bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dual role of peripheral B cells in multiple sclerosis: emerging remote players in demyelination and novel diagnostic biomarkers
Authors: Torres Iglesias Gabriel , Fernández-Fournier Mireya , López-Molina MariPaz , Piniella Dolores , Laso-García Fernando , Gómez-de Frutos Mari Carmen , Alonso-López Elisa , Botella Lucía , Chamorro Beatriz , Sánchez-Velasco Sara , Puertas Inmaculada , Tallón Barranco Antonio , Nozal Pilar , Díez-Tejedor Exuperio , Gutiérrez-Fernández María , Otero-Ortega Laura 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionMultiple sclerosis is an inflammatory and demyelinating disease caused by a pathogenic immune response against the myelin sheath surfaces of oligodendrocytes. The demyelination has been classically associated with pathogenic B cells residing in the central nervous system that release autoreactive antibodies against myelin. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether extracellular vesicles (EVs) mediate delivery of myelin autoreactive antibodies from peripheral B cells against oligodendrocytes in multiple sclerosis (MS) and to analyze whether these EVs could mediate demyelination in vitro. We also studied the role of these EV-derived myelin antibodies as a diagnostic biomarker in MS.MethodsThis is a prospective, observational, and single-center study that includes patients with MS and two control groups: patients with non-immune white matter lesions and healthy controls. We isolated B-cell-derived EVs from the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and analyzed their myelin antibody content. We also studied whether antibody-loaded EVs reach oligodendrocytes in patients with MS and the effect on demyelination of B-cell-derived EVs containing antibodies in vitro.ResultsThis study enrolled 136 MS patients, 23 white matter lesions controls, and 39 healthy controls. We found autoreactive myelin antibodies in EVs that were released by peripheral B cells, but not by populations of B cells resident in CSF. We also identified a cut-off of 3.95 ng/mL of myelin basic protein autoantibodies in EVs from peripheral B cells, with 95.2% sensitivity and 88.2% specificity, which allows us to differentiate MS patients from healthy controls. EV-derived myelin antibodies were also detected in the oligodendrocytes of MS patients. Myelin antibody-loaded EVs from B cells induced myelin markers decrease of oligodendrocytes in vitro.DiscussionPeripheral reactive immune cells could contribute remotely to MS pathogenesis by delivering myelin antibodies to oligodendrocytes. EV-derived myelin antibodies could play a role as diagnostic biomarker in MS.
Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, a controversial burden in the East African context: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Geteneh Alene , Andualem Henok , Belay Demeke Mesfin , Kiros Mulugeta , Biset Sirak 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionIt is well established that starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) increases a patient's life expectancy among HIV-positive individuals. Considering the HIV pandemic, the major concern is initiation of ARTs to the large segment of HIV infected population, not adverse events from immune restoration. The prevalence of HIV-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is poorly estimated due to Africa's underdeveloped infrastructure, particularly in Eastern Africa. Therefore, this study compiled data regarding the magnitude and associated factors of IRIS in the context of Eastern Africa.MethodsThe electronic databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and free Google access were searched till 5 June 2021, and the search was lastly updated on 30 June 2022 for studies of interest. The pooled prevalence, and associated factors with a 95% confidence interval were estimated using the random effects model. The I2 and Egger's tests were used for heterogeneity and publication bias assessment, respectively.ResultsThe development of HIV-associated IRIS in Eastern Africa was estimated to be 18.18% (95% CI 13.30–23.06) in the current review. The two most common predictors of IRIS associated with Eastern Africa were the lower pre-ART CD4 T-cell count of 50 cells/μl and the low baseline body mass index level. Therefore, attention should be focused on the early detection and care of HIV-associated IRIS to reduce the morbidity and death caused by IRIS.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi impact the production of alkannin/shikonin and their derivatives in Alkanna tinctoria Tausch. grown in semi-hydroponic and pot cultivation systems
