell viability. The gene expression of XBP-1 and IgE-heavy chain was determined by RT-PCR.ResultsA single compound identified as formononetin was isolated from Sophorae Flavescentis. Formononetin significantly and dose dependently decreased the IgE production in U266 cells across a concentration range of 2–20 µg/ml (p &lt; 0.05–0.001 vs. untreated cells) with an IC50 value of 3.43 μg/ml. There was no cytotoxicity at any tested concentration. Formononetin significantly decreased XBP-1, and IgE-heavy chain gene expression compared with untreated cells (p &lt; 0.001).ConclusionFormononetin decreased IgE production in human B cell line U266 cells in a dose-dependent fashion through the regulation of XBP-1 ER transcription. Formononetin may be a potential therapy for allergic asthma and other IgE-mediated diseases.
Recent advances in antibacterial coatings for orthodontic appliances
Authors: Wang Nannan , Yu Jingjing , Yan Jiarong , Hua Fang 
Published: February 2023

In the process of orthodontic treatment, the presence of orthodontic appliances makes it difficult to clean tooth surfaces. This can lead to an increased level of bacterial colonization, resulting in enamel demineralization and periodontal diseases. Considering the large surface area that orthodontic appliances usually have and that they can be in direct contact with bacteria throughout the treatment, modifications in the form of coatings on the surface of orthodontic appliances can be an effective and practical approach to reducing bacterial proliferation and preventing relevant adverse effects. In this mini-review, we discuss various antibacterial coatings which have been applied onto orthodontic appliances in recent 5 years, as well as their antibacterial mechanisms and methods for the preparation of these coatings. From this mini-review, both orthodontists and researchers can get the latest findings in the field of antibacterial coatings onto orthodontic appliances, which is helpful for the decision-making in clinical practice and research activities.
Efficient removal of bovine serum albumin from water by cellulose acetate membranes modified with clay and titania nano particles
Authors: Refaat Heba M. , Ashraf Nada , El-Dissouky Ali , Tieama Hossam A. , Kamoun Elbadawy A. , Showman M. S. 
Published: February 2023

Modified cellulose acetate membranes with bentonite clay (CA/bent) and TiO2 nanoparticles (CA/TiO2) using the phase inversion method are successfully prepared and characterized. These Membranes are favored due to their high salt rejection properties and recyclability. The IR and EDX spectral data indicate the formation of modified membranes. The Scan Electron Microscope micrographs show that the modified membranes have smaller particle sizes with higher porosity than the neat membrane. The average pore diameter is 0.31 µm for neat cellulose acetate membrane (CA) and decreases to 0.1 µm for CA/0.05bent. All modified membranes exhibit tensile strengths and elongation percentages more than the neat membrane. The higher tensile strength and the maximum elongation% are 15.3 N/cm2 and 11.78%, respectively, for CA/0.05bent. The thermogravimetric analysis of modified membranes shows higher thermal stability than the neat membrane. The modified membranes exhibit enhanced wettability and hydrophilicity compared with cellulose acetate, by measuring the contact angle which decreases from 60° (CA) to 40° (CA/0.1bent). The ultrafiltration tests indicated that the CA/bent and CA/TiO2 are better than CA. The most efficient nanocomposite membrane is CA/0.05bent with 100% removal of (BSA) from industrial water with a flux equal to 9.5 mL/min under an applied pressure of 20 bar. Thus, this study introduces a novel ultrafiltration membrane (CA/0.05bent) that can be used effectively to completely remove bovine serum albumin from contaminated water.
