bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of pathologic immunoglobulin E in food allergy by EBF-2 and active compound berberine associated with immunometabolism regulation
Authors: Yang Nan , Maskey Anish R. , Srivastava Kamal , Kim Monica , Wang Zixi , Musa Ibrahim , Shi Yanmei , Gong Yixuan , Fidan Ozkan , Wang Julie , Dunkin David , Chung Danna , Zhan Jixun , Miao Mingsan , Sampson Hugh A. , Li Xiu-Min 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionFood allergy is a significant public health problem with limited treatment options. As Food Allergy Herbal Formula 2 (FAHF-2) showed potential as a food allergy treatment, we further developed a purified version named EBF-2 and identified active compounds. We investigated the mechanisms of EBF-2 on IgE-mediated peanut (PN) allergy and its active compound, berberine, on IgE production.MethodsIgE plasma cell line U266 cells were cultured with EBF-2 and FAHF-2, and their effects on IgE production were compared. EBF-2 was evaluated in a murine PN allergy model for its effect on PN-specific IgE production, number of IgE+ plasma cells, and PN anaphylaxis. Effects of berberine on IgE production, the expression of transcription factors, and mitochondrial glucose metabolism in U266 cells were evaluated.ResultsEBF-2 dose-dependently suppressed IgE production and was over 16 times more potent than FAHF-2 in IgE suppression in U266 cells. EBF-2 significantly suppressed PN-specific IgE production (70%, p&lt;0.001) and the number of IgE-producing plasma cells in PN allergic mice, accompanied by 100% inhibition of PN-induced anaphylaxis and plasma histamine release (p&lt;0.001) without affecting IgG1 or IgG2a production. Berberine markedly suppressed IgE production, which was associated with suppression of XBP1, BLIMP1, and STAT6 transcription factors and a reduced rate of mitochondrial oxidation in an IgE-producing plasma cell line.ConclusionsEBF-2 and its active compound berberine are potent IgE suppressors, associated with cellular regulation of immunometabolism on IgE plasma cells, and may be a potential therapy for IgE-mediated food allergy and other allergic disorders.
Construction of Clostridium tyrobutyricum strain and ionic membrane technology combination pattern for refinery final molasses recovery and butyric acid production
Authors: Wang Bing , Zhou Xiang , Liu Wei , Liu Mei-Han , Mo Dan , Wu Qing-Feng , Wang Ya-Juan , Zhang Miao-Miao , Chen Lei , Yuan Shan , Zhou Bo , Li Xin , Lu Dong 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionClostridium tyrobutyricum has considerable prospect in the production of organic acids. Globally, refinery final molasses is rich in sugar and reported to have high levels of accumulation and high emission costs, recognized as an excellent substrate for C. tyrobutyricum fermentation, but there is no suitable method available at present.MethodsIn this study, an acid-base treatment combined with a new green membrane treatment technology – a dynamic ion-exchange membrane -was used to pretreat refinery final molasses, so that it could be used for C. tyrobutyricum to produce butyric acid. A high-performance liquid chromatography method was established to determine the conversion of a large amount of sucrose into fermentable sugars (71.88 g/L glucose and 38.06 g/L fructose) in the treated refinery final molasses. The process of sequential filtration with 3, 1, and 0.45 μm-pore diameter dynamic ion-exchange membranes could remove impurities, pigments, and harmful substances from the refinery final molasses, and retain the fermentable sugar.Results and discussionThis means that refinery final molasses from the sugar industry could be utilized as a high-value by-product and used for the growth of C. tyrobutyricum, with industrial feasibility and economic competitiveness. Using the treated refinery final molasses as a carbon source, C. tyrobutyricum was screened by the method of adaptive evolution. The strain with butyric acid yielded 52.54 g/L, and the yield of the six carbon sugar was increased from 0.240 to 0.478 g/g. The results showed that combination of C. tyrobutyricum and ionic membrane technology broke through the bottleneck of its utilization of refinery final molasses. This study provided an innovative idea for the C. tyrobutyricum fermentation to produce butyric acid.
A nomogram based on LI-RADS features, clinical indicators and quantitative contrast-enhanced MRI parameters for predicting glypican-3 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Song Yan , Zhang Yue-yue , Yu Qin , Chen Tong , Wei Chao-gang , Zhang Rui , Hu Wei , Qian Xu-jun , Zhu Zhi , Zhang Xue-wu , Shen Jun-kang 
Published: February 2023