Authors: Zhao Yanyan , Cartabia Annalisa , Garcés-Ruiz Mónica , Herent Marie-France , Quetin-Leclercq Joëlle , Ortiz Sergio , Declerck Stéphane , Lalaymia Ismahen 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionAlkanna tinctoria Tausch. is a medicinal plant well-known to produce important therapeutic compounds, such as alkannin/shikonin and their derivatives (A/Sd). It associates with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which are known, amongst others beneficial effects, to modulate the plant secondary metabolites (SMs) biosynthesis. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study on the effects of AMF strains on the growth and production of A/Sd in A. tinctoria has been reported in the literature.MethodsHere, three experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, plants were associated with the GINCO strain Rhizophagus irregularis MUCL 41833 and, in Experiment 2, with two strains of GINCO (R. irregularis MUCL 41833 and Rhizophagus aggregatus MUCL 49408) and two native strains isolated from wild growing A. tinctoria (R. irregularis and Septoglomus viscosum) and were grown in a semi-hydroponic (S-H) cultivation system. Plants were harvested after 9 and 37 days in Experiment 1 and 9 days in Experiment 2. In Experiment 3, plants were associated with the two native AMF strains and with R. irregularis MUCL 41833 and were grown for 85 days in pots under greenhouse conditions. Quantification and identification of A/Sd were performed by HPLC-PDA and by HPLC-HRMS/MS, respectively. LePGT1, LePGT2, and GHQH genes involved in the A/Sd biosynthesis were analyzed through RT-qPCR.ResultsIn Experiment 1, no significant differences were noticed in the production of A/Sd. Conversely, in Experiments 2 and 3, plants associated with the native AMF R. irregularis had the highest content of total A/Sd expressed as shikonin equivalent. In Experiment 1, a significantly higher relative expression of both LePGT1 and LePGT2 was observed in plants inoculated with R. irregularis MUCL 41833 compared with control plants after 37 days in the S-H cultivation system. Similarly, a significantly higher relative expression of LePGT2 in plants inoculated with R. irregularis MUCL 41833 was noticed after 9 versus 37 days in the S-H cultivation system. In Experiment 2, a significant lower relative expression of LePGT2 was observed in native AMF R. irregularis inoculated plants compared to the control.DiscussionOverall, our study showed that the native R. irregularis strain increased A/Sd production in A. tinctoria regardless of the growing system used, further suggesting that the inoculation of native/best performing AMF is a promising method to improve the production of important SMs.
Prognostic role of euthyroid sick syndrome in MIS-C: results from a single-center observational study
Authors: Fastiggi Michele , Meneghel Alessandra , Gutierrez de Rubalcava Doblas Joaquin , Vittadello Fabio , Tirelli Francesca , Zulian Francesco , Martini Giorgia 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundEuthyroid sick syndrome (ESS) is characterized by low serum levels of free triiodothyronine (fT3) with normal or low levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (fT4) and is reported in different acute clinical situations, such as sepsis, diabetic ketoacidosis and after cardiac surgery. Our aim was to evaluate the predicting role of ESS for disease severity in patients with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in children (MIS-C).MethodsA single-centre observational study on consecutive patients with MIS-C. Before treatment clinical, and laboratory data were collected and, in a subset of patients, thyroid function tests were repeated 4 weeks later. Variables distribution was analyzed by Mann-Whitney U-test and correlations between different parameters were calculated by Spearman's Rho coefficient.ResultsForty-two patients were included and 36 (85.7%) presented ESS. fT3 values were significantly lower in patients requiring intensive care, a strong direct correlation was shown between fT3 and Hb, platelet count and ejection fraction values. A significant inverse correlation was retrieved between fT3 levels and C-reactive protein, brain natriuretic peptide, IL-2 soluble receptor and S-100 protein. Subjects with severe myocardial depression (EF &lt; 45%) had lower fT3 values than subjects with higher EF. The thyroid function tests spontaneously normalized in all subjects who repeated measurement 4 weeks after admission.ConclusionESS is a frequent and transient condition in acute phase of MIS-C. A severe reduction of fT3 must be considered as important prognostic factor for severe disease course, with subsequent relevant clinical impact in the management of these patients.
