bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gut, oral, and nasopharyngeal microbiota dynamics in the clinical course of hospitalized infants with respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis
Authors: Roggiani Sara , Zama Daniele , D’Amico Federica , Rocca Alessandro , Fabbrini Marco , Totaro Camilla , Pierantoni Luca , Brigidi Patrizia , Turroni Silvia , Lanari Marcello 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and hospitalization in infants worldwide. The nasopharyngeal microbiota has been suggested to play a role in influencing the clinical course of RSV bronchiolitis, and some evidence has been provided regarding oral and gut microbiota. However, most studies have focused on a single timepoint, and none has investigated all three ecosystems at once.MethodsHere, we simultaneously reconstructed the gut, oral and nasopharyngeal microbiota dynamics of 19 infants with RSV bronchiolitis in relation to the duration of hospitalization (more or less than 5 days). Fecal samples, oral swabs, and nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected at three timepoints (emergency room admission, discharge and six-month follow-up) and profiled by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing.ResultsInterestingly, all ecosystems underwent rearrangements over time but with distinct configurations depending on the clinical course of bronchiolitis. In particular, infants hospitalized for longer showed early and persistent signatures of unhealthy microbiota in all ecosystems, i.e., an increased representation of pathobionts and a depletion of typical age-predicted commensals.DiscussionMonitoring infant microbiota during RSV bronchiolitis and promptly reversing any dysbiotic features could be important for prognosis and long-term health.
Primary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillator in cardiac resynchronization therapy recipients with advanced chronic kidney disease
Authors: Goldenberg Ido , Kutyifa Valentina , Zareba Wojciech , Huang David Tsu-Chau , Rosero Spencer Z. , Younis Arwa , Schuger Claudio , Gao Anna , McNitt Scott , Polonsky Bronislava , Steinberg Jonathan S. , Goldenberg Ilan , Aktas Mehmet K. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionThe implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is effective for the prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The benefit of the ICD in patients with advanced CKD, remains elusive. Moreover, the benefit of the ICD in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and HFrEF who are cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) recipients may be attenuated.HypothesisWe hypothesized that patients with CKD who are CRT recipients may derive less benefit from the ICD due to the competing risk of dying prior to experiencing an arrhythmia.MethodsThe study population included 1,015 patients receiving CRT with defibrillator (CRT-D) device for primary prevention of SCD who were enrolled in either (Multicenter Automated Defibrillator Implantation Trial) MADIT-CRT trial or the Ranolazine in High-Risk Patients with Implanted Cardioverter Defibrillator (RAID) trial. The cohort was divided into two groups based on the stage of CKD: those with Stage 1 to 3a KD, labeled as (S1-S3a)KD. The second group included patients with Stage 3b to stage 5 kidney disease, labeled as (S3b-S5)KD. The primary endpoint was any ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) (Any VT/VF).ResultsThe cumulative incidence of Any VT/VF was 23.5% in patients with (S1-S3a)KD and 12.6% in those with (S3b-S5)KD (p &lt; 0.001) The incidence of Death without Any VT/VF was 6.6% in patients with (S1-S3a)KD and 21.6% in patients with (S3b-S5)KD (p &lt; 0.001). A Fine and Gray multivariate competing risk regression model showed that Patients with (S3b-S5)KD had a 43% less risk of experiencing Any VT/VF when compared to those with (S1-S3a)KD (HR = 0.56, 95% CI [0.33–0.94] p = 0.03. After two years of follow up, there was almost a 5-fold increased risk of Death without Any VT/VF among patients with (S3b-S5)KD when compared to those with (S1-S3a)KD [HR = 4.63, 95% CI (2.46–8.72), p for interaction with time = 0.012].ConclusionDue to their lower incidence of arrhythmias and higher risk of dying prior to experiencing an arrhythmia, the benefit of the ICD may be attenuated in CRT recipients with advanced CKD. Future prospective trials should evaluate whether CRT without a defibrillator may be more appropriate for these patients.