circRNA, a novel diagnostic biomarker for coronary heart disease
Authors: Tong Xiao , Zhao Xinyi , Dang Xuan , Kou Yan , Kou Junjie 
Published: February 2023

ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify the potential diagnostic biomarkers of coronary heart disease (CHD) from exosome-derived circRNA.MethodsThe microarray data of circRNA derived from the exosomes of patients with CHD and mRNA in acute myocardial infarction was retrieved from exoRBase website and GEO database (GSE61144), respectively, to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Our findings detected the differentially expressed circRNAs and mRNAs and predicted their correlation with microRNAs using the microRNA target prediction website, thus ascertaining the corresponding circ-microRNA and micro-mRNAs. Then, we performed systematic Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis on the differentially expressed mRNA. Protein-Protein Interactions (PPI) of these DEGs were examined using STRING. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to validate the diagnostic efficacy of circRNA in patients with CHD. Finally, the RNAs identified in this study were verified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).ResultsA total of 85 differentially expressed circRNAs (4 up-regulated and 81 down-regulated) were identified by screening the circRNAs in exosome of CHD patients. Based on the prediction data of circRNA, mRNA, and the corresponding microRNA, a ceRNA network was constructed, including 7 circRNA nodes, 5 microRNA nodes, and 2 mRNA nodes. Finally, validated by qRT-PCR testing, we found circRNA0001785, circRNA0000973, circRNA0001741, and circRNA0003922 to be the promising candidate for the effective prediction of CHD. These potential diagnostic markers can provide insight for further research on the occurrence of CHD or even acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
Citalopram in the treatment of elderly chronic heart failure combined with depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yan Longmei , Ai Yuzhen , Xing Yaxuan , Wang Biqing , Gao Anran , Xu Qiwu , Li Hongzheng , Chen Keji , Zhang Jingchun 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundDepression is an independent factor to predict the hospitalization and mortality in the chronic HF patients. Citalopram is known as an effective drug for depression treatment. Currently, there is no specific recommendation in the HF guidelines for the treatment of psychological comorbidity. In recent years, many studies have shown that the citalopram may be safe in treating of chronic HF with depression.ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of the citalopram in the treatment of elderly chronic HF combined with depression.MethodsPubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP, CBM, and Wanfang were searched from their inception to May 2022. In the treatment of elderly chronic HF combined with depression, randomized controlled studies of the citalopram were included. Independent screening and extraction of data information were conducted by two researchers, and the quality was assessed by the Cochrane bias risk assessment tool. Review manager 5.4.1 was employed for statistical analysis.ResultsThe results of meta-analysis prove that the citalopram treatment for depressed patients with chronic HF has a benefit for HAMD-24 (MD: −8.51, 95% CI: −10.15 to −6.88) and LVEF (MD: 2.42, 95% CI: 0.51 to 4.33). Moreover, the score of GDS decreases, and NT-proBNP (MD: −537.78, 95% CI: −718.03 to −357.54) is improved. However, the comparison with the control group indicates that there is no good effect on HAMD-17 (MD: −5.14, 95% CI: −11.60 to 1.32), MADRS (MD: −1.57, 95% CI: −3.47 to 0.32) and LVEDD (MD: −1.45, 95% CI: −3.65 to −0.76). No obvious adverse drug reactions were observed.ConclusionCitalopram treatment for depressed patients with chronic HF has a positive effect on LVEF and NT-proBNP. It can alleviate HAMD-24 and GDS, but the relative benefits for LVEDD, HAMD-17 and MADRS still need to be verified.Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO [CRD42021289917].
Analysis of the 2021 Milford, Utah earthquake swarm: Enhanced earthquake catalog and migration patterns
Authors: Whidden Katherine M. , Petersen Gesa M. , Mesimeri Maria , Pankow Kristine L. 
