bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The incidence and interrelationship of hemivertebra and concomitant cardiac abnormalities in congenital scoliosis
Authors: Wang Shengru , Zhao Yiwei , Du You , Zhang Jianguo , Yu Bin 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Congenital scoliosis(CS) is associated with multiple organs defect, and cardiac abnormalities have been reported commonly associated with CS. Hemivertebra is caused by the failure of vertebral formation, which is a major constitute of CS. Till now, few studies focus on the incidence and interrelationship of hemivertebra and concomitant cardiac abnormalities in congenital scoliosis. We aimed to analyze the cardiac defect in CS patients with or without hemivertebra, and further explore the incidence of cardiac defect between different types of hemivertebra.

Methods
The ultrasonic cardiography (UCG) results of surgically treated congenital scoliosis (CS) patients between 2015 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into hemivertebra group and non-hemivertebra group according to preoperative CT. Patients with hemivertebra was further divided into sub-group by single/multiple or fully/partially/mixed segmented hemivertebra. Demographic information, radiographic data and cardiac abnormalities were statistically compared between groups.

Results
A total of 329 patients were analyzed, including 216 patients with hemivertebra and 113 patients without hemivertebra. UCG results were abnormal in 89 cases (27.1%), including 41 males(12.5%) and 48 females(14.6%). Hemivertebra group had comparable incidence of cardiac abnormalities with non-hemivertebra group (p = 0.517). No significant difference in the incidence of UCG abnormalities between single and multiple hemivertebra group (P = 0.246). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that female sex with multiple hemivertebra was a risk factor for abnormal UCG (P = 0.009, OR = 3.449). Cardiac abnormalities was comparable among fully, partially and mixed segmented hemivertebra group(P = 0.264). In abnormal UCG, 33 patients with hemivertebra had non-valvular abnormalities, and 48.5% (16/33) were septal defects. 28 patients had valvular abnormalities, most of them were mitral valve abnormalities, especially mitral valve redundancy, prolapse and insufficiency(82.1%, 23/28). No significant difference between the incidence of non-valvular and valvular abnormalities in patients with hemivertebra (P = 0.581).

Conclusions
The incidence of abnormal UCG results was approximately 28.2% in CS patients with hemivertebra. Female patients with multiple hemivertebra had a higher risk of UCG abnormalities. Mitral valve abnormalities were the most common abnormality of UCG found in CS patients with hemivertebra.

Trial registration
retrospectively registered.
Multiorgan failure caused by Chinese herbal medicine Xanthii Fructus poisoning: a case report
Authors: Li Yaqian , Yu Guangcai , Shi Longke , Zhao Liwen , Wen Zixin , Kan Baotian , Jian Xiangdong 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Xanthii Fructus was used in the treatment of rhinitis and related nasal disease. It is the most commonly used chemically active component in compounds formulated for the treatment of rhinitis. However, poisoning, resulting in serious consequences, can easily occur owing to cocklebur overdose, improper processing, or usage without processing.

Case presentation
We reported on a 55-year-old man who experienced allergic rhinitis for 2.5 years. He ingested unprocessed Xanthii Fructus for 2 months as treatment. However, he developed anorexia; nausea; abdominal pain; general weakness; hiccups; oliguria and anuria; significantly elevated serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and creatinine levels; and abnormalities in blood coagulation series. Nutritional support; daily drugs for liver protection, gastric protection, inflammation reduction; fresh plasma; and cryoprecipitate infusion were administered. Continuous venovenous hemodialysis (Prismaflex ST100) was also administered. However, the patient’s multiple organ failure gradually worsened, ultimately leading to death.

