bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The value of CT-based energy imaging to discriminate dominant side lesions in primary aldosteronism
Authors: Huang Minggang , Yang Di , Zhang Yan , Zhang Yuqing , Mu Yue 
Published: April 2023

PurposeThe current clinical discrimination of the dominant side of primary aldosteronism (PA) mainly relies on invasive adrenal venous sampling (AVS) examination. This study investigated the feasibility of dual-energy CT energy imaging parameters as a novel biomarker in identifying bilateral adrenal dominant lesions.MethodsFifty PA patients with bilateral lesions who underwent CT and AVS of the adrenal glands at Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital from October 2019 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Forty-eight patients had successful bilateral blood collection and two failed right-sided blood collection due to venous variation. Forty patients who were classified based on AVS underwent unilateral adrenalectomy and pathological findings confirmed adenoma in all cases. Quantitative dual-energy CT parameters were measured for all adrenal lesions, and the differences in dual-energy CT energy spectrum imaging parameters between the dominant and nondominant adrenal lesions were compared.ResultsAmong forty-eight PA patients with bilateral lesions, forty patients with preoperative AVS-determined lesions on the dominant side underwent unilateral adrenalectomy, and eight patients without the dominant side were treated with medication. The iodine concentration difference (ICD) in the arteriovenous phase was more significant in the 40 cases of primary aldosteronism with dominant adrenal lesions than in the nondominant adrenal lesions (1.18 ± 0.45 vs 0.41 ± 0.42). The NICAP was higher in the dominant adrenal lesions than in the non-dominant lesions (0.39 ± 0.39 vs 0.14 ± 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis of the dominant adrenal lesion were 88.2% and 82.4% using the ICD of 0.68 as the threshold value.ConclusionConventional CT has lower diagnostic value for dominant adrenal lesions, and CT-based energy imaging can be a new assessment method as a complement to AVS in identifying bilateral dominant adrenal lesions.
Corticotropin releasing hormone is present in the feline placenta and maternal serum
Authors: Watt Madison , Mohammadzadeh Pardis , Pinsinski Emma , Hollinshead Fiona K. , Bouma Gerrit J. 
Published: April 2023

BackgroundIn women, placental corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) can be detected in maternal blood throughout pregnancy and is important in the regulation of the timing of parturition. However, its role in other mammalian species is unclear. In fact, very little is known about the presence and localization of CRH in placentas other than human. In this study we report for the first time the presence of CRH in feline placenta and maternal serum.MethodsPresence of CRH mRNA and protein was assessed using RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively, in at term domestic cat placentas opportunistically obtained at a local animal shelter and spay clinic. In addition, CRH localization within the placenta was demonstrated via immunohistochemistry. Finally, presence of CRH in maternal blood from early (¾21 days) and mid (25-35 days) stages of pregnancy was investigated by ELISA.ResultsCRH mRNA and protein were detected in feline placentas, and localized to larger decidual cells and fetal trophoblast cells, including the binucleate cells. CRH was detectable in maternal blood collected from early-stage pregnancies, and amounts significantly increased in mid-gestation samples.ConclusionThis is the first report on the presence and localization of CRH in the feline placenta, and its increase in maternal serum during the first half of pregnancy. These data lay the foundation for future studies to determine if CRH can be used as potential novel marker for early pregnancy diagnosis, determination, and monitoring in felids, and could greatly increase efficiency and success in zoo breeding programs utilizing artificial reproductive technologies for endangered feline species.
Policy recommendations for the Rana trade towards the Republic of Korea
Authors: Borzée Amaël , Rodriguez Maribel , Bhatri Naila , Kim Ye Inn , Angulo Ariadne , Kim Daemin , Chang Min-Ho , Sung Ha-Cheol , Heo Kyongman , Park Il-Kook , Song Jae-Young , Jung Ji-Hwa , Jeon Jong Yoon , Kim Kyungmin , Min Mi-Sook , Moores Nial , Wren Sally , Prasad Vishal Kumar , Jang Yikweon , Shin Yucheol , Othman Siti N. 
Published: April 2023