Global trends and current status in pheochromocytoma: a bibliometric analysis of publications in the last 20 years
Authors: Huang Bi-ling , Liu Qi , Teng Yuan-yuan , Peng Shu-qin , Liu Ze , Li Ming-liu , Liang Jie-yu , Zhang Yi , Wang Min 
Published: August 2023

ObjectivePheochromocytoma is a rare catecholamine-producing neuroendocrine tumour originating from the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla or extra-adrenal paraganglia. However, there are few bibliometric studies on Pheochromocytoma. Therefore, this study was employed to summarize the global trends and current status in pheochromocytoma by bibliometric analysis.Materials and methodsThe Web of Science (WOS) core collection database was searched for publications relating to pheochromocytoma from 2001 to 2021. Bibliometric analysis was used to examine the data, and Microsoft Excel was utilized to create bar graphs. In addition, VOSviewer was used to carry out co-authorship analysis, co-citation analysis and co-occurrence analysis. CiteSpace was used to analyze the keywords citation bursts.ResultsA total of 8,653 publications published in 1,806 journals by 38,590 authors in 6,117 organizations from 100 countries/regions were included in our study. Among them, USA was the leading countries in terms of total publications and sum of time cited, whereas Eunice Kennedy Shriver Natl Inst Child Hlth &amp; Hum was the leading institutions. The main publications for pheochromocytoma-related articles were Journal of clinical endocrinology &amp;metabolism. Pacak karel and Eisenhofer Graeme were the main contributing authors. The studies on pheochromocytoma could be grouped into five clusters: Treatment, Mechanism, Etiology, Radiology and Hormones study. Moreover, the radiology study, etiology study and some specific keywords such germlines mutation, mesenchymal stem-cells, autophagy, neuroinflammation, neurotoxicity, and hemodynamic instability, may become the hot spots of future.ConclusionAlthough the number of articles on pheochromocytoma has fluctuated slightly over the past 20 years, there has been an overall upward trend. In general, precision medicine research on pheochromocytoma, especially metastatic pheochromocytoma, in terms of diagnosis, treatment, and etiology will be a hot research topic in the future. This study helps to understand the research perspectives, hot spots and trends of pheochromocytoma and provide new insight and a basis for future pheochromocytoma research quickly.
Decidualized human decidual stromal cells inhibit chemotaxis of activated T cells: a potential mechanism of maternal-fetal immune tolerance
Authors: Llorca Tatiana , Ruiz-Magaña Maria Jose , Martinez-Aguilar Rocio , García-Valdeavero Olga María , Rodríguez-Doña Lucia , Abadia-Molina Ana Clara , Ruiz-Ruiz Carmen , Olivares Enrique G. 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundNumerous lines of evidence confirm that decidual stromal cells (DSCs) play a key role in maternal–fetal immune tolerance. Under the influence of progesterone and other hormones, the DSCs go through a process of differentiation (decidualization) during normal pregnancy. In mice, DSCs inhibit the expression of chemokines that attract abortigenic Th1 and Tc cells to the decidua. We have studied this phenomenon in humans.MethodsWe established human DSC lines and decidualized these cells in vitro with progesterone and cAMP. We determined the expression of the chemokines CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11, whose receptor CXCR3 is expressed by Th1 and Tc cells, in undifferentiated DSCs and decidualized DSCs by qRT-PCR. Activated CD3+CXCR3+ cells, including CD4+ Th1 cells and CD8+ Tc cells, were induced in vitro. The migration capacity of these activated lymphocytes was investigated in Transwell chambers with conditioned media from undifferentiated and decidualized DSCs.ResultsWe demonstrated that CXCL9 was not expressed by DSCs, whereas the expression of CXCL10 and CXCL11 was inhibited in decidualized cells. Conditioned media from decidualized cells significantly inhibited the migration of Th1 and Tc cells. We found that decidualized cells secrete factors of MW less than 6000–8000 Da, which actively inhibit the chemotaxis of these lymphocytes.DiscussionThese results confirm in humans that decidualization of DSCs inhibits the expression by these cells of chemokines that attract Th1 and Tc cells and induces the secretion by DSCs of factors that inhibit the chemotaxis of these lymphocytes, thus preventing the arrival of abortigenic T cells in the decidua.