Conclusion
Xanthii Fructus poisoning affects multiple systems, and its clinical manifestations are complex. Therefore, it is easily misdiagnosed and missed. Along with careful inquiry of medical and medication history, early diagnosis and intervention are vital for a successful treatment. It is also important to educate people and create awareness about this poisoning. Therefore, this intractable case has great clinical significance.
Population transcriptogenomics highlights impaired metabolism and small population sizes in tree frogs living in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone
Authors: Car Clément , Gilles André , Goujon Elen , Muller Marie-Laure Delignette , Camoin Luc , Frelon Sandrine , Burraco Pablo , Granjeaud Samuel , Baudelet Emilie , Audebert Stéphane , Orizaola Germán , Armengaud Jean , Tenenhaus Arthur , Garali Imène , Bonzom Jean-Marc , Armant Olivier 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Individual functional modifications shape the ability of wildlife populations to cope with anthropogenic environmental changes. But instead of adaptive response, human-altered environments can generate a succession of deleterious functional changes leading to the extinction of the population. To study how persistent anthropogenic changes impacted local species’ population status, we characterised population structure, genetic diversity and individual response of gene expression in the tree frog Hyla orientalis along a gradient of radioactive contamination around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

Results
We detected lower effective population size in populations most exposed to ionizing radiation in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone that is not compensated by migrations from surrounding areas. We also highlighted a decreased body condition of frogs living in the most contaminated area, a distinctive transcriptomics signature and stop-gained mutations in genes involved in energy metabolism. While the association with dose will remain correlational until further experiments, a body of evidence suggests the direct or indirect involvement of radiation exposure in these changes.

Conclusions
Despite ongoing migration and lower total dose rates absorbed than at the time of the accident, our results demonstrate that Hyla orientalis specimens living in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone are still undergoing deleterious changes, emphasizing the long-term impacts of the nuclear disaster.
Genome-wide chromatin accessibility landscape and dynamics of transcription factor networks during ovule and fiber development in cotton
Authors: Bao Yu , Wei Yangyang , Liu Yuling , Gao Jingjing , Cheng Shuang , Liu Guanqing , You Qi , Liu Peng , Lu Quanwei , Li Pengtao , Zhang Shulin , Hu Nan , Han Yangshuo , Liu Shuo , Wu Yuechao , Yang Qingqing , Li Zhaoguo , Ao Guowei , Liu Fang , Wang Kunbo , Jiang Jiming , Zhang Tao , Zhang Wenli , Peng Renhai 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe development of cotton fiber is regulated by the orchestrated binding of regulatory proteins tocis-regulatory elements associated with developmental genes. Thecis–transregulatory dynamics occurred throughout the course of cotton fiber development are elusive. Here we generated genome-wide high-resolution DNase I hypersensitive sites (DHSs) maps to understand the regulatory mechanisms of cotton ovule and fiber development.ResultsWe generated DNase I hypersensitive site (DHS) profiles from cotton ovules at 0 and 3 days post anthesis (DPA) and fibers at 8, 12, 15, and 18 DPA. We obtained a total of 1185 million reads and identified a total of 199,351 DHSs through ~ 30% unique mapping reads. It should be noted that more than half of DNase-seq reads mapped multiple genome locations and were not analyzed in order to achieve a high specificity of peak profile and to avoid bias from repetitive genomic regions. Distinct chromatin accessibilities were observed in the ovules (0 and 3 DPA) compared to the fiber elongation stages (8, 12, 15, and 18 DPA). Besides, the chromatin accessibility during ovules was particularly elevated in genomic regions enriched with transposable elements (TEs) and genes in TE-enriched regions were involved in ovule cell division. We analyzedcis-regulatory modules and revealed the influence of hormones on fiber development from the regulatory divergence of transcription factor (TF) motifs. Finally, we constructed a reliable regulatory network of TFs related to ovule and fiber development based on chromatin accessibility and gene co-expression network. From this network, we discovered a novel TF, WRKY46, which may shape fiber development by regulating the lignin content.ConclusionsOur results not only reveal the contribution of TEs in fiber development, but also predict and validate the TFs related to fiber development, which will benefit the research of cotton fiber molecular breeding.
The cardio-renal-metabolic connection: a review of the evidence
Authors: Marassi Marella , Fadini Gian Paolo 
Published: July 2023