- Ban the trade of non-native species for consumption as food or derived products and for personal use (i.e., as pets).- Ban the trade of native species when they do not originate from within the nation (i.e., same genetically defined conservation unit).- Tracking of potential established alien Rana populations.- Eradication of potentially established alien Rana populations.
Association of gut microbiome and metabolites with onset and treatment response of patients with pemphigus vulgaris
Authors: Wang Yiyi , Xia Xuyang , Zhou Xingli , Zhan Tongying , Dai Qinghong , Zhang Yan , Zhang Wei , Shu Yang , Li Wei , Xu Heng 
Published: April 2023

BackgroundGut dysbiosis and gut microbiome-derived metabolites have been implicated in both disease onset and treatment response, but this has been rarely demonstrated in pemphigus vulgaris (PV). Here, we aim to systematically characterize the gut microbiome to assess the specific microbial species and metabolites associated with PV.MethodsWe enrolled 60 PV patients and 19 matched healthy family members, and collected 100 fecal samples (60 treatment-naïve, 21 matched post-treatment, and 19 controls). Metagenomic shotgun sequencing and subsequent quality control/alignment/annotation were performed to assess the composition and microbial species, in order to establish the association between gut microbiome with PV onset and treatment response. In addition, we evaluated short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in PV patients through targeted metabolomics analysis.ResultsThe diversity of the gut microbiome in PV patients deviates from the healthy family members but not between responder and non-responder, or before and after glucocorticoid treatment. However, the relative abundance of several microbial species, including the pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Escherichia coli) and some SCFA-producing probiotics (e.g., Eubacterium ventriosum), consistently differed between the two groups in each comparison. Escherichia coli was enriched in PV patients and significantly decreased after treatment in responders. In contrast, Eubacterium ventriosum was enriched in healthy family members and significantly increased particularly in responders after treatment. Consistently, several gut microbiome-derived SCFAs were enriched in healthy family members and significantly increased after treatment (e.g., butyric acid and valeric acid).ConclusionsThis study supports the association between the gut microbiome and PV onset, possibly through disrupting the balance of gut pathogenic bacteria and probiotics and influencing the level of gut microbiome-derived SCFAs. Furthermore, we revealed the potential relationship between specific microbial species and glucocorticoid treatment.
TIGAR deficiency induces caspase-1-dependent trophoblasts pyroptosis through NLRP3-ASC inflammasome
Authors: Guo Junjun , Zhou Meijuan , Zhao Man , Li Shuxian , Fang Zhenya , Li Anna , Zhang Meihua 
Published: April 2023

IntroductionGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a common complication of pregnancy, is risky for both mother and fetus. Previous studies about TP53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR) focused on the occurrence and development of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disease, however, it is still unclear whether TIGAR plays a regulatory role in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).MethodsUtilizing HG exposure, we explored the role of TIGAR in oxidative stress limitation, excessive inflammatory toxicity defense, and pyroptosis prevention.ResultsTIGAR was up-regulated in vivo and in vitro under HG condition, and loss of TIGAR increased ROS in trophoblast cells which drove a phenotypic switch and hindered the capacity of migration, invasion, and tube formation. This switch depended on the increased activation of NLRP3-ASC-caspase-1 signaling, which caused a distinctive characteristic of pyroptosis, and these findings could finally be reverted by antioxidant treatment (NAC) and receptor block (MCC950). Collectively, trophoblast pyroptosis is an upstream event of TIGAR deficiency-induced inflammation, which is promoted by ROS accumulation through NLRP3-ASC inflammasome.ConclusionTaken together, our results uncovered that, as the upstream event of TIGAR deficiency-induced inflammation, pyroptosis is stimulated by ROS accumulation through NLRP3-ASC inflammasome.
Establishing the role of the FES tyrosine kinase in the pathogenesis, pathophysiology, and severity of sepsis and its outcomes
Authors: Laight Brian J. , Jawa Natasha A. , Tyryshkin Kathrin , Maslove David M. , Boyd J. Gordon , Greer Peter A. 
Published: April 2023

