bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perceived Chronic Stress Is Associated With the German Diabetes Risk Score Among Adults Without Known Diabetes in Germany
Authors: Nübel Julia , Du Yong , Baumert Jens , Hapke Ulfert , Färber Francesca , Heidemann Christin , Scheidt-Nave Christa 
Published: March 2023

ABSTRACT

Objective
There is evidence that psychological distress increases the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D), but implications for prevention remain elusive. We examined the association between chronic stress and the German Diabetes Risk Score (GDRS) among adults without diabetes in Germany.

Methods
The study population consisted of 4654 persons aged 18 to 64 years without known diabetes drawn from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (2008–2011). The predicted 5-year T2D risk (in percent) was estimated using the GDRS. Perceived chronic stress was assessed by the Screening Scale of the Trier Inventory for the Assessment of Chronic Stress and categorized into “up to average,” “above average,” and “high.” The cross-sectional association of chronic stress with log-transformed GDRS (expressed as geometric mean ratio [GMR]) was analyzed in multivariable linear regression models. Covariables included age, sex, community size, region, educational level, living alone, social support, depression, and alcohol use.

Results
The mean predicted 5-year T2D risk rates were 2.7%, 2.9%, and 3.0% for chronic stress up to average, above average, and high chronic stress, respectively. Adjusted mean predicted 5-year risk was significantly higher among persons with chronic stress above average (GMR = 1.10, 95% confidence interval = 1.02–1.19) and high stress (GMR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.06–1.39) compared with persons with chronic stress up to average. No interactions with sex or other covariables were found.

Conclusions
Perceived chronic stress is independently associated with an increased predicted T2D risk in cross-sectional analysis and should be considered as T2D risk factor in longitudinal studies.
The Facial Artery Perforator Flap
Authors: Lewis Katelyn , Islam Sara , Phillips Sarah , Carney Martin J , Clune James 
Published: March 2023

Background:
Reconstruction of facial melanoma defects can be challenging. Large defects of the midface, cheek, and nasolabial fold are often reconstructed using a cervicofacial flap which requires significant flap elevation and undermining. Surgeons are often hesitant to commit to such a large reconstruction without definitive pathologic evidence of negative margins. However, local perforator flaps may be used as an alternative to large flaps with less dissection and donor site morbidity and may also allow for more facile re-advancement in the event of a positive margin on final pathology. The goal of this study is to evaluate a perforator flap based on the facial artery to determine if it is a safe and cosmetically favorable option to immediately repair oncologic-related defects on the cheek and midface.

Methods:
A retrospective review of all melanoma cases performed by the senior author between January 2016 and December 2021 was conducted. Patients who underwent reconstruction using a facial artery perforator flap were included.

Results:
Sixteen patients were included in our cohort. The average age was 67.3 years and 53% (n=8) were female. Fourteen patients had the primary defect located on the cheek, 1 from the nasolabial fold, and 1 from the distal nasal sidewall. All patients received immediate reconstruction. Excisional margins ranged from 0.5 to 2 cm. Two patients had positive margins following pathology results with one undergoing treatment with imiquimod and the other opting for re-excision. No complications involving the defect or donor site were reported after an average follow-up time of 113.8 days.

Conclusion:
The facial artery perforator flap is a safe and cosmetically favorable option to immediately repair oncologic-related defects on the cheek and midface.
A Novel Strategy to Achieve Stable and Lasting Double Eyelids in Upper Blepharoplasty
Authors: Gao Shenzhen , Lu Baixue , Gao Weicheng 
Published: March 2023

Background:
Incision blepharoplasty is very common among aesthetic surgery, but the effect of it varies considerably. The quality of incision blepharoplasty is mainly defined by operator’s ability, which will result in the uncertainty of operation result. We are committed to seeking a principle to guide every operator to achieve optimum success.

Materials and Methods:
A retrospective study of 150 patients experienced the new method from January 2020 to May 2022. This method was mainly divided into 4 steps. Firstly, released adhesion between the orbital septum and the levator aponeurosis and the connection between the orbital septum and the pretarsal fascia. Then, dealt with the epicanthus to reduce the resistance. Third, improve the lifting force of opening eyes or decrease the resistance of opening eyes to keep the balance of biomechanics in the upper eyelid. Last, sutured and closed the incision. The postoperative outcomes were assessed by “Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale.”