A comparison of the burden of knee osteoarthritis attributable to high body mass index in China and globally from 1990 to 2019
Authors: Song Min , Chen Huijing , Li Jingyi , Han Weichang , Wu Wenfeng , Wu Gaoyi , Zhao Anqi , Yuan Qing , Yu Jiani 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundExcess body mass index (BMI) plays a key role in the onset and progression of knee osteoarthritis (knee OA). However, the burden of knee OA attributable to high BMI at the global, Chinese, and regional levels have received far too little attention. The aim of this study is to provide evidence to support the design of policy by investigating long-term trends of years lived with disability (YLDs) for knee OA.MethodsTo illustrate the trends of YLDs for knee OA attributable to high BMI and the temporal trends of the YLDs rate by age, period, and cohort, Joinpoint regression software and age-period-cohort (APC) were used to analyze the YLDs data of knee OA from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019.ResultsIn China, there were 549,963.5 YLDs for knee OA attributable to high BMI in 2019, which had increased by 460.7% since 1990. From 1990 to 2019, age-standardized disability-adjusted life year rate (ASDR) of knee OA attributable to high BMI trended upwards. The average annual percent change (AAPC) of knee OA attributable to high BMI in China and globe were 3.019, 1.419%, respectively. The longitudinal age curve of the APC model showed that the YLDs rates of knee OA due to high BMI increased with age, and YLDs rates were higher among females than males. The period rate ratios (RRs) of knee OA due to high BMI increased significantly. The cohort RRs of knee OA due to high BMI increased among those born between 1900 and 1970. The net drifts of knee OA attributable to high BMI in China and globe were above 1. Compared with global condition, the net drift values of knee OA attributable to high BMI in China was higher. Compared with females, males had higher net drift value. Countries with high socio-demographic index (SDI) have a much higher burden of knee OA caused by high BMI than countries with low SDI.ConclusionIn China, high BMI is a substantial cause of knee OA, the incidence of which has been increasing since 1990. In addition, women and the elderly are more vulnerable to knee OA caused by high BMI. The Chinese government must take the long-term impact of high BMI on knee OA into account and implement effective public health policies and resort to interventions to reduce the burden as soon as possible.
Low host immune pressure may be associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma: a longitudinal analysis of complete genomes of the HBV 1762T, 1764A mutant
Authors: Jiang Zhi-Hua , Chen Qin-Yan , Jia Hui-Hua , Wang Xue-Yan , Zhang Lu-Juan , Huang Xiao-Qian , Harrison Tim J. , Jackson J. Brooks , Wu Li , Fang Zhong-Liao 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundIt has been reported that hepatitis B virus (HBV) double mutations (A1762T, G1764A) are an aetiological factor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, it is unclear who is prone to develop HCC, among those infected with the mutant. Exploring HBV quasispecies, which are strongly influenced by host immune pressure, may provide more information about the association of viral factors and HCC.Materials and methodsNine HCC cases and 10 controls were selected from the Long An cohort. Serum samples were collected in 2004 and 2019 from subjects with HBV double mutations and the complete genome of HBV was amplified and sequenced using next-generation sequencing (NGS).ResultsThe Shannon entropy values increased from 2004 to 2019 in most cases and controls. There was no significant difference in mean intrahost quasispecies genetic distances between cases and controls. The change in the values of mean intrahost quasispecies genetic distances of the controls between 2004 and 2019 was significantly higher than that of the cases (P&lt;0.05). The viral loads did not differ significantly between cases and controls in 2004(p=0.086) but differed at diagnosed in 2019 (p=0.009). Three mutations occurring with increasing frequency from 2004 to 2019 were identified in the HCC cases, including nt446 C→G, nt514 A→C and nt2857T→C. Their frequency differed significantly between the cases and controls (P&lt;0.05).ConclusionsThe change in the values of mean intrahost quasispecies genetic distances in HCC was smaller, suggesting that HBV in HCC cases may be subject to low host immune pressure. Increasing viral loads during long-term infection are associated with the development of HCC. The novel mutations may increase the risk for HCC.