IntroductionSepsis is a result of initial over-activation of the immune system in response to an infection or trauma that results in reduced blood flow and life-threatening end-organ damage, followed by suppression of the immune system that prevents proper clearance of the infection or trauma. Because of this, therapies that not only limit the activation of the immune system early on, but also improve blood flow to crucial organs and reactivate the immune system in late-stage sepsis, may be effective treatments. The tyrosine kinase FES may fulfill this role. FES is present in immune cells and serves to limit immune system activation. We hypothesize that by enhancing FES in early sepsis and inhibiting its effects in late sepsis, the severity and outcome of septic illness can be improved.Methods and analysisIn vitro and in vivo modeling will be performed to determine the degree of inflammatory signaling, cytokine production, and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation that occurs in wild-type (WT) and FES knockout (FES-/-) mice. Clinically available treatments known to enhance or inhibit FES expression (lorlatinib and decitabine, respectively), will be used to explore the impact of early vs. late FES modulation on outcomes in WT mice. Bioinformatic analysis will be performed to examine FES expression levels in RNA transcriptomic data from sepsis patient cohorts, and correlate FES expression data with clinical outcomes (diagnosis of sepsis, illness severity, hospital length-of-stay).Ethics and disseminationEthics approval pending from the Queen’s University Health Sciences &amp; Affiliated Teaching Hospitals Research Ethics Board. Results will be disseminated through scientific publications and through lay summaries to patients and families.
The first crystal structure of CD8αα from a cartilaginous fish
Authors: Jia Zhao , Feng Jianhua , Dooley Helen , Zou Jun , Wang Junya 
Published: April 2023

IntroductionCartilaginous fishes are the most evolutionary-distant vertebrates from mammals and possess an immunoglobulin (Ig)- and T cell-mediated adaptive immunity. CD8 is the hallmark receptor of cytotoxic T cells and is required for the formation of T cell receptor-major histocompatibility complex (TCR-MHC) class I complexes.MethodsRACE PCR was used to obtain gene sequences. Direct dilution was applied for the refolding of denatured recombinant CD8 protein. Hanging-drop vapor diffusion method was performed for protein crystallization.ResultsIn this study, CD8α and CD8β orthologues (termed ScCD8α and ScCD8β) were identified in small-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula). Both ScCD8α and ScCD8β possess an extracellular immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) V domain as in previously identified CD8 proteins. The genes encoding CD8α and CD8β are tandemly linked in the genomes of all jawed vertebrates studied, suggesting that they were duplicated from a common ancestral gene before the divergence of cartilaginous fishes and other vertebrates. We determined the crystal structure of the ScCD8α ectodomain homodimer at a resolution of 1.35 Å and show that it exhibits the typical topological structure of CD8α from endotherms. As in mammals, the homodimer formation of ScCD8αα relies upon interactions within a hydrophobic core although this differs in position and amino acid composition. Importantly, ScCD8αα shares the canonical cavity required for interaction with peptide-loaded MHC I in mammals. Furthermore, it was found that ScCD8α can co-immunoprecipitate with ScCD8β, indicating that it can form both homodimeric and heterodimeric complexes.ConclusionOur results expand the current knowledge of vertebrate CD8 dimerization and the interaction between CD8α with p/MHC I from an evolutionary perspective.
Melittin derived peptide-drug conjugate, M-DM1, inhibits tumor progression and induces effector cell infiltration in melanoma by targeting M2 tumor-associated macrophages
Authors: Jeong Chanmi , Kim Jeongdong , Han Ik-Hwan , Kim Soyoung , Choi Ilseob , Kim Hongsung , Jeong Jin-Hyun , Bae Hyunsu 
Published: April 2023

