bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevotella copri alleviates sarcopenia via attenuating muscle mass loss and function decline
Authors: Liu Xiaolei , Wu Jiqiu , Tang Jingyi , Xu Zhigang , Zhou Bailing , Liu Yang , Hu Fengjuan , Zhang Gongchang , Cheng Rui , Xia Xin , Chen Yilong , Wu Hongyu , Wang Daoming , Yue Jirong , Dong Biao , Fu Jingyuan , Yu Haopeng , Dong Birong 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe gut microbiome and fecal metabolites have been found to influence sarcopenia, but whether there are potential bacteria that can alleviate sarcopenia has been under‐investigated, and the molecular mechanism remains unclear.MethodsTo investigate the relationships between the gut microbiome, fecal metabolites and sarcopenia, subjects were selected from observational multi‐ethnic study conducted in Western China. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the criteria of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2014. The gut microbiome was profiled by shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Untargeted metabolomic analysis was performed to analyse the differences in fecal metabolites. We investigated bacterium with the greatest relative abundance difference between healthy individuals and sarcopenia patients, and the differences in metabolites associated with the bacteria, to verify its effects on muscle mass and function in a mouse model.ResultsThe study included 283 participants (68.90% females, mean age: 66.66 years old) with and without sarcopenia (141 and 142 participants, respectively) and from the Han (98 participants), Zang (88 participants) and Qiang (97 participants) ethnic groups. This showed an overall reduction (15.03% vs. 20.77%, P = 0.01) of Prevotella copri between the sarcopenia and non‐sarcopenia subjects across the three ethnic groups. Functional characterization of the differential bacteria showed enrichment (odds ratio = 15.97, P = 0.0068) in branched chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism in non‐sarcopenia group. A total of 13 BCAA and their derivatives have relatively low levels in sarcopenia. In the in vivo experiment, we found that the blood BCAA level was higher in the mice gavaged with live P. copri (LPC) (P < 0.001). The LPC mice had significantly longer wire and grid hanging time (P < 0.02), longer time on rotor (P = 0.0001) and larger grip strength (P < 0.0001), indicating better muscle function. The weight of gastrocnemius mass and rectus femoris mass (P < 0.05) was higher in LPC mice. The micro‐computed tomography showed a larger leg area (P = 0.0031), and a small animal analyser showed a higher lean mass ratio in LPC mice (P = 0.0157), indicating higher muscle mass.ConclusionsThe results indicated that there were lower levels of both P. copri and BCAA in sarcopenia individuals. In vivo experiments, gavage with LPC could attenuate muscle mass and function decline, indicating alleviating sarcopenia. This suggested that P. copri may play a therapeutic potential role in the management of sarcopenia.
Submillimeter fMRI Acquisition Techniques for Detection of Laminar and Columnar Level Brain Activation
Authors: Yun Seong Dae , Küppers Fabian , Shah N. Jon 
Published: August 2023

Since the first demonstration in the early 1990s, functional MRI (fMRI) has emerged as one of the most powerful, noninvasive neuroimaging tools to probe brain functions. Subsequently, fMRI techniques have advanced remarkably, enabling the acquisition of functional signals with a submillimeter voxel size. This innovation has opened the possibility of investigating subcortical neural activities with respect to the cortical depths or cortical columns. For this purpose, numerous previous works have endeavored to design suitable functional contrast mechanisms and dedicated imaging techniques. Depending on the choice of the functional contrast, functional signals can be detected with high sensitivity or with improved spatial specificity to the actual activation site, and the pertaining issues have been discussed in a number of earlier works. This review paper primarily aims to provide an overview of the subcortical fMRI techniques that allow the acquisition of functional signals with a submillimeter resolution. Here, the advantages and disadvantages of the imaging techniques will be described and compared. We also summarize supplementary imaging techniques that assist in the analysis of the subcortical brain activation for more accurate mapping with reduced geometric deformation. This review