Published: February 2023

An earthquake swarm occurred in Spring 2021 in south-central Utah near the town of Milford. The University of Utah Seismograph Stations located 125 earthquakes between March 19 and May 10 with magnitudes ranging from 0.5 to 3.2. We implement a matched-filter technique in order to identify additional earthquakes that went undetected during the routine network location. The 125 network-located earthquakes are used as templates and are cross-correlated with continuous data for the dates Feb 17—June 10. This time period corresponds to approximately 1 month before the earthquake swarm began through 1 month after it ended. For the matched-filter analysis, we rely heavily on station FOR1, which is located within 5 km of most template events. Four other stations within 20–30 km of most template events provide a supplement to the closest station. The matched-filter implementation results in the detection of over 600 earthquakes in addition to the original 125 catalog events. This is one of the largest swarms ever recorded in Utah, and no previous large swarms have been recorded in this location. We use HypoDD to obtain relative double-difference locations of the catalog events. Both routine locations and HypoDD relocations of the catalog events suggest a fault dipping west beneath the mountain range, opposite of typical Basin and Range normal faults that dip beneath alluvial valleys. Moment tensors for the largest five events show normal faulting consistent with the west-dipping fault seen in the seismicity. Hydrothermal features in the area, including a geothermal power plant, suggest that fluids may be a contributing factor to the earthquake swarm triggering. We examine the role of fluids by exploring bounds on diffusion parameters and investigating spatial migration characteristics of the swarm seismicity. We conclude that this swarm is the result of heterogenous stress conditions in a prefractured region.
Individual species and site dynamics are the main drivers of spatial scaling of stability in aquatic communities
Authors: Hodapp Dorothee , Armonies Werner , Dannheim Jennifer , Downing John A. , Filstrup Christopher T. , Hillebrand Helmut 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionAny measure of ecological stability scales with the spatial and temporal extent of the data on which it is based. The magnitude of stabilization effects at increasing spatial scale is determined by the degree of synchrony between local and regional species populations.MethodsWe applied two recently developed approaches to quantify these stabilizing effects to time series records from three aquatic monitoring data sets differing in environmental context and organism type.Results and DiscussionWe found that the amount and general patterns of stabilization with increasing spatial scale only varied slightly across the investigated species groups and systems. In all three data sets, the relative contribution of stabilizing effects via asynchronous dynamics across space was higher than compensatory dynamics due to differences in biomass fluctuations across species and populations. When relating the stabilizing effects of individual species and sites to species and site-specific characteristics as well as community composition and aspects of spatial biomass distribution patterns, however, we found that the effects of single species and sites showed large differences and were highly context dependent, i.e., dominant species can but did not necessarily have highly stabilizing or destabilizing effects on overall community biomass. The sign and magnitude of individual contributions depended on community structure and the spatial distribution of biomass and species in space. Our study therefore provides new insights into the mechanistic understanding of ecological stability patterns across scales in natural species communities.
Identification of the core genes in Randall’s plaque of kidney stone and immune infiltration with WGCNA network
Authors: Yu Lingyun , Li Gefei , Jin Shiyao , Su Jiahong , Li Shoulin 
Published: February 2023

Background: Randall’s plaque is regarded as the precursor lesion of lithiasis. However, traditional bioinformatic analysis is limited and ignores the relationship with immune response. To investigate the underlying calculi formation mechanism, we introduced innovative algorithms to expand our understanding of kidney stone disease.Methods: We downloaded the GSE73680 series matrix from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) related to CaOx formation and excluded one patient, GSE116860. In the RStudio (R version 4.1.1) platform, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified with the limma package for GO/KEGG/GSEA analysis in the clusterProfiler package. Furthermore, high-correlated gene co-expression modules were confirmed by the WGCNA package to establish a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network. Finally, the CaOx samples were processed by the CIBERSORT algorithm to anchor the key immune cells group and verified in the validation series matrix GSE117518.Results: The study identified 840 upregulated and 1065 downregulated genes. The GO/KEGG results revealed fiber-related or adhesion-related terms and several pathways in addition to various diseases identified from the DO analysis. Moreover, WGCNA selected highly correlated modules to construct a PPI network. Finally, 16 types of immune cells are thought to participate in urolithiasis pathology and are related to hub genes in the PPI network that are proven significant in the validation series matrix GSE117518.Conclusion: Randall’s plaque may relate to genes DCN, LUM, and P4HA2 and M2 macrophages and resting mast immune cells. These findings could serve as potential biomarkers and provide new research directions.