BackgroundMelanoma has the highest mortality rate among all the types of skin cancer. In melanoma, M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are associated with the invasiveness of tumor cells and a poor prognosis. Hence, the depletion or reduction of M2-TAMs is a therapeutic strategy for the inhibition of tumor progression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of M-DM1, which is a conjugation of melittin (M), as a carrier for M2-like TAMs, and mertansine (DM1), as a payload to induce apoptosis of TAMs, in a mouse model of melanoma.MethodsMelittin and DM1 were conjugated and examined for the characterization of M-DM1 by high-performance liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Synthesized M-DM1 were examined for in vitro cytotoxic effects. For the in vivo study, we engrafted murine B16-F10 into right flank of C57BL/6 female mice and administered an array of treatments (PBS, M, DM1, or M-DM1 (20 nmol/kg)). Subsequently, the tumor growth and survival rates were analyzed, as well as examining the phenotypes of tumor-infiltrating leukocytes and expression profiles.ResultsM-DM1 was found to specifically reduce M2-like TAMs in melanoma, which potentially leads to the suppression of tumor growth, migration, and invasion. In addition, we also found that M-DM1 improved the survival rates in a mouse model of melanoma compared to M or DM1 treatment alone. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that M-DM1 enhanced the infiltration of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells (NK cells) in the tumor microenvironment.ConclusionTaken together, our findings highlight that M-DM1 is a prospective agent with enhanced anti-tumor effects.
Soil bacterial communities of paddy are dependent on root compartment niches but independent of growth stages from Mollisols of Northeast China
Authors: Liu Kai , Wang Qiuju , Sun Minglong , Gao Shiwei , Liu Qing , Shan Lili , Guo Junxiang , Bian Jingyang 
Published: April 2023

IntroductionDeep insights into adhering soil of root zones (rhizosphere and rhizoplane) microbial community could provide a better understanding of the plant-microbe relationship. To better understand the dynamics of these microbial assemblies over the plant life cycle in rhizodeposition along rice roots.MethodsHere, we investigated bacterial distribution in bulk, rhizosphere, and rhizoplane soils at tillering, heading, and mature stage, from rice (Oryza sativa) fields of the Northeast China.Results and DiscussionOur results revealed that soil bacterial α-diversity and community composition were significantly affected by root compartment niches but not by temporal change. Compared to rhizoplane soils in the same period, bulk in the heading and rhizosphere in the mature had the largest increase in Shannon’s index, with 11.02 and 14.49% increases, respectively. Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Bacteroidetes, and Acidobacteria are predominant across all soil samples, bulk soil had more phyla increased across the growing season than that of root related-compartments. Deterministic mechanisms had a stronger impact on the bacterial community in the compartments connected to the roots, with the relative importance of the bulk soil, rhizoplane and rhizosphere at 83, 100, and 56%, respectively. Because of ecological niche drivers, the bacterial networks in bulk soils exhibit more complex networks than rhizosphere and rhizoplane soils, reflected by more nodes, edges, and connections. More module hub and connector were observed in bulk (6) and rhizoplane (5) networks than in rhizosphere (2). We also detected shifts from bulk to rhizoplane soils in some functional guilds of bacteria, which changed from sulfur and nitrogen utilization to more carbon and iron cycling processes. Taken together, our results suggest distinct bacterial network structure and distribution patterns among rhizosphere, rhizoplane, and bulk soils, which could possibly result in potential functional differentiation. And the potential functional differentiation may be influenced by plant root secretions, which still needs to be further explored.
The interaction of peptide inhibitors and Aβ protein: Binding mode analysis, inhibition of the formation of Aβ aggregates, and then exert neuroprotective effects
Authors: Wu Yuchen , Guo Shuang , Wang Kunli , Kang Jingjing 
Published: April 2023