Fetal renal cystic disease and post-natal follow up—a single center experience
Authors: Botero-Calderon Lorena , Lawrence Anne , O’Toole Natalie , Guay-Woodford Lisa M. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionPrenatal sonographic evidence of large, echogenic, or cystic kidneys may indicate any one of a diverse set of disorders including renal ciliopathies, congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT), or multisystem syndromic disorders. Systematic transition planning for these infants from in utero detection to post-natal nephrology management remains to be established.Aim of the workWe sought to evaluate the presentation and transition planning for infants identified in utero with bilateral renal cystic disease.MethodsOur retrospective observational study identified 72 pregnancies with bilateral renal cystic disease in a single center from 2012 to 2022; 13 of which had a confirmed renal ciliopathy disorder. Clinical and imaging data, genetic test results, and documentation of postnatal follow-up were collected and compared.ResultsIn our suspected renal ciliopathy cohort (n = 17), autosomal recessive polycystic disease (ARPKD) was the most common diagnosis (n = 4), followed by Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS, n = 3), autosomal dominant polycystic disease (ADPKD, n = 2), HNF1B-related disease (n = 2), and Meckel-Gruber syndrome (MKS, n = 2). Four cases were not genetically resolved. Anhydramnios was observed primarily in fetuses with ARPKD (n = 3). Polydactyly (n = 3) was detected only in patients with BBS and MKS, cardiac defects (n = 6) were identified in fetuses with ARPKD (n = 3), MKS (n = 2), and BBS (n = 1), and abnormalities of the CNS (n = 5) were observed in patients with ARPKD (n = 1), MKS (n = 2), and BBS (n = 3). In general, documentation of transition planning was incomplete, with post-natal nephrology management plans established primarily for infants with renal ciliopathies (n = 11/13; 85%).ConclusionPrenatal sonographic detection of echogenic kidneys should raise suspicion for a broad range of disorders, including renal ciliopathies and CAKUT. Multicenter collaboration will be required to standardize the implementation of transition guidelines for comprehensive nephrology management of infants identified in utero with enlarged, echogenic kidneys.
Factors associated with non-adherence to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers in older patients with peripheral arterial disease
Authors: Wawruch Martin , Petrova Miriam , Tesar Tomas , Murin Jan , Schnorrerova Patricia , Paduchova Martina , Celovska Denisa , Havelkova Beata , Trnka Michal , Alfian Sofa D. , Aarnio Emma 
Published: August 2023

Introduction: As in other chronic conditions, medication adherence is important in the treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Our study aimed at a) analysing non-adherence to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in groups of older ACEI and ARB users with PAD, and b) identifying characteristics associated with non-adherence.Methods: We focused on the implementation phase of adherence (i.e., after treatment initiation and before possible discontinuation of treatment). The study cohort included ACEI/ARB users aged ≥65 years in whom PAD was newly diagnosed during 2012. Non-adherence was defined as Proportion of Days Covered (PDC) &lt; 80%.Results: Among 7,080 ACEI/ARB users (6,578 ACEI and 502 ARB users), there was no significant difference in the overall proportion of non-adherent patients between ACEI and ARB users (13.9% and 15.3%, respectively). There were differences in factors associated with non-adherence between the groups of persistent and non-persistent (i.e., discontinued treatment at some point during follow-up) ACEI and ARB users. Increasing age, dementia and bronchial asthma were associated with non-adherence in persistent ACEI users. General practitioner as index prescriber was associated with adherence in the groups of non-persistent ACEI users and persistent ARB users.Conclusion: Identified factors associated with non-adherence may help in determining the groups of patients who require increased attention.
Rest–activity rhythm associated with depressive symptom severity and attention among patients with major depressive disorder: a 12-month follow-up study
Authors: Yang Hang-Ju , Cheng Wan-Ju , Hsiao Mi-Chun , Huang Sheng-Che , Kubo Tomohide , Hang Liang-Wen , Lee Wei-Sheng 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionPatients with depressive disorder demonstrate rest–activity rhythm disturbances and cognitive function impairment. This study examined the association of individual rest–activity rhythm changes over time with mood symptoms and attention.MethodsWe recruited 15 adult outpatients with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder from a single medical center and observed them for 12 months. Weekly rest–activity parameters, including rhythm characteristics generated from nonparametric circadian rhythm analysis, were retrieved from actigraphy data. Attention was evaluated weekly with a smartphone-based psychomotor vigilance test upon awakening. Depressive symptom severity was evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) fortnightly. The association of rest–activity parameters with BDI score and attention was examined using generalized linear mixed regression. A fixed-effects analysis was used to examine the association between rest–activity parameters and depressive episodes.ResultsAn advanced bedtime and most active continuous 10 h starting time were associated with depressive symptom severity but also associated with higher vigilance test performance. A longer sleep duration, mainly due to an earlier bedtime, was associated with depressive symptom severity. Compared to remission, sleep duration was 27.8 min longer during depressive episodes, and bed time was 24 min earlier. A shorter sleep duration and increased activity during sleep were associated with poorer attention.DiscussionRest–activity rhythms change with mood symptoms among patients with depressive disorder. The circadian rhythms of rest–activity among patients with depressive disorder should be distinguished during various mood states in future studies.