suggests that there is no single universally accepted method as the gold standard for subcortical fMRI. Instead, the functional contrast and the corresponding readout imaging technique should be carefully determined depending on the purpose of the study. Due to the technical limitations of current fMRI techniques, most subcortical fMRI studies have only targeted partial brain regions. As a future prospect, the spatiotemporal resolution of fMRI will be pushed to satisfy the community's need for a deeper understanding of whole‐brain functions and the underlying connectivity in order to achieve the ultimate goal of a time‐resolved and layer‐specific spatial scale.Evidence Level1Technical EfficacyStage 1
Age as a modifier of the effects of sarcopenia on survival among colon cancer patients after surgery
Authors: Lin Wen‐Li , Wu Li‐Min , Huang Wen‐Tsung , Guo How‐Ran , Chen Jyh‐Jou 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundStudies have been conducted to evaluate whether sarcopenia is a predictor for survival in patients with colon cancer postsurgery, but findings have been inconsistent, and effects of age were seldom evaluated.MethodsWe recruited 133 patients with resectable colon cancer who underwent surgery between January 2014 and December 2017 at a teaching hospital to evaluate the effects of sarcopenia on survival, after adjusting for age and other potential predictors, including visceral adiposity (VA).ResultsPreoperative sarcopenia was associated with worse overall survival (OS: 62.3% vs. 83.8%, p = 0.04) and longer hospital stay (20.6 vs. 14.9 days, p < 0.01) while VA was not. Cox proportional hazards regressions showed that sarcopenia was associated with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 2.91 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08−7.86) after adjustment for other independent risk factors, but was not associated with disease free survival. In stratified analyses, we found that sarcopenia was an independent factor for worse OS (adjusted HR = 1.94; 95% CI: 1.11−3.38) among patients >70 years, but not among patients ≤70 years (HR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.55−4.55).ConclusionsAge appeared to be a modifier of the effects of sarcopenia on OS among colon cancer patients postsurgery.
Conservation implications of tourism and stress for Amazonian caimans
Authors: Mendonça Washington C. S. , Duncan Wallice P. , Vidal Marcelo D. , Magnusson William E. , Da Silveira Ronis 
Published: August 2023

AbstractEcotourism is a strategy for biodiversity conservation, but it involves possible negative effects on animal health and welfare. Large predators such as crocodilians are one of the great public attractions sought after for tourist interactions. Interactions with wild animals and humans can hyperstimulate the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis in the short term, in the case of crocodilians showing an increased corticosterone level, which is indicative of physiological stress. Between September and December 2019, we simulated interactions between tourists and Amazonian crocodilians at Anavilhanas National Park in Central Amazonia, Brazil to evaluate the effects of handling and use of photographic flashes on black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) and spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) on circulating corticosterone and lactate. Corticosterone levels increased 1.7‐fold during handling and 2.7‐fold when exposed to photographic flashes in black caiman but not in spectacled caiman. Increased corticosterone concentrations in black caiman were characterized by an increase caused by handling and were more intense after flashes than in controls, but the combination of handling and flash had no effect. During handling in simulated tourist interactions, anaerobic respiration increased lactate in black caiman but not in spectacled caiman. The effect of simulated tourist interactions with Amazonian crocodilians was dependent on the handling and especially on flash use in black caiman. The results can assist management, conservation programs, and public policies, especially in programs based on tourism interaction with Amazonian crocodilians.
Can Ganciclovir and Quercetin‐P188 Ameliorate Cytomegalovirus Induced Hearing Loss?
Authors: Suarez Daniel , Kjar Andrew , Scott Boston , Hillam Katrina , Vargis Elizabeth , Nielson Christopher , Sommer Elizabeth , Zhang Emily , Holley Anna , Traxler Abigail , Hughes Maura , Wang Yong , Firpo Matthew A. , Britt David , Park Albert H. 