PurposeNoninvasively assessing the tumor biology and microenvironment before treatment is greatly important, and glypican-3 (GPC-3) is a new-generation immunotherapy target for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study investigated the application value of a nomogram based on LI-RADS features, quantitative contrast-enhanced MRI parameters and clinical indicators in the noninvasive preoperative prediction of GPC-3 expression in HCC.Methods and materialsWe retrospectively reviewed 127 patients with pathologically confirmed solitary HCC who underwent Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI examinations and related laboratory tests. Quantitative contrast-enhanced MRI parameters and clinical indicators were collected by an abdominal radiologist, and LI-RADS features were independently assessed and recorded by three trained intermediate- and senior-level radiologists. The pathological and immunohistochemical results of HCC were determined by two senior pathologists. All patients were divided into a training cohort (88 cases) and validation cohort (39 cases). Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were performed to identify independent predictors of GPC-3 expression in HCC, and a nomogram model was established in the training cohort. The performance of the nomogram was assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and the calibration curve in the training cohort and validation cohort, respectively.ResultsBlood products in mass, nodule-in-nodule architecture, mosaic architecture, contrast enhancement ratio (CER), transition phase lesion-liver parenchyma signal ratio (TP-LNR), and serum ferritin (Fer) were independent predictors of GPC-3 expression, with odds ratios (ORs) of 5.437, 10.682, 5.477, 11.788, 0.028, and 1.005, respectively. Nomogram based on LI-RADS features (blood products in mass, nodule-in-nodule architecture and mosaic architecture), quantitative contrast-enhanced MRI parameters (CER and TP-LNR) and clinical indicators (Fer) for predicting GPC-3 expression in HCC was established successfully. The nomogram showed good discrimination (AUC of 0.925 in the training cohort and 0.908 in the validation cohort) and favorable calibration. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 76.9% and 92.3% in the training cohort, 76.8% and 93.8% in the validation cohort respectively.ConclusionThe nomogram constructed from LI-RADS features, quantitative contrast-enhanced MRI parameters and clinical indicators has high application value, can accurately predict GPC-3 expression in HCC and may help noninvasively identify potential patients for GPC-3 immunotherapy.
Awareness and knowledge of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia among Serbian pediatricians
Authors: Bjelakovic Ljiljana , Stosic Lazar , Klisic Aleksandra , Jovic Marko , Stankovic Sanja , Stankovic Aleksandra , Pantelic Sasa , Zivkovic Danijela , Vukovic Vladimir , Bjelakovic Bojko 
Published: February 2023

ObjectivePublished reports describing awareness and knowledge of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) among pediatricians are few and differ considerably across countries. We aimed to assess awareness and knowledge of the FH among pediatricians in Serbia.MethodsA web-based cross-sectional study using a self-designed questionnaire was conducted during the annual congress of the Serbian Association of Preventive Pediatrics in 2020.ResultsA total of 141 pediatricians completed the questionnaire (response rate 16.1%). Overall, 91% of participants have knowledge about genetic inheritance of FH, 84.3% were aware of long-term health risks of FH, 77% were familiar with normal cholesterol values in children and 71% knew the FH prevalence in the general population. On the other hand, only 36.8% declared that they were familiar with international guidelines for FH drug treatment and only 26.2% declared to have patients with FH.ConclusionThere is a substantial lack of practical clinical knowledge among Serbian pediatricians on managing children with FH. In addition, an extremely low questionnaire response rate (16.1%) suggests that most pediatricians are not aware of the clinical importance of FH in childhood.
Interaction between Chinese medicine and digoxin: Clinical and research update
Authors: Zhuang Wei , He Tao , Jia Bei-Bei , Wang Zhi-Zhou , Zhang Lan , Dong Xian-Zhe , Xi Sheng-Yan 
Published: February 2023

Background: Digoxin is one of the most widely and commonly used cardiac drug, which plays an irreplaceable role in treating heart failure and arrhythmia. The 2010 Edition of Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China stipulates that the effective range of digoxin plasma concentration is 0.5–2.0 ng/mL and it is toxic at plasma concentration &gt;2 ng/mL. Its effective plasma drug concentration is close to the toxic concentration, and large individual differences in the effects of the drug have been observed. It is often used in combination with other drugs, but drug interactions have a great impact on the plasma concentration of digoxin and lead to adverse reactions (ADRs), such as poisoning. Most of the reported drug interactions are with Western drugs. However, there are many combinations of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western drugs, TCM interacting with digoxin comprises monomer components, single medicines, and Chinese patent medicines.Aim of the study: We aimed i) to provide an overview of the TCM formulations affecting the pharmacology of digoxin and their mechanisms of action and ii) to provide a theoretical reference for the safe and rational use of digoxin in combination with TCM in clinical practice and to avoid ADRs.Methods: A literature search of electronic databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and WANFANG Data, was performed to search for articles published between 1 January 1960, and 1 August 2022. Search terms used included “digoxin,” “traditional Chinese medicine,” “Chinese patent medicine,” and “adverse reactions” and their combinations.Results: A total of 49 articles were obtained, including clinical reports, pharmacological experiments and in vitro experiments. The mechanisms of action affecting the pharmacology of digoxin are complex. TCM formulations may affect the pharmacology of digoxin in vivo by influencing gastrointestinal motility or gastric juice pH, regulating P-glycoprotein levels, exerting cumulative pharmacological effects, and enhancing the sensitivity of the heart to digoxin. Although studies have shown that some TCM formulations interact with digoxin, they may be influenced by the complexity of the composition and the pharmacological effects of the TCM, the sensitivity of digoxin concentration determination methods, etc. The results of existing studies are controversial and further in-depth studies are required.Conclusion: Combinations of digoxin and TCM formulations are commonly used. This article serves as a reference to understand the interactions between TCM formulations and digoxin to avoid the occurrence of ADRs and improve the efficacy and safety of digoxin.
Protective role of resveratrol against VCM-induced hepatotoxicity in male wistar rats
Authors: Alshehri Fahad S. , Alorfi Nasser M. 
Published: February 2023