A contrast-enhanced CT-based radiomic nomogram for the differential diagnosis of intravenous leiomyomatosis and uterine leiomyoma
Authors: Shao Jiang , Wang Chaonan , Shu Keqiang , Zhou Yan , Cheng Ninghai , Lai Zhichao , Li Kang , Xu Leyin , Chen Junye , Du Fenghe , Yu Xiaoxi , Zhu Zhan , Wang Jiaxian , Feng Yuyao , Yang Yixuan , Liu Xiaolong , Yuan Jinghui , Liu Bao 
Published: August 2023

ObjectiveUterine intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) is a rare and unique leiomyoma that is difficult to surgery due to its ability to extend into intra- and extra-uterine vasculature. And it is difficult to differentiate from uterine leiomyoma (LM) by conventional CT scanning, which results in a large number of missed diagnoses. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of a contrast-enhanced CT-based radiomic nomogram for preoperative differentiation of IVL and LM.Methods124 patients (37 IVL and 87 LM) were retrospectively enrolled in the study. Radiomic features were extracted from contrast-enhanced CT before surgery. Clinical, radiomic, and combined models were developed using LightGBM (Light Gradient Boosting Machine) algorithm to differentiate IVL and LM. The clinical and radiomic signatures were integrated into a nomogram. The diagnostic performance of the models was evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC) and decision curve analysis (DCA).ResultsClinical factors, such as symptoms, menopausal status, age, and selected imaging features, were found to have significant correlations with the differential diagnosis of IVL and LM. A total of 108 radiomic features were extracted from contrast-enhanced CT images and selected for analysis. 29 radiomics features were selected to establish the Rad-score. A clinical model was developed to discriminate IVL and LM (AUC=0.826). Radiomic models were used to effectively differentiate IVL and LM (AUC=0.980). This radiological nomogram combined the Rad-score with independent clinical factors showed better differentiation efficiency than the clinical model (AUC=0.985, p=0.046).ConclusionThis study provides evidence for the utility of a radiomic nomogram integrating clinical and radiomic signatures for differentiating IVL and LM with improved diagnostic accuracy. The nomogram may be useful in clinical decision-making and provide recommendations for clinical treatment.
Risk and diagnostic factors and therapy outcome of neonatal early onset sepsis in ICU patients of Saudi Arabia: a systematic review and meta analysis
Authors: Alshammari Mohammed K. , Alsanad Ahlam H. , Alnusayri Rawan J. , Alanazi Abdulmajeed S. , Shamakhi Fatmah Q. , Alshahrani Khaled M. , Alshahrani Abdullah M. , Yahya Ghaliah , Alshahrani Abdulaziz A. , Alshahrani Turki S. , Sultan Hamad S. , Alshahrani Fatimah M. , Alreshidi Fouzyia A. , Alnigaidan Renad A. , Almazyad Abdulaziz A. 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundNeonatal early onset sepsis (NEOS) is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition affecting newborns within the first few days of life. While the diagnosis of NEOS was based on clinical signs and symptoms in the past, recent years have seen growing interest in identifying specific diagnostic factors and optimizing therapy outcomes. This study aims to investigate the diagnostic and risk factors and therapy outcomes of neonatal EOS in ICU patients in Saudi Arabia, with the goal of improving the management of neonatal EOS in the country.MethodsThis method outlines the protocol development, search strategy, study selection, and data collection process for a systematic review on neonatal early onset sepsis in Saudi Arabian ICU patients, following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) is a well-established guideline that provides a framework for conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses in a transparent and standardized manner. It aims to improve the quality and reporting of such research by ensuring clear and comprehensive reporting of study methods, results, and interpretations. The search strategy included electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and the Cochrane Library) and manual search of relevant studies, and data were extracted using a standardized form.ResultsThe systematic review included 21 studies on neonatal sepsis in Saudi Arabia, with varying study designs, sample sizes, and prevalence rates of sepsis. Group B streptococcus and E. coli were the most commonly isolated pathogens. Various diagnostic factors and risk factors were reported, including hematological parameters, biomarkers, and blood cultures. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Joanna Briggs Institute critical checklist.ConclusionsThe review identified a number of risk and diagnostic factors and therapy outcomes for neonatal sepsis. However, most of the studies were having small scale cohort groups. Further research with controlled study designs is needed to develop effective prevention and management strategies for neonatal sepsis in Saudi Arabia.