Result:
The follow-up period at last for 3 months.-The results showed that the rate of “Very much improve” was 88% (132 patients); that of “Much improve” was 9.3% (14 patients); that of “Not change” was 0.6% (1 patient); and that of “Worse” was 2% (3 patients). The recovery time of patients varied from 2 weeks to 1 month. And the complications of the narrowing and lightening of the double-eyelid line decreased.

Conclusion:
Applying the biomechanical balance principle to incision blepharoplasty can generate a more beautiful double-eyelid line and is less likely to trigger off complications.
MicroRNA-22, Specificity protein-1 and Cystathionine β-synthase in early onset Preeclampsia: significance in trophoblast invasion
Authors: Arora Pallavi , Mochan Sankat , Gupta Sunil Kumar , Rani Neerja , Kshetrapal Pallavi , Dwivedi Sadanand , Bhatla Neerja , Dhingra Renu 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIntroductionTrophoblast cell invasion during human placentation is majorly regulated by the balance between MMPs 2, 9 and their inhibitors [tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs 1, 2)]. Exogenous NaHS (hydrogen sulphide donor) treatment was shown to significantly increase the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs 2, 9) in human bladder cancer EJ cells. Epigentically, the gene expression of hydrogen sulphide synthesising enzyme CBS (cystathionine β-synthase) could be further regulated by various mi-RNAs via the transcription factors like Sp1. Specificity protein 1 (Sp1) has been identified as a target gene for miR-22 to regulate the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer cells. However, the mechanism of MMPs regulation by either CBS, Sp1 and miRNA-22 in the pregnancies having early onset preeclampsia is not known.Aim of the studyTo determine and compare the expression of MMPs 2, 9, TIMPs 1, 2, CBS, Sp-1 and miR-22 in early onset preeclamptic patients and normotensive, non-proteinuric controls at both transcription and translation levels.Materials and methods30 pregnant women were enrolled from Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, AIIMS, New Delhi, India. EOPE women (n=15) after clinical diagnosis as per ACOG guidelines were enrolled as cases and normotensive, non-proteinuric pregnant women (n=15) were enrolled as controls. Protocol of the study was approved by Institute Ethics Committee, AIIMS, New Delhi. 30 caesarean delivered placentae (15 each of patients and controls) were collected to analyse the mRNA and protein expression/levels of MMPs 2, 9, TIMPs 1, 2, CBS, and Sp1. Protein activity of MMP-2 and 9 was determined. Gene expression of miR-22 was observed in placentae of the recruited patients and controls. Data were analysed by STATA 14 and Graph Pad Prism 8.ResultsSignificantly reduced mRNA and protein expression/levels of MMPs 2, 9, CBS and Sp1 whereas elevated for those of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 was observed in EOPE patients as compared to controls. Gelatinolytic activity of MMP-2 and 9 was also found significantly reduced in placentae from EOPE patients whereas gene expression of miR-22 was found significantly up regulated in the early onset preeclamptic patients in comparison to controls.ConclusionThis is the first study of its kind which implicates that insufficient trophoblastic invasion may be because of down regulation of MMPs 2, 9, CBS, Sp1 and concomitant up regulation of TIMPs 1, 2 and miR-22 in the early onset preeclamptic patients as compared to controls.
Lifetime risk of maternal near miss morbidity: A novel indicator of maternal health
Authors: Gazeley Ursula , Prieto Julio Romero , Aburto José Manuel , Polizzi Antonino , Reniers Georges , Filippi Veronique 
Published: March 2023