Background: Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic with a high risk of acute liver injury. Resveratrol is believed to protect the liver against toxicity.Aim: To investigate the ability of resveratrol to attenuate vancomycin-induced liver toxicity in rats injected with vancomycin.Method: Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were distributed into three groups. The control group received only a vehicle, while the treated group received either vancomycin 200 (mg/kg, i. p.) only or vancomycin (200 mg/kg, i. p.) with resveratrol (20 mg/kg, oral gavage). All groups received their dose once daily for 7 days. Hepatic damage was assessed by measuring biochemical parameter levels in serum, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Also, antioxidants and inflammation biomarkers such as Interleukin-6 (IL-6), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and glutathione (GSH) were measured. Furthermore, the vancomycin-induced pathological changes in the liver were evaluated by histopathological studies.Results: In the vancomycin-treated group, hepatic serum biomarkers such as AST, ALT, ALP, IL-6, and MDA were elevated, while NO and GSH were depleted. However, resveratrol co-treatment with vancomycin prevented the elevation of AST, ALT, ALP, IL-6, and MDA and it protected the liver from NO and GSH depletion. Also, regarding vancomycin-induced degeneration of hepatocytes, resveratrol co-treatment with vancomycin prevented such degeneration and improved mononuclear cells in the liver.Conclusion: The results showed that oral administration of resveratrol has a significant hepatoprotective effect against vancomycin-induced hepatotoxicity.
Comparative efficacy different resistance training protocols on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Zhenyu , Zan Xingchun , Li Yongjie , Lu Yue , Xia Yuan , Pan Xinyong 
Published: February 2023

Objective: To systematically review the effects of different resistance training (RT) protocols on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women.Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the resistance training in improving bone mineral density for postmenopausal women were searched in databases including ProQuest, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science. The retrieval time range was from the establishment of the database to May 2022. The included literature was independently screened and relevant data was extracted by two reviewers. The systematic review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for reviews of quantitative evidence. Quality of risk was assessed using the Physical Therapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale, risk of bias was assessedusing the Cochrane RoB2 tool and a network Meta-analysis was performed on the data using Stata 16.0.Results: A total of 19 studies, which included 919 subjects, were eventually acquired. The results of the network Meta-analysis showed that moderate intensity resistance training was superior in improving lumbar spine bone mineral density (LS BMD) and femoral neck bone mineral density (FN BMD) compared to the control group (as per usual daily life), with a statistically significant difference (p &lt; 0.05). There was, however, no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of increasing total hip bone mineral density (TH BMD) and trochanter bone mineral density (Troch BMD), although moderate intensity training tends to increase bone mineral density (p &gt; 0.05). In addition, when training frequency is taken into consideration, 3 days/week of moderate intensity training (3MI) was superior to 2 days/week (2MI) in improving lumbar spine bone mineral density , and moderate intensity training was superior to low and high intensity resistance trainings at training frequency of 3 day/week, with statistically significant differences (p &lt; 0.05). The cumulative probability ranking results indicated that 3MI was the optimal option in improving lumbar spine, femoral neck, total hip and Troch bone mineral density. Subgroup analyses combining interventions time showed that for lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density, 3MI protocol with intervention duration within 1 year (≤48 weeks) had a significant advantage over other interventions, while this advantage was no longer significant with the intervention duration of more than 1 year (&gt;48 weeks).Conclusion: Current evidence shows that moderate intensity resistance training for 3 days/week can be preferred clinically to improve bone mineral density in postmenopausal women, and it is recommended that the duration of the same training should not exceed 1 year. Nevertheless, more high-quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
Estimated power output for a distance run and maximal oxygen uptake in young adults
Authors: Lin Gen-Min , Tsai Kun-Zhe , Sui Xuemei , Lavie Carl J. 
Published: February 2023