Thermodynamic modelling of mixtures of water, carbon dioxide and hydrogen at high pressure and temperature for hydrothermal CO2 reduction processes
Authors: Navarro-Cárdenas Iván , Martín Ángel 
Published: August 2023

In the context of the increasing CO2 emissions and the corresponding environmental problems, CO2 utilization processes that transform CO2 into valuable compounds rather than just capturing and storing it can contribute to the transition to a carbon-free economy, giving value to unavoidable CO2 emissions. Among the different technologies studied, hydrothermal conversion stands out by the high yields achieved in comparatively short reaction times and by the possibility to scale-up the process. The hydrothermal conversion uses CO2 dissolved in aqueous solutions as feedstock, in which bicarbonate is the reacting species. Therefore, knowledge of the equilibrium concentrations of dissolved species is of interest for the development of the process. In this work, a thermodynamic model based on the activity coefficient model developed by Pitzer, Sun and Duan model is implemented and solved. The influence of different process conditions: temperature, pressure, composition of the initial solution, on the equilibrium composition of the dissolution is analyzed with the model. Experimental results obtained in hydrothermal reduction experiments are thus interpreted with the aid of the model. It is observed that the process is favored by moderate temperatures (&lt;500 K), high initial concentrations of sodium bicarbonate (up to 2 mol/kg) and moderate initial concentrations of sodium hydroxide (below 1.5 mol/kg).
Cardiorespiratory fitness and development of childhood cardiovascular risk: The EXAMIN YOUTH follow-up study
Authors: Hauser Christoph , Lichtenstein Eric , Nebiker Lukas , Streese Lukas , Köchli Sabrina , Infanger Denis , Faude Oliver , Hanssen Henner 
Published: August 2023

Background: Obesity- and hypertension-related cardiovascular (CV) risk has been shown to originate in childhood. Higher body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) have been associated with increased large artery stiffness and a lower microvascular arteriolar-to-venular diameter ratio (AVR) in children. This study aimed to investigate the association of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with development of BMI, BP and vascular health during childhood.Methods: In our prospective cohort study, 1,171 children aged 6–8 years were screened for CRF, BMI, BP, retinal vessel diameters and pulse wave velocity using standardized protocols. Endurance capacity was assessed by 20 m shuttle run test. After 4 years, all parameters were assessed in 664 children using the same protocols.Results: Children with a higher CRF at baseline developed a significantly lower BMI (β [95% CI] −0.09 [−0.11 to −0.06] kg/m2, p &lt; 0.001), a lower systolic BP (β [95% CI] −0.09 [−0.15 to −0.03] mmHg, p = 0.004) and a higher AVR (β [95% CI] 0.0004 [0.00004 to 0.0007] units, p = 0.027) after 4 years. The indirect association of CRF with development of retinal arteriolar diameters was mediated by changes in BMI.Conclusion: Our results identify CRF as a key modulator for the risk trajectories of BMI, BP and microvascular health in children. Obesity-related CV risk has been shown to track into adulthood, and achieving higher CRF levels in children may help counteract the development of CV risk and disease not only in pediatric populations, but may also help reduce the burden of CVD in adulthood.Registration:http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ (NCT02853747).
The prospects and challenges of Kosovo's accession to the EU in light of the EU's policies and priorities
Authors: Mexhuani Burim 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionThis paper analyzes the extent to which the EU's involvement in Kosovo's political and economic development has contributed to the country's progress toward democratization and European integration.MethodsThe study employs a comparative analysis of the EU's engagement with Kosovo versus other Western Balkan countries. It also utilizes a case study approach to identify the unique challenges presented by Kosovo's contested statehood. Data sources include official EU reports, agreements, commentary from experts, and economic indicators.ResultsThe findings show the EU has played a pivotal role in Kosovo through deploying its assistance instruments, facilitating the normalization dialogue with Serbia, and laying out a potential accession path. However, non-recognition by five member states, disputes with Serbia, and struggles meeting EU reform criteria impact Kosovo's integration prospects.DiscussionDespite its substantial involvement, the EU faces credibility issues in Kosovo due to ongoing hurdles thwarting Kosovo's advancement toward accession. The EU must increase its leverage over Serbia, incentivize internal reforms, and align member state positions to support Kosovo's European integration. A clearer pathway to membership in Kosovo would reinforce the EU's role in fostering peace, democracy, and prosperity in the Western Balkans.