AbstractType 2 diabetes (T2D), cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), are recognized among the most disruptive public health issues of the current century. A large body of evidence from epidemiological and clinical research supports the existence of a strong interconnection between these conditions, such that the unifying term cardio-metabolic-renal (CMR) disease has been defined. This coexistence has remarkable epidemiological, pathophysiologic, and prognostic implications. The mechanisms of hyperglycemia-induced damage to the cardio-renal system are well validated, as are those that tie cardiac and renal disease together. Yet, it remains controversial how and to what extent CVD and CKD can promote metabolic dysregulation. The aim of this review is to recapitulate the epidemiology of the CMR connections; to discuss the well-established, as well as the putative and emerging mechanisms implicated in the interplay among these three entities; and to provide a pathophysiological background for an integrated therapeutic intervention aiming at interrupting this vicious crosstalks.
SALL4 promotes angiogenesis in gastric cancer by regulating VEGF expression and targeting SALL4/VEGF pathway inhibits cancer progression
Authors: Abouelnazar Fatma A. , Zhang Xiaoxin , Zhang Jiahui , Wang Maoye , Yu Dan , Zang Xueyan , Zhang Jiayin , Li Yixin , Xu Jing , Yang Qiurong , Zhou Yue , Tang Haozhou , Wang Yanzheng , Gu Jianmei , Zhang Xu 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Spalt-like protein 4 (SALL4) is a stemness-related transcription factor whose abnormal re-expression contributes to cancer initiation and progression. However, the role of SALL4 in cancer angiogenesis remains unknown.

Methods
Analyses of clinical specimens via TCGA datasets were performed to determine the expression level and clinical significance of SALL4 in STAD (Stomach Adenocarcinoma). SALL4 knockdown, knockout, and overexpression were achieved by siRNA, CRISPR/Cas9, and plasmid transfection. The effects of conditioned medium (CM) from SALL4 knockdown or overexpression of gastric cancer cells on endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation were investigated by CCK-8 assay, transwell migration assay, and tube formation assay. The regulation of VEGF gene expression by SALL4 was studied by qRT-PCR, western blot, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Engineered exosomes from 293T cells loaded with si-SALL4-B and thalidomide were produced to test their therapeutic effect on gastric cancer progression.

Results
SALL4 expression was increased in STAD and positively correlated with tumor progression and poor prognosis. SALL4-B knockdown or knockout decreased while over-expression increased the promotion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation by gastric cancer cell-derived CM. Further investigation revealed a widespread association of SALL4 with angiogenic gene transcription through the TCGA datasets. Additionally, SALL4-B knockdown reduced, while over-expression enhanced the expression levels of VEGF-A, B, and C genes. The results of ChIP and EMSA assays indicated that SALL4 could directly bind to the promoters of VEGF-A, B, and C genes and activate their transcription, which may be associated with increased histone H3-K79 and H3-K4 modifications in their promoter regions. Furthermore, si-SALL4-B and thalidomide-loaded exosomes could be efficiently uptaken by gastric cancer cells and significantly reduced SALL4-B and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) expression levels in gastric cancer cells, thus inhibiting the pro-angiogenic role of their derived CM.