SummaryThe lifetime risk of maternal death is the risk that a 15-year-old girl will die of a maternal cause in her reproductive lifetime. Its intuitive appeal means it is a widely used summary measure for advocacy and international comparisons of maternal health. But relative to mortality, women are at a higher risk of experiencing life-threatening maternal morbidity called “maternal near miss” events – complications so severe that women almost died. As maternal mortality continues to decline, stronger health indicators that include information on both fatal and non-fatal maternal outcomes are required. Thus, we propose a novel measure – the lifetime risk of maternal near miss – to estimate the risk a girl will experience at least one maternal near miss in her reproductive lifetime, accounting for survival from ages 15-49. This new indicator is urgently needed because existing measures of maternal morbidity prevalence (near miss ratio or rate) do not capture the cumulative risk over the reproductive life course. We use estimates of fertility and survival from the World Population Prospects for Kenya in 2021 along with simulated data on the maternal near miss ratio to demonstrate the calculation of the lifetime risk of maternal near miss. We estimate that the lifetime risk of maternal near miss in Kenya is 1 in 37, compared to a lifetime risk of maternal death of 1 in 59.Key messagesWe propose a new indicator – the lifetime risk of maternal near miss – to estimate the risk of a 15-year-old girl experiencing a severe life-threatening maternal complication over her reproductive life course, accounting for survival between the ages 15-49.This indicator is needed because no existing measure of maternal near miss morbidity prevalence (ratio or rate) accounts for the cumulative risk of severe complications with each pregnancy.We demonstrate two methods for the calculation of the lifetime risk of maternal near miss, the choice of which depends on whether (i) estimates of the maternal near miss ratio by age group or, (ii) a summary estimate for ages 15-49 years, are available.We advocate for the use of this indicator to compare trends in maternal near miss morbidity alongside trends in maternal mortality.
Dreams in Blind individuals: A mystery of brain and vision
Authors: Desai Dev 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundDreaming and synthesizing a dream world is a complex process undertaken by the brain with the impulses it has received. It’s often said that blind people can’t see in their dreams but some papers suggest that they in fact do see in their dreams. This knowledge can be used to understand how actually the dream world works and get more insights about the whole process.AimTo identify if different categories of blind individuals can see or not and to understand if they can dream, what type of dreams they get and whether they have vision in their dreams or not.MethodologyA cross sectional survey based study was conducted with interview pattern to identify the patterns of dreaming. Questions about duration since they have visual impairment were also asked and data was digitalized and later analyzed in excel.ResultsA total of 75 visually impaired individuals were recruited for the study who were willing to give consent for the study. It was seen that individuals who lost their sight totally before attaining a level of mental maturity that they can comprehend the concept of light were unable to see in their dreams. Individuals who lost their sight completely after attaining that level of maturity could see in their dreams but the vision in their dreams was only limited to what they had seen and what they could imagine from that limited experience of light sense. Other individuals who still could percept light could see in their dreams what they could see in the real word.ConclusionVisually impaired individuals can in fact see in their dreams provided they still can percept light and see and if they have lost their sight completely then they lost it after gaining enough mental image maturity to understand the concept of light.
Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of Global Longitudinal Strain in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Shi Yujiao , Qing Wang , Liu Chunqiu , Shuang Xiong , Yang Chenguang , Qiao Wenbo , Dong Guoju , Liu Jiangang 
Published: March 2023

AbstractObjectiveHeart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), an increasing public health concern, is increasing in prevalence and is associated with an elevated risk of hospitalization and mortality. Currently, data on the clinical application value of left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) in HFpEF are contradictory. Therefore, we performed the following meta-analysis to appraise the diagnostic and prognostic value of LV GLS in HFpEF.MethodsPubMed, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science were retrieved exhaustively from their inception until December 20, 2022, to obtain literature assessing the diagnostic and prognostic value of LV GLS in HFpEF.ResultsForty-one studies (including 14,543 patients) published from 2008 to 2022 were included. The results of the meta-analysis were as follows: First, the LV GLS values in HFpEF patients were significantly lower than in healthy individuals (SMD:1.21; 95% CI (0.94, 1.47), p<0.00001, I2=85%; P<0.00001), but substantially higher than in HErEF patients (SMD: -2.03; 95% CI (−2.23, -1.72), p<0.00001, I2=92%; P<0.00001). Second, the pooled diagnostic parameters of LV GLS for HFpEF were as follows: sensitivity, 0.77 (95% CI: 0.71–0.82); specificity, 0.66 (95% CI: 0.58–0.74); DOR, 7.53 (95% CI: 3.19–17.74); AUC for the SROC, 0.81 (95% CI: 0.79–0.87). Finally, the low LV GLS values were correlated with a higher risk of all-cause death (HR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.01-1.25; p=0.000, I2=84%; P = 0.031) in HFpEF patients.ConclusionsLV GLS is impaired in HFpEF patients despite a normal left ventricular ejection fraction, indicating the existence of mild LV contractile dysfunction. Moreover, LV GLS might be an auxiliary indicator for diagnosing HFpEF and predicting all-cause death in HFpEF patients.
WITHDRAWN: Signal Transduction and Kinase Control in Nanodisc-ReconstitutedE. coliAerotaxis Receptor
Authors: Maschmann Zachary A. , Chandrasekaran Siddarth , Anderson Elizabeth T. , Fu Qin , Freed Jack H. , Crane Brian R. 
Published: March 2023