Prevalence and mortality rate of healthcare-associated infections among COVID-19 patients: a retrospective cohort community-based approach
Authors: Fakhreddine Soha , Fawaz Mirna , Hassanein Salwa , Al Khatib Alissar 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundThe prevalence of HAI among COVID-19 patients ranged between 4.8% and 42.8% with the highest occurrence observed in critically ill patients. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical features of HAI in severe and critical COVID-19 patients, their microbiological characteristics, and the attributable risk factors.MethodsThis is an analytical observational, retrospective single-center, cohort study that included 723 patients with severe-critical COVID-19 admitted to Saint George Hospital between September 2020 and February 2021. Data collection included demographic variables (sex, age), comorbidities, laboratory findings, HAI types and agents, COVID-19 treatment modalities, hospitalization settings, length of stay, and mortality rate. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.ResultsThe prevalence of patients developing HAI was 7.3% (53 of 723). Five types of nosocomial bacterial infections were tracked noting ventilator-associated pneumonia (41.26%), catheter-associated urinary tract infection (28.6%), hospital-acquired pneumonia (17.44%), catheter-related bloodstream infection (6.35%), and bloodstream infection (6.35%). Binary logistic analysis showed that HAI are statistically affected by four factors noting patients' age (p = 0.039), Length of Stay (p &lt; 0.001), BIPAP (p = 0.019), and mechanical ventilation (p &lt; 0.001). The risk of having HAI increases 3.930 times in case of mechanical ventilation, 2.366 times in case of BIPAP, 1.148 times when the LOS increases 1 day, and 1.029 times when the age is higher with 1 year.ConclusionSince the prevalence of HAI is high among severe and critical COVID-19 patients, it is important to prepare a treatment with diagnostic, preventative, and control measures for this infection.
Will the Relaxation of COVID-19 Control Measures Have an Impact on the Chinese Internet-Using Public? Social Media-Based Topic and Sentiment Analysis
Authors: Xin Yu , Tan Xiaoshuang , Ren Xiaohui 
Published: August 2023

Objective: In December 2022, the Chinese government announced the further optimization of the implementation of the prevention and control measures of COVID-19. We aimed to assess internet-using public expression and sentiment toward COVID-19 in the relaxation of control measures in China.Methods: We used a user-simulation-like web crawler to collect raw data from Sina-Weibo and then processed the raw data, including the removal of punctuation, stop words, and text segmentation. After performing the above processes, we analyzed the data in two aspects. Firstly, we used the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) model to analyze the text data and extract the theme. After that, we used sentiment analysis to reveal the sentiment trend and the geographical spatial sentiment distribution.Results: A total of five topics were extracted according to the LDA model, namely, Complete liberalization, Resource supply, Symptom, Knowledge, and Emotional Outlet. Furthermore, sentiment analysis indicates that while the percentages of positive and negative microblogs fluctuate over time, the overall quantity of positive microblogs exceeds that of negative ones. Meanwhile, the geographical dispersion of public sentiment on internet usage exhibits significant regional variations and is subject to multifarious factors such as economic conditions and demographic characteristics.Conclusion: In the face of the relaxation of COVID-19 control measures, although concerns arise among people, they continue to encourage and support each other.
Phytochemical Properties of Silk Floss Tree Stem Bark Extract and Its Potential as an Eco-Friendly Biocontrol Agent against Potato Phytopathogenic Microorganisms
Authors: Al-Askar Abdulaziz A. 