Published: August 2023

ObjectiveDetermine whether combination therapy with ganciclovir (GCV) and a Quercetin‐P188 solution improves hearing outcomes in a murine cytomegalovirus (CMV) model.MethodsBALB/c mice were infected with murine CMV on postnatal day 3 (p3). Quercetin was solubilized in saline using P188 (QP188). Treatment groups received either GCV, QP188, GCV and QP188, or P188 delivery vehicle BID at 12‐hour intervals via intraperitoneal injection. All treatment groups were treated for 14 days starting at p3. Uninfected controls were treated with the combined regimen, saline or P188 delivery vehicle. Auditory thresholds were assessed using distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) and auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing at 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age. Temporal bones from separate CMV‐infected groups were harvested at p10, and viral load was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.ResultsCMV‐infected mice receiving combination therapy GCV+QP188 demonstrated statistically significant lower ABR (p < 0.001) and DPOAE thresholds (p < 0.001) compared with mice treated with GCV monotherapy, QP188 monotherapy, and P188 delivery vehicle at 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age. GCV+QP188 combination therapy, GCV monotherapy, and QP188 monotherapy resulted in a nonsignificant reduction in mean viral titers compared to P188 monotherapy (p = 0.08).ConclusionCombining GCV with the excipients quercetin and P188 effectively ameliorated CMV‐induced sensorineural hearing loss in a murine model. This result may be partially explained by a reduction in viral titers in mouse temporal bones that correlate with in vitro studies demonstrating additive antiviral effect in cell culture.Level of EvidenceNA Laryngoscope, 134:1457–1463, 2024
Management of Idiopathic Vocal Process Granuloma: A Survey of Academic Laryngologists
Authors: Boyce Claire , Schmidt Kelly L. , Gilbert Mark R. 
Published: August 2023

ObjectivesVocal process granulomas (VPGs) are benign laryngeal lesions that may manifest as ulcerated regions of the vocal fold or nodular polypoid lesions. Gold standard treatments for idiopathic VPG are yet to be established at this time. This study evaluated clinical decision‐making and outcomes in the treatment of VPG patients based on experiences of academic laryngologists across the United States.MethodsA 21‐question survey was developed to evaluate each respondent's specific VPG patient population, clinical decision‐making in treating VPG, and corresponding treatment outcomes. The survey was distributed to 168 laryngologists at academic institutions across the United States. Data were analyzed through the Qualtrics platform.ResultsA total of 106 responses were analyzed, with a completion rate of 63.1%. Etiology of VPG was most commonly attributed to phonotrauma (96.2%) and reflux (71.8%). Primary first‐line treatment was most commonly antireflux medications (92%). Other common first line treatments included voice therapy (58.8%) and inhaled steroids (42.5%). With these treatments, the majority of laryngologists report that recurrence is uncommon (68.4%). Dysphonia was cited as the most frequent long‐term sequelae at 27.8%.ConclusionsVPG treatment strategies continue to be controversial across the United States with many treatments described in the literature with variable application in the practice of academic laryngologists today. Based on survey results, antireflux medications and voice therapy may be the most widely used and most effective treatment options. Establishment of gold standard therapy for VPG as well as further research into recurrent or persistent VPG despite antireflux and voice therapy should be explored.Level of Evidence5 Laryngoscope, 134:795–802, 2024
Preparation and quality control of in‐house reference materials for marine dissolved inorganic carbon and total alkalinity measurements
Authors: Moras Charly A. , Bach Lennart T. , Cyronak Tyler , Joannes‐Boyau Renaud , Schulz Kai G. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAccurate measurements of seawater carbonate chemistry are crucial for marine carbon cycle research. Certified reference materials (CRMs) are typically analyzed alongside samples to correct measurements for calibration drift. However, the COVID‐19 pandemic led to a limited access to CRMs. In response to this shortage, we prepared and monitored in‐house reference materials (IHRMs) for total alkalinity (TA) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), over 12 and 15 months, respectively. Overall, TA was stable, but a slight increase in DIC of about 2 μmol kg−1 occurred over 15 months. The increase could potentially be attributed to bacterial growth, despite mercuric chloride fixation and repeated UV exposure. It is noted that this small increase was most likely within our instrument and measurements uncertainties. Our repeated measurements also identified a few bottles that had TA or DIC concentrations 4–5 μmol kg−1 higher than the rest, indicating issues during cleaning, fixation, or storage of individual bottles. This study emphasizes the importance of careful and continuous monitoring if self‐prepared IHRMs are used. Given that the amount of work required is very high, IHRM preparation is only recommended when CRMs are not available.