WITHDRAWAL STATEMENTThe authors have withdrawn this manuscript because it’s being revised. The authors wish to withdraw this manuscript for two reasons. Firstly, the relevance and validity of some of the mass spectrometry data in the manuscript are being questioned by the authors. Secondly, some of the authors had not adequately reviewed the manuscript before it was uploaded to bioRxiv. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as reference for the project. If you have any questions, please contact the corresponding author.
Increased intracellular persulfide levels attenuate HlyU-mediated hemolysin transcriptional activation inVibrio cholerae
Authors: Diez Cristian M. Pis , Antelo Giuliano T. , Dalia Triana N. , Dalia Ankur B. , Giedroc David P. , Capdevila Daiana A. 
Published: March 2023

ABSTRACTThe vertebrate host’s immune system and resident commensal bacteria deploy a range of highly reactive small molecules that provide a barrier against infections by microbial pathogens. Gut pathogens, such asVibrio cholerae, sense and respond to these stressors by modulating the expression of exotoxins that are crucial for colonization. Here, we employ mass-spectrometry-based profiling, metabolomics, expression assays and biophysical approaches to show that transcriptional activation of the hemolysin genehlyAinV. choleraeis regulated by intracellular reactive sulfur species (RSS), specifically sulfane sulfur. We first present a comprehensive sequence similarity network analysis of the arsenic repressor (ArsR) superfamily of transcriptional regulators where RSS and reactive oxygen species (ROS) sensors segregate into distinct clusters. We show that HlyU, transcriptional activator ofhlyAinV. cholerae, belongs to the RSS-sensing cluster and readily reacts with organic persulfides, showing no reactivity and remaining DNA-bound following treatment with various ROS in vitro, including H2O2. Surprisingly, inV. choleraecell cultures, both sulfide and peroxide treatment downregulate HlyU-dependent transcriptional activation ofhlyA. However, RSS metabolite profiling shows that both sulfide and peroxide treatment raise the endogenous inorganic sulfide and disulfide levels to a similar extent, accounting for this crosstalk, and confirming thatV. choleraeattenuates HlyU-mediated activation ofhlyAin a specific response to intracellular RSS. These findings provide new evidence that gut pathogens may harness RSS-sensing as an evolutionary adaptation that allows them to overcome the gut inflammatory response by modulating the expression of exotoxins.
Organization and Plasticity of Inhibition in Hippocampal Recurrent Circuits
Authors: Vancura Bert , Geiller Tristan , Losonczy Attila 
Published: March 2023