Background: Both cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and run field tests are recommended by the American Heart Association for assessing the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) of youth. Power output was highly correlated with VO2 max in CPET. However, it is unclear regarding the correlations of time and estimated power output (EPO) for a run field test with VO2 max obtained from CPET in young adults.Methods: This study included 45 participants, aged 20–40 years, from a sample of 1,120 military personnel who completed a 3,000-m run field test in Taiwan in 2020. The participants subsequently received CPET using the Bruce protocol to assess VO2 max in the same year. According to the physics rule, EPO (watts) for the run field test was defined as the product of half body mass (kg) and [distance (3000-m)/time (s) for a run field test]. Pearson product–moment correlation analyses were performed.Results: The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) of time against EPO for the run field test was estimated to be 0.708 (p &lt;0.001). The correlation coefficient between the time for the run field test and VO2 max (L/min) in CPET was estimated to be 0.462 (p = 0.001). In contrast, the correlation coefficient between time for the run field test and VO2 max scaled to body mass in CPET was estimated to be 0.729 (p &lt;0.001). The correlation coefficient of EPO for the run field test against VO2 max in CPET was estimated to be 0.813 (p &lt;0.001).Conclusion: In young adults, although the time for a run field test was a reliable estimate of VO2 max scaled to body mass, EPO proportional to the mean square velocity was found as a superior estimate of VO2 max.
Physiological regulation of calcium and phosphorus utilization in laying hens
Authors: Sinclair-Black Micaela , Garcia R. Alejandra , Ellestad Laura E. 
Published: February 2023

Commercial laying hens can produce one egg approximately every 24 h. During this process, regulatory systems that control vitamin D3 metabolism, calcium and phosphorus homeostasis, and intestinal uptake of these minerals work in concert to deliver components required for eggshell calcification and bone mineralization. Commercial production cycles have been extended in recent years to last through 100 weeks of age, and older hens often exhibit an increased prevalence of skeletal fractures and poor eggshell quality. Issues such as these arise, in part, through imbalances that occur in calcium and phosphorus utilization as hens age. As a result, an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms that drive calcium and phosphorus uptake and utilization is required to develop solutions to these welfare and economic challenges. This paper reviews factors that influence calcium and phosphorus homeostasis in laying hens, including eggshell formation and development and roles of cortical and medullary bone. Metabolism and actions of vitamin D3 and physiological regulation of calcium and phosphorus homeostasis in key tissues are also discussed. Areas that require further research in avian species, such as the role of fibroblast growth factor 23 in these processes and the metabolism and action of bioactive vitamin D3, are highlighted and the importance of using emerging technologies and establishing in vitro systems to perform functional and mechanistic studies is emphasized.
Measuring direct and indirect tendon parameters to characterize the proximal tendinous complex of the rectus femoris in football and futsal players
Authors: Mechó Sandra , Lisbona Ortega Raquel , Pruna Ricard , Nescolarde Selva Lexa , Morillas Pérez Jordi , Rodríguez-Baeza Alfonso , Martínez Agea Javier , Pérez-Andrés Ricard 
Published: February 2023

Objective: To present unprecedented radiological parameters that characterize the angle between the direct and indirect tendons of the proximal rectus femoris (RF) and its inclinations and to evaluate the population variability according to demographic variables.Materials and methods: From September 2019 to July 2021, using MRI multiplanar reconstructions of the proximal thigh/hip, two blinded radiologists measured the direct and indirect tendon angle and the inclination of each tendon in different planes. The intra- and inter-observer agreements were assessed with Bland–Altman analysis and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The correlations between radiological parameters and demographic variables were evaluated using linear regression, Student’s t-test, and analysis of variance.Results: We performed 112 thigh/hip MRI scans on 91 football players of different age, gender, and disciplines (football and futsal). For observer 1 (the reference), the mean direct and indirect tendon angle was 56.74° ± 9.37, the mean indirect tendon slope was −7.90° ± 7.49, and the mean direct tendon slope was 22.16° ± 5.88. The three measurements showed inter- and intra-observer agreement (mean differences ∼0). No correlation was observed between age and the parameters. Likewise, no statistically significant differences were found for gender, dominant limb, examined limb, and sport.Conclusion: There is an inter- and intra-observer agreement in the measurements of the direct and indirect tendon angle and the inclination of each tendon. There is population variability in the proximal tendinous complex unrelated to demographic factors. These results allow further detection of morphological patterns that represent a risk factor for lesions in the RF in professional football and futsal players and other sports.