Polyampholyte Polymers‐Based Sensors: A Review on Stimuli and Applications
Authors: Zardehi‐Tabriz Ali , Ghayebzadeh Yoones , Gerdroodbar Amirhossein Enayati , Golshan Marzieh , Roghani‐Mamaqani Hossein , Salami‐Kalajahi Mehdi 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPolyampholytes are a specific type of zwitterionic materials composed of monomers with both positive and negative charges. These materials can be synthesized through various methods, such as free radical, anionic, or cationic polymerization, or by modifying existing polymers through postpolymerization processes. Polyampholytes possess unique properties that make them attractive for a wide range of applications, particularly in sensor technology. They can undergo conformational changes in response to external stimuli like pH variations, temperature fluctuations, or changes in salt concentration. These properties have led to their application in biosensors, salt and ion sensors, pH sensors, fluorescence‐based sensors, strain sensors, and thermosensitive sensors. It is worth noting that in some cases polyampholytes can respond to multiple stimuli simultaneously. Overall, polyampholytes are drawing great attention for their excellent mechanical properties including self‐healing, high toughness, and fatigue resistance. Thus, this review is focused on advances that are made to develop polyampholyte polymer‐based sensors in different applications.
A novel hypoxia‐stimulated lncRNA HIF1A‐AS3 binds with YBX1 to promote ovarian cancer tumorigenesis by suppressing p21 and AJAP1 transcription
Authors: Xie Wan , Wang Weijiao , Meng Silu , Wu Xue , Liu Xiaoyu , Liu Yuhuan , Kang Xiaoyan , Su Yue , Lv Xiaofeng , Guo Lili , Wang Changyu 
Published: August 2023

AbstractHypoxia is characteristic of the ovarian tumor (OC) microenvironment and profoundly affects tumorigenesis and therapeutic response. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play various roles in tumor progression; however, the characteristics of lncRNAs in pathological responses of the OC microenvironment are not entirely understood. Through high‐throughput sequencing, lncRNA expression in hypoxia (1% O2) and normoxia (21% O2) SKOV3 cells was explored and analyzed. The 5′‐ and 3′‐rapid amplification of complementary DNA ends was used to detect the full length of the novel HIF1A‐AS3 transcript. Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to assess HIF1A‐AS3 expression in OC cells and tissues. In vitro and in vivo evaluations of the biological functions of hypoxic HIF1A‐AS3 were conducted. To clarify the underlying mechanisms of HIF1A‐AS3 in hypoxic OC, a dual‐luciferase assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation, RNA pull‐down, RNA immunoprecipitation, and RNA‐sequencing were used. We used high‐throughput sequencing to investigate a novel lncRNA, HIF1A‐AS3, as a hypoxic candidate significantly elevated in OC cells/tissues. HIF1A‐AS3 was predominantly localized in the nucleus and promoted in vitro and in vivo OC growth and tumorigenesis. Hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α bound to hypoxia response elements in the HIF1A‐AS3 promoter region and stimulated its expression in hypoxia. Under hypoxia, HIF1A‐AS3 directly integrated with Y‐Box binding protein 1 and inhibited its ability to bind to the promoters of p21 and AJAP1 to repress their transcriptional activity, thereby promoting hypoxic OC progression. Our results revealed the crucial role and mechanism of the novel hypoxic HIF1A‐AS3 in the oncogenesis of OC. The novel HIF1A‐AS3 could be a crucial biomarker and therapeutic target for future OC treatments.
Discovery of deoxyandrographolide and its novel effect on vascular senescence by targeting HDAC1
Authors: Lin Zhongxiao , He Hao , Xian Yu , Cai Jianghong , Ge Qinyang , Guo Minghao , Zheng Quan , Liu Xiaoyan , Mo Chengke , Zhang Xin , Qi Wei , Zhang Youming , Liang Lu , Yu Xi‐Yong , Zhu Yi Zhun 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAconitum carmichaelii (Fuzi) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been widely used in the clinic to save the dying life for over several thousand years. However, the medicinal components of Fuzi in treating vascular senescence (VS) and its potential mechanism remain unclear. In this study, a network pharmacology method was used to explore the possible components and further validated by experiments to get a candidate compound, deoxyandrographolide (DA). DA restrains aging biomarkers, such as p16, p21, γH2A.X, and p53 in vitro and in vivo blood co‐culture studies. Histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1), mouse double minute2 (MDM2), cyclin‐dependent kinase 4, and mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase (mTOR) are predicted to be the possible targets of DA based on virtual screening. Subsequent bio‐layer interferometry results indicated that DA showed good affinity capability with HDAC1. DA enhances the protein expression of HDAC1 in the angiotensin II‐induced senescence process by inhibiting its ubiquitination degradation. Loss of HDAC1 by CRISPR/Cas9 leads to the disappearance of DA's anti‐aging property. The enhancement of HDAC1 represses H3K4me3 (a biomarker of chromosomal activity) and improves chromosome stability. RNA sequencing results also confirmed our hypothesis. Our evidence illuminated that DA may achieve as a novel compound in the treatment of VS by improving chromosome stability.