IntroductionThe misfolding and aggregation of β-amyloid (Aβ) easily form Aβ fibers, which are continuously deposited in the brain, leading to the massive generation of amyloid plaques, severely destroying neuronal connections, and promoting Alzheimer’s disease (AD) The occurrence and development of AD is one of the pathogenesis of AD. There is an urgent need to develop inhibitors against Aβ aggregation, which is hopefully a potential way to treat AD.MethodsIn this study, we first found the crystal structure of the Aβ1–42 receptor protein from the RCSB PDB protein structure database and used the SYBYL X2.0 software for molecular docking, and then used the Peptide Ranker, Innovagen, DPL, and ToxinPred online websites to perform peptides. Predict the activity score, toxicity and water solubility, and then calculate the affinity constant KD value of polypeptide and Aβ through Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) experiment. Subsequently, the CCK-8 kit method was used to determine the toxicity of different concentrations of peptides (3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200 μM) to PC12 cells, and then the peptides and Aβ according to different concentration ratios (1:4, 1:2, 1:1, 1:0.5, 1:0.25, 0:4), this method is also used to detect the effect of peptides on Aβ-induced neurotoxicity. The thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence method was used to detect the effects of peptides (50 μM) on Aβ (25 μM) aggregation inhibitory effect.ResultsThe results showed that the CScore of YVRHLKYVRHLK peptide molecule docking was 10.0608, the predicted activity score was 0.20, and the KD value was 5.385 × 10−5. The ThT and CCK-8 kit method found that the peptide itself is less toxic to PC12 cells at a concentration of 50 μM, and it has a significant inhibitory effect on the formation of Aβ1–42 aggregates when incubated with Aβ1–42 at a ratio of 1:1 (p &lt; 0.05) and can significantly reduce the PC12 cytotoxicity induced by Aβ1–42 (p &lt; 0.05).ConclusionIn conclusion, the polypeptide YVRHLKYVRHLK designed in this study has a neuroprotective effect on PC12 cytotoxicity induced by Aβ1–42.Graphical Abstract
Cognitive inhibition deficit in long COVID-19: An exploratory study
Authors: Saucier Jacob , Jose Caroline , Beroual Zaynab , Al-Qadi Mohammad , Chartrand Simon , Libert Eméraldine , Losier Marie-Claire , Cooling Kendra , Girouard Gabriel , Jbilou Jalila , Chamard-Witkowski Ludivine 
Published: April 2023

Background and objectivesAn increasing number of research studies point toward the importance and prevalence of long-term neurocognitive symptoms following infection with COVID-19. Our objectives were to capture the prevalence of cognitive impairments from 1 to 16 months post-COVID-19 infection, assess the changes in neuropsychological functions over time, and identify factors that can predict long-term deficits in cognition.MethodologyA cross-sectional research design was adopted to compare four sub-samples recruited over a 16-month timeframe (1–4, 5–8, 9–12, and 13–16 months). Phone interviews were conducted at least 6 weeks after being infected by COVID-19. Sociodemographic and clinical questionnaires were administered followed by standardized neurocognitive and psychological tests and health questionnaires screening cognitive symptoms, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and autonomy.ResultsRegarding general health questionnaires, 55.2% of the 134 participants had symptoms of psychiatric illness, while 21.6% of patients had moderate-to-severe anxiety or depression. Cognitive efficiency was diminished in 19.4% of our population. Executive dysfunction was screened in 56% of patients, and an impairment of cognitive flexibility and inhibition was revealed in 38.8%. Depression, hospital or intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and the duration of hospital or ICU stay were associated with an inhibition deficit. The duration elapsed from the initial infection, and the neurocognitive assessment was not associated with a decrease in inhibition deficit. The prevalence of cognitive impairments, other than inhibition deficit, tended to decrease during the study period.DiscussionThis study supports the extensive literature on the cognitive and neuropsychiatric sequelae of COVID-19 and highlights long-lasting inhibition deficits, while other cognitive functions seemed to improve over time. The severity of infection could interact as a catalyst in the complex interplay between depression and executive functions. The absence of a relation between inhibition deficits and sociodemographic or medical factors reinforces the need for cognitive screening in all COVID-19 patients. Future research should focus on inhibition deficits longitudinally to assess the progression of this impairment.