COVID-19 in children and the influence on the employment activity of their female caregivers: A cross sectional gender perspective study
Authors: Jaime Trujillo Catalina , Herrera Olano Natalia , Rico Gutiérrez Kevin , Medellín Daniela , Sánchez Paola , Mesa-Rubio María Lucía , Naranjo Melisa Sofía , Moreno Sergio Mauricio , Bonilla Carolina , Barrera Pedro , Restrepo-Gualteros Sonia M. , Mejia Luz Marina , Baquero Olga Lucía , Piñeros Juan Gabriel , Ramírez Varela Andrea 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, women disproportionately assume more unpaid activities, affecting their employment.ObjectiveDescribe the influence of COVID-19 on the employment of caregivers of children and adolescents from a gender perspective.MethodsCross-sectional study in three high-complexity hospitals in Bogotá, Colombia from April 2020 to June 2021. A subsample of the FARA cohort was taken, including those patients with a positive test for SARS-COV2. We took as our analysis category children older than 8 years and younger than 18 years who had a positive SARS-COV2 test, as well as, caregivers of all children with a positive SARS-COV2 test. This subsample was drawn from the FARA cohort. A survey was applied to them. We carried out a descriptive and stratified analysis by age group, educational, and socioeconomic level.ResultsWe included 60 surveys of caregivers and 10 surveys of children. The main caregiver in 94.8% of the cases was a female. At the beginning of the pandemic, 63.3% of the caregivers were employed, and 78.9% of those lost their employment. The vast majority of these caregiver were women (96.6%, n = 29). A predominance of loss of work activity was documented in caregivers of children in early childhood 66.6% (n = 20), with lower education 66.6% (n = 20), and from lower strata 56.6% (n = 17).ConclusionCaregivers of children with COVID-19 with low educational levels and lower socioeconomic conditions, as well as those with children under 5 years showed greater likelihood of employment loss between the interviewed subsample.
Differential haplotype expression in class I MHC genes during SARS-CoV-2 infection of human lung cell lines
Authors: Francisco Junior Ronaldo da Silva , Temerozo Jairo R. , Ferreira Cristina dos Santos , Martins Yasmmin , Souza Thiago Moreno L. , Medina-Acosta Enrique , Vasconcelos Ana Tereza Ribeiro de 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionCell entry of SARS-CoV-2 causes genome-wide disruption of the transcriptional profiles of genes and biological pathways involved in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Expression allelic imbalance is characterized by a deviation from the Mendelian expected 1:1 expression ratio and is an important source of allele-specific heterogeneity. Expression allelic imbalance can be measured by allele-specific expression analysis (ASE) across heterozygous informative expressed single nucleotide variants (eSNVs). ASE reflects many regulatory biological phenomena that can be assessed by combining genome and transcriptome information. ASE contributes to the interindividual variability associated with the disease. We aim to estimate the transcriptome-wide impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection by analyzing eSNVs.MethodsWe compared ASE profiles in the human lung cell lines Calu-3, A459, and H522 before and after infection with SARS-CoV-2 using RNA-Seq experiments.ResultsWe identified 34 differential ASE (DASE) sites in 13 genes (HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, BRD2, EHD2, GFM2, GSPT1, HAVCR1, MAT2A, NQO2, SUPT6H, TNFRSF11A, UMPS), all of which are enriched in protein binding functions and play a role in COVID-19. Most DASE sites were assigned to the MHC class I locus and were predominantly upregulated upon infection. DASE sites in the MHC class I locus also occur in iPSC-derived airway epithelium basal cells infected with SARS-CoV-2. Using an RNA-Seq haplotype reconstruction approach, we found DASE sites and adjacent eSNVs in phase (i.e., predicted on the same DNA strand), demonstrating differential haplotype expression upon infection. We found a bias towards the expression of the HLA alleles with a higher binding affinity to SARS-CoV-2 epitopes.DiscussionIndependent of gene expression compensation, SARS-CoV-2 infection of human lung cell lines induces transcriptional allelic switching at the MHC loci. This suggests a response mechanism to SARS-CoV-2 infection that swaps HLA alleles with poor epitope binding affinity, an expectation supported by publicly available proteome data.