Conclusion
These findings suggest that SALL4 plays an important role in angiogenesis by transcriptionally regulating VEGF expression. Co-delivery of the functional siRNA and anticancer drug via exosomes represents a useful approach to inhibiting cancer angiogenesis by targeting SALL4/VEGF pathway.
Biological reconstruction of bone defect after resection of malignant bone tumor by allograft: a single-center retrospective cohort study
Authors: Liu Qing , Long Feng , Zhang Can , Liu Yupeng , He Hongbo , Luo Wei 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundAllograft reconstruction following the resection of malignant bone tumors is associated with high rates of complications and failures. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and current problems of allograft reconstruction techniques to optimize treatment strategies at our center.Materials and methodsThirty-eight cases (16 men and 22 women), who were diagnosed with malignant bone tumors and had undergone allograft reconstruction, were recruited. Allograft was fixed by intramedullary nail, single steel plate, double plate, and intramedullary nail combined plate in 2, 4, 17, and 15 cases, respectively. Allograft union, local recurrence, and complications were assessed with clinical and radiological tests. Tumor grade was assessed using the Enneking staging of malignant bone tumors. Functional prognosis was evaluated by the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scoring system.ResultsIntercalary and osteoarticular reconstructions were performed in 32 and 6 cases, respectively. Six patients underwent reoperation related to allograft complications, four patients had local recurrence, and three patients with allograft fracture underwent allograft removal. A total of eight host–donor junctions showed nonunion, including seven cases (18.4%) in diaphysis and one case (3.1%) in metaphysis (p < 0.01). Host rejection and secondary osteoarthritis occurred in nine and two cases, respectively. No deep infection and internal fixation device fracture occurred. The overall allograft survival rate was 81.6%. Postoperative MSTS score of patients with allograft survival was 26.8 ± 2.9, indicating a significant improvement as compared to their preoperative function.ConclusionsAllograft represents an excellent choice for intercalary bone defects after malignant bone tumor resection. Robust internal fixation protection across the whole length of the allograft is an important prerequisite for the survival of the allograft, while multidimensional osteotomy, intramedullary cement reinforcement, and pedicled muscle flap transfer can effectively improve the survival rate and healing rate of the allograft.
Recent advances of exosomal circRNAs in cancer and their potential clinical applications
Authors: Yi Qian , Yue Jiaji , Liu Yang , Shi Houyin , Sun Wei , Feng Jianguo , Sun Weichao 
Published: July 2023

AbstractCircular RNA (circRNA) is a type of non-coding RNA that forms a covalently closed, uninterrupted loop. The expression of circRNA differs among cell types and tissues, and various circRNAs are aberrantly expressed in a variety of diseases, including cancer. Aberrantly expressed circRNAs contribute to disease progression by acting as microRNA sponges, functional protein sponges, or novel templates for protein translation. Recent studies have shown that circRNAs are enriched in exosomes. Exosomes are spherical bilayer vesicles released by cells into extracellular spaces that mediate intercellular communication by delivering cargoes. These cargoes include metabolites, proteins, lipids, and RNA molecules. Exosome-mediated cell-cell or cell-microenvironment communications influence the progression of carcinogenesis by regulating cell proliferation, angiogenesis, metastasis as well as immune escape. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about exosomal circRNAs in cancers and discuss their specific functions in tumorigenesis. Additionally, we discuss the potential value of exosomal circRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and the potential applications of exosomal circRNA-based cancer therapy.
A novel explainable online calculator for contrast-induced AKI in diabetics: a multi-centre validation and prospective evaluation study
Authors: Ma Mengqing , Wan Xin , Chen Yuyang , Lu Zhichao , Guo Danning , Kong Huiping , Pan Binbin , Zhang Hao , Chen Dawei , Xu Dongxu , Sun Dong , Lang Hong , Zhou Changgao , Li Tao , Cao Changchun 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
In patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI) is a frequent complication, especially in diabetics, and is connected with severe mortality and morbidity in the short and long term. Therefore, we aimed to develop a CIAKI predictive model for diabetic patients.

Methods
3514 patients with diabetes from four hospitals were separated into three cohorts: training, internal validation, and external validation. We developed six machine learning (ML) algorithms models: random forest (RF), gradient-boosted decision trees (GBDT), logistic regression (LR), least absolute shrinkage and selection operator with LR, extreme gradient boosting trees (XGBT), and support vector machine (SVM). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of ML models was compared to the prior score model, and developed a brief CIAKI prediction model for diabetes (BCPMD). We also validated BCPMD model on the prospective cohort of 172 patients from one of the hospitals. To explain the prediction model, the shapley additive explanations (SHAP) approach was used.

Results
In the six ML models, XGBT performed best in the cohort of internal (AUC: 0.816 (95% CI 0.777–0.853)) and external validation (AUC: 0.816 (95% CI 0.770–0.861)), and we determined the top 15 important predictors in XGBT model as BCPMD model variables. The features of BCPMD included acute coronary syndromes (ACS), urine protein level, diuretics, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (%), hemoglobin (g/L), congestive heart failure (CHF), stable Angina, uric acid (umol/L), preoperative diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (mmHg), contrast volumes (mL), albumin (g/L), baseline creatinine (umol/L), vessels of coronary artery disease, glucose (mmol/L) and diabetes history (yrs). Then, we validated BCPMD in the cohort of internal validation (AUC: 0.819 (95% CI 0.783–0.855)), the cohort of external validation (AUC: 0.805 (95% CI 0.755–0.850)) and the cohort of prospective validation (AUC: 0.801 (95% CI 0.688–0.887)). SHAP was constructed to provide personalized interpretation for each patient. Our model also has been developed into an online web risk calculator. MissForest was used to handle the missing values of the calculator.