Published: August 2023

In the current study, the ethanolic extract of the stem bark of Ceiba speciosa, the silk floss tree (SFSB), was evaluated against various phytopathogenic microorganisms, including Ralstonia solanacearum, Dickeya solani, Pectobacterium atrosepticum, P. carotovorum, Fusarium oxysporum, and Rhizoctonia solani. At 300 µg/mL concentration, the SFSB extract exhibited the highest inhibition percentages of 83.33 and 86.67 for R. solani and F. oxysporum, respectively. In addition to its antimicrobial activity, SFSB extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity (IC50 value of 140.88 g/mL). HPLC analysis of the extract revealed the presence of various phenolic acids and flavonoids. Among these compounds, naringenin (18,698.83 µg/g), chlorogenic acid (2727.49 µg/g), ferulic acid (1276.18 µg/g), syringic acid (946.26 µg/g), gallic acid (812.34 µg/g), and methyl gallate (651.73 µg/g) were found to be the most abundant constituents. GCMS analysis showed that there were antimicrobial compounds like terpenoids, benzoic acid derivatives, phthalate esters, and different fatty acids. Isopropyl myristate was the most common compound, with a relative abundance of 55.61%. To our knowledge, this is the first investigation on the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial properties of SFSB extract. Consequently, utilizing SFSB extract could hold significant potential as a sustainable and natural approach for controlling and mitigating plant diseases.
Analisa Performa Algoritma C4.5 dalam Mendeteksi Tuberculosis pada Fitur GLCM Citra Chest X-Ray
Authors: Junaedi Imam 
Published: August 2023

Tuberculosis (TB) merupakan penyakit infeksi saluran pernapasan yang umumnya menyerang paru-paru. Indonesia memiliki permasalahan underreporting dan underdiagnosis kasus TB. Chest x-ray (CXR) merupakan salah satu sarana utama dalam pendeteksian TB pada paru-paru. CXR memiliki sensitifitas yang tinggi dalam mendeteksi mendeteksi abnormalitas paru-paru yang menjadi ciri-ciri penderita TB pada pasien yang tidak menunjukkan gejala TB. Pendeteksian TB pada CXR dapat dibantu dengan menggunakan Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD) dan machine learning. Penelitian ini menganalisa performa algoritma C4.5 dalam mendeteksi TB pada fitur GLCM citra CXR. Algoritma C4.5 dalam mengklasifikasi TB pada citra CXR dengan menggunakan fitur GLCM diuji dengan menggunakan metode cross validation pada 2-fold, 3-fold, 4-fold dan 5-fold. Algoritma C4.5 pada penelitian ini memiliki performa tertinggi pada uji 5-fold dengan akurasi sebesar 78,09%, sensitifitas sebesar 80,52% dan spesifisitas 75,62%. Algoritma C4.5 mampu mengenali citra berlabel TB lebih baik, hal ini dibuktikan dengan nilai sensitifitas yang lebih besar dibandingkan dengan nilai spesifisitas.
Re-Reading of Jeyamohan’s Vishnupuram Novel
Authors: Murugesapandian N 
Published: August 2023

Jayamohan wrote the novel Vishnupuram due to the influence of Indian history and philosophy. He re-reading the history of the past in the background of religions and philosophies, in the novel Vishnupuram. He questioned the institutions and authority that all religions have genereated so far. The narrative of the novel Vishnupuram suggests atheism as it moves towards the void. At one point the novel text has developed away from him, into separate, automatic writing.
Analisis Kinerja Rasio Profitabilitas PT Gudang Garam Tbk
Authors: Kurniawan Moh. Zaki 
Published: August 2023

Tujuan penelitian untuk menganalisis dan menilai kinerja keuangan berdasarkan rasio profitabilitas di PT Gudang Garam Tbk periode 2017-2019. Metode dokumentasi dipilih untuk teknik pengumpulan data. Metode analisis data secara deskriptif. Penelitian memiliki hasil (1) Net profit margin PT Gudang Garam Tbk selama tahun 2017-2019 dinilai cukup sehat berdasarkan hasil perhitungan rata- rata selama tiga tahun yaitu 11,46%, yang masih berada jauh di bawah standar industri sebesar >15%. (2) Return on assets PT Gudang Garam Tbk selama tahun 2017- 2019 dinilai sehat berdasarkan hasil perhitungan rata- rata selama tiga tahun yaitu 12,2 %, berada di atas standar industri sebesar >10%. (3) Return on equity PT Gudang Garam Tbk selama tahun 2017- 2019 dinilai cukup sehat berdasarkan hasil perhitungan rata- rata selama tiga tahun yaitu 18,9% yang masih berada dibawah standar industri sebesar >21%.