Model order reduction for deforming domain problems in a time‐continuous space‐time setting
Authors: Key Fabian , von Danwitz Max , Ballarin Francesco , Rozza Gianluigi 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIn the context of simulation‐based methods, multiple challenges arise, two of which are considered in this work. As a first challenge, problems including time‐dependent phenomena with complex domain deformations, potentially even with changes in the domain topology, need to be tackled appropriately. The second challenge arises when computational resources and the time for evaluating the model become critical in so‐called many query scenarios for parametric problems. For example, these problems occur in optimization, uncertainty quantification (UQ), or automatic control, and using highly resolved full‐order models (FOMs) may become impractical. To address both types of complexity, we present a novel projection‐based model order reduction (MOR) approach for deforming domain problems that takes advantage of the time‐continuous space‐time formulation. We apply it to two examples that are relevant to engineering or biomedical applications and conduct an error and performance analysis. In both cases, we are able to drastically reduce the computational expense for a model evaluation and, at the same time, maintain an adequate accuracy level, each compared to the original time‐continuous space‐time full‐order model (FOM). All in all, this work indicates the effectiveness of the presented MOR approach for deforming domain problems by taking advantage of a time‐continuous space‐time setting.
Factors affecting access to dialysis for patients with end‐stage kidney disease in Sub‐Saharan Africa: A scoping review
Authors: Japiong Milipaak , Landy Christine Kurtz , Fox Mary T. , Mensah Joseph , Adatara Peter 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAimsThis scoping review examined the factors affecting access to dialysis for patients with end‐stage kidney disease in Sub‐Saharan Africa.DesignScoping review.MethodsThe scoping review is conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews and modelled by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses extension for scoping review.ResultsA descriptive content analysis of 30 included articles revealed three main findings affecting access and use of dialysis: Health system–related factors, health provider–related factors and patient factors.Patient or Public ContributionEquity in renal replacement therapy access and use will require concerted advocacy for good public policy, healthcare delivery, workforce capacity and education.
Regional Collaboration and Trends in Clinical Management of Thyroid Cancer
Authors: van Dijk Sam P.J. , Coerts Hannelore I. , Lončar Ivona , van Kinschot Caroline M.J. , von Meyenfeldt Erik M. , Edward Visser W. , van Noord Charlotte , Zengerink Hans F. , ten Broek Marc R.J. , Verhoef Cornelis , Peeters Robin P. , van Ginhoven Tessa M. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractObjectiveThis study examines the trends in the management of thyroid cancer and clinical outcomes in the Southwestern region of The Netherlands from 2010 to 2021, where a regional collaborative network has been implemented in January 2016.Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingThis study encompasses all patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer of any subtype between January 2010 and June 2021 in 10 collaborating hospitals in the Southwestern region of The Netherlands.MethodsThe primary outcome of this study was the occurrence of postoperative complications. Secondary outcomes were trends in surgical management, centralization, and waiting times of patients with thyroid cancer.ResultsThis study included 1186 patients with thyroid cancer. Median follow‐up was 58 [interquartile range: 24‐95] months. Surgery was performed in 1027 (86.6%) patients. No differences in postoperative complications, such as long‐term hypoparathyroidism, permanent recurrent nerve paresis, or reoperation due to bleeding were seen over time. The percentage of patients with low‐risk papillary thyroid carcinoma referred to the academic hospital decreased from 85% (n = 120/142) in 2010 to 2013 to 70% (n = 120/171) in 2014 to 2017 and 62% (n = 100/162) in 2018 to 2021 (P < .01). The percentage of patients undergoing a hemithyroidectomy alone was 9% (n = 28/323) in 2010 to 2013 and increased to 20% (n = 63/317; P < .01) in 2018 to 2021.ConclusionThe establishment of a regional oncological network coincided with a de‐escalation of thyroid cancer treatment and centralization of complex patients and interventions. However, no differences in postoperative complications over time were observed. Determining the impact of regional oncological networks on quality of care is challenging in the absence of uniform quality indicators.