ABSTRACTExcitatory-inhibitory interactions structure recurrent network dynamics for efficient cortical computations. In the CA3 area of the hippocampus, recurrent circuit dynamics, including experience-induced plasticity at excitatory synapses, are thought to play a key role in episodic memory encoding and consolidation via rapid generation and flexible selection of neural ensembles. However,in vivoactivity of identified inhibitory motifs supporting this recurrent circuitry has remained largely inaccessible, and it is unknown whether CA3 inhibition is also modifiable upon experience. Here we use large-scale, 3-dimensional calcium imaging and retrospective molecular identification in the mouse hippocampus to obtain the first comprehensive description of molecularly-identified CA3 interneuron dynamics during both spatial navigation and sharp-wave ripple (SWR)-associated memory consolidation. Our results uncover subtype-specific dynamics during behaviorally distinct brain-states. Our data also demonstrate predictive, reflective, and experience-driven plastic recruitment of specific inhibitory motifs during SWR-related memory reactivation. Together these results assign active roles for inhibitory circuits in coordinating operations and plasticity in hippocampal recurrent circuits.
The carboxyl-terminal processing proteases Prc and CtpA modulate cell-surface signalling activity andPseudomonas aeruginosavirulence
Authors: Otero-Asman Joaquín R. , Sánchez-Jiménez Ana , Bastiaansen Karlijn C. , Wettstadt Sarah , Civantos Cristina , García-Puente Alicia , Bitter Wilbert , Llamas María A. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractCell-surface signalling (CSS) is a signal transfer system of Gram-negative bacteria used to detect extracellular signals and modulate gene transcription in response. These three-protein systems are formed by an outer membrane receptor, a cytoplasmic membrane-embedded anti-σ factor and a cytosolic extracytoplasmic function σ factor (σECF). In absence of an inducing signal, the anti-σ factor binds to and keeps the σECFfactor sequestered, thus preventing its interaction with the RNA polymerase and the transcription of signal response genes. Presence of the signal triggers a signalling cascade that extends from the outer membrane to the cytosol and results in σECFfactor activation. Recently, we and others have reported that CSS σECFfactor activation requires the regulated and sequential proteolysis of the cognate anti-σ factor, and the function of the Prc and RseP proteases. However, many features of this proteolytic cascade are still unclear. In this work, we have identified another protease that modulates CSS activity, namely the periplasmic carboxyl-terminal processing protease CtpA. We show that both CtpA and the previously identified protease Prc control CSS activation by modulating the levels of the anti-σ factor. CtpA functions upstream of Prc in the proteolytic cascade and seems to prevent the Prc-mediated proteolysis of the CSS anti-σ factor. Importantly, using zebrafish embryos and the A549 cell line as hosts, we show that mutants in thersePandctpAproteases of the human pathogenPseudomonas aeruginosaare considerably attenuated in virulence while theprcmutation increases virulence likely by enhancing the production of outer membrane vesicles. Because proteases are druggable proteins, the identification of regulatory proteases involved inP. aeruginosavirulence holds promise for the development of novel strategies to fight this clinically relevant pathogen.
The T1150A cancer mutant of the protein lysine dimethyltransferase NSD2 can introduce H3K36 trimethylation
Authors: Khella Mina S. , Schnee Philipp , Weirich Sara , Bui Tan , Bröhm Alexander , Bashtrykov Pavel , Pleiss Jürgen , Jeltsch Albert 
Published: March 2023

AbstractSomatic mutations in protein lysine methyltransferases are frequently observed in cancer cells. We show here that the NSD1 mutations Y1971C, R2017Q and R2017L observed mostly in solid cancers are catalytically inactive suggesting that NSD1 acts as tumor suppressor gene in these tumors. In contrast, the frequent T1150A in NSD2 and its T2029A counterpart in NSD1, both observed in leukemia, are hyperactive and introduce up to H3K36me3 in biochemical and cellular assays, while wildtype NSD2 and NSD1 only generate up to H3K36me2. MD simulations with NSD2 revealed that H3K36me3 formation is possible due to an enlarged active site pocket of T1150A and loss of direct contacts of T1150 to critical residues which regulate the product specificity of NSD2. Bioinformatic analyses of published data suggest that the NSD2 T1150A mutation in lymphocytic leukemia could alter gene regulation by antagonizing H3K27me3 finally leading to the upregulation of oncogenes.
2D Effects Enhance Precision of Gradient-Based Tissue Patterning
Authors: Long Yuchong , Vetter Roman , Iber Dagmar 
Published: March 2023

AbstractRobust embryonic development requires pattern formation with high spatial accuracy. In epithelial tissues that are patterned by morphogen gradients, the emerging patterns achieve levels of precision that have recently been explained by a simple one-dimensional reaction-diffusion model with kinetic noise. Here, we show that patterning precision is even greater if transverse diffusion effects are at play in such tissues. The positional error, a measure for spatial patterning accuracy, decreases in wider tissues but then saturates beyond a width of about ten cells. This demonstrates that the precision of gradient-based patterning in two- or higher-dimensional systems can be even greater than predicted by 1D models, and further attests to the potential of noisy morphogen gradients for high-precision tissue patterning.