Conclusion
We developed a novel risk calculator for CIAKI in diabetes based on the ML model, which can help clinicians achieve real-time prediction and explainable clinical decisions.
Reduced bronchoalveolar macrophage phagocytosis and cytotoxic effects after controlled short-term exposure to wood smoke in healthy humans
Authors: Hansson Alva , Rankin Gregory , Uski Oskari , Friberg Maria , Pourazar Jamshid , Lindgren Robert , García-López Natxo , Boman Christoffer , Sandström Thomas , Behndig Annelie , Muala Ala 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Exposure to wood smoke has been shown to contribute to adverse respiratory health effects including airway infections, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. A preceding study failed to confirm any acute inflammation or cell influx in bronchial wash (BW) or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) 24 h after wood smoke exposure but showed unexpected reductions in leukocyte numbers. The present study was performed to investigate responses at an earlier phase, regarding potential development of acute inflammation, as well as indications of cytotoxicity.

Methods
In a double-blind, randomised crossover study, 14 healthy participants were exposed for 2 h to filtered air and diluted wood smoke from incomplete wood log combustion in a common wood stove with a mean particulate matter concentration of 409 µg/m3. Bronchoscopy with BW and BAL was performed 6 h after exposure. Differential cell counts, assessment of DNA-damage and ex vivo analysis of phagocytic function of phagocytosing BAL cells were performed. Wood smoke particles were also collected for in vitro toxicological analyses using bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) and alveolar type II-like cells (A549).

Results
Exposure to wood smoke increased BAL lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (p = 0.04) and reduced the ex vivo alveolar macrophage phagocytic capacity (p = 0.03) and viability (p = 0.02) vs. filtered air. BAL eosinophil numbers were increased after wood smoke (p = 0.02), while other cell types were unaffected in BW and BAL. In vitro exposure to wood smoke particles confirmed increased DNA-damage, decreased metabolic activity and cell cycle disturbances.

Conclusions
Exposure to wood smoke from incomplete combustion did not induce any acute airway inflammatory cell influx at 6 h, apart from eosinophils. However, there were indications of a cytotoxic reaction with increased LDH, reduced cell viability and impaired alveolar macrophage phagocytic capacity. These findings are in accordance with earlier bronchoscopy findings at 24 h and may provide evidence for the increased susceptibility to infections by biomass smoke exposure, reported in population-based studies.
COVID-19 crisis interlinkage with past pandemics and their effects on food security
Authors: Roubík Hynek , Lošťák Michal , Ketuama Chama Theodore , Soukupová Jana , Procházka Petr , Hruška Adam , Hakl Josef , Pacek Lukáš , Karlík Petr , Menšíková Lucie Kocmánková , Jurasová Vladimíra , Ogbu Charles Amarachi , Hejcman Michal 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Pandemics as health and humanitarian crises have exerted traceable impacts on food security. Almost all past and current pandemics have created a food crisis that affects a share of the global population and threaten global food security. With the more frequent outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging diseases or pandemics, this paper looks at the various types of impacts from the current coronavirus crisis and past pandemics to identify their major impact on food security.

Scope
To this effect, key strategies that could be put in place to ensure the efficient resilience of food systems before, during, and after the pandemics to mitigate the negative impact of the pandemics on global food security are recommended. The most recent effects of the current coronavirus crisis have been disruptions in the flow of farm labourers and inefficient farm operations leading to postharvest food losses.

Key findings and conclusions
Modification of diets between social groups has also been observed. Future response orientations to prevent and mitigate the effects of pandemics on food security will consider pro-active and adapted policy, program, and institutional actions towards the systemic development of global food systems as an interconnected network.