Chronological changes of viral shedding in adult inpatients with Omicron infection in Shanghai, China
Authors: Zhou Xinru , Huang Xiaochun , Sun Tingting , Jin Xiaolan , Tian Zhaofeng , Xue Miao , Kang Jinsong , Gao Bai , Xu Aijing , Chen Yi , Jia Yin , Liu Shanrong 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the Omicron variant occurred in Shanghai, China, but its clinical characteristics and virology have not been comprehensively described.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included adult inpatients (≥18 years) diagnosed with COVID-19 at Changhai Hospital. Laboratory and clinical data were obtained from electronic medical records to investigate the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 and the variations in the patients’ laboratory indexes were examined.ResultsThe symptoms of COVID-19 caused by the Omicron variant were relatively mild. Upper respiratory tract specimens yielded higher positive detection rates than lower respiratory tract and intestinal specimens. Peak COVID-19 viral load was reached at the time of admission; quantification cycle (Cq) values increased to approximately 35 after 8.54 days. In vivo viral shedding duration correlated with age and disease severity (p&lt;0.05). The older the patient and the more severe the disease, the longer the duration of viral shedding was. Portion parameters of blood routine, coagulative function, clinical chemistry, and inflammatory factor showed a certain correlation with the SARS-CoV-2 viral load.ConclusionsVirus replication and shedding are rapid in Omicron-positive patients; COVID-19 in these patients is characterized by acute onset, mild symptoms, and fast recovery. Older patients and those with more severe disease demonstrate prolonged virus shedding. Routine hematological indexes can reveal disease severity and help clinically evaluate the patient’s condition.
TRPV6 deficiency attenuates stress and corticosterone-mediated exacerbation of alcohol-induced gut barrier dysfunction and systemic inflammation
Authors: Meena Avtar S. , Shukla Pradeep K. , Rao Rupa , Canelas Cherie , Pierre Joseph F. , Rao RadhaKrishna 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionChronic stress is co-morbid with alcohol use disorder that feedback on one another, thus impeding recovery from both disorders. Stress and the stress hormone corticosterone aggravate alcohol-induced intestinal permeability and liver damage. However, the mechanisms involved in compounding tissue injury by stress/corticosterone and alcohol are poorly defined. Here we explored the involvement of the TRPV6 channel in stress (or corticosterone) 3and alcohol-induced intestinal epithelial permeability, microbiota dysbiosis, and systemic inflammation. MethodsChronic alcohol feeding was performed on adult wild-type and Trpv6-/- mice with or without corticosterone treatment or chronic restraint stress (CRS). The barrier function was determined by evaluating inulin permeability in vivo and assessing tight junction (TJ) and adherens junction (AJ) integrity by immunofluorescence microscopy. The gut microbiota composition was evaluated by 16S rRNA sequencing and metagenomic analyses. Systemic responses were assessed by evaluating endotoxemia, systemic inflammation, and liver damage.ResultsCorticosterone and CRS disrupted TJ and AJ, increased intestinal mucosal permeability, and caused endotoxemia, systemic inflammation, and liver damage in wild-type but not Trpv6-/- mice. Corticosterone and CRS synergistically potentiated the alcohol-induced breakdown of intestinal epithelial junctions, mucosal barrier impairment, endotoxemia, systemic inflammation, and liver damage in wild-type but not Trpv6-/- mice. TRPV6 deficiency also blocked the effects of CRS and CRS-mediated potentiation of alcohol-induced dysbiosis of gut microbiota. ConclusionsThese findings indicate an essential role of TRPV6 in stress, corticosterone, and alcohol-induced intestinal permeability, microbiota dysbiosis, endotoxemia, systemic inflammation, and liver injury. This study identifies TRPV6 as a potential therapeutic target for developing treatment strategies for stress and alcohol-associated comorbidity.