bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A systematic review on the role of melatonin and its mechanisms on diabetes-related reproductive impairment in non-clinical studies
Authors: Armandeh Maryam , Bameri Behnaz , Haghi-Aminjan Hamed , Foroumadi Roham , Ataei Mahshid , Hassani Shokoufeh , Samadi Mahedeh , Shayesteh Mohammad Reza Hooshangi , Abdollahi Mohammad 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundDiabetes-induced reproductive complications can lead to subfertility and infertility, raising the need to protect reproductive organs. There are limited medications used to improve reproductive health in diabetic patients. Melatonin, mainly produced by the pineal gland, may improve diabetes-associated reproductive complications through various mechanisms and may be a preferred candidate to protect the reproductive system. The present review aims to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of melatonin’s effect on the reproductive system adversely affected by diabetes mellitus (DM).MethodsA comprehensive systematic literature electronic search was done using the PRISMA guidelines. Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus were searched for publications up to June 2022. Search terms were selected based on the study purpose and were explored in titles and abstracts. After screening, out of a total of 169 articles, 14 pertinent articles were included based on our inclusion and exclusion criteria.ResultsThe results of studies using rats and mice suggest that DM adversely affects reproductive tissues, including testes and epididymis, prostate, corpus cavernosum, and ovary leading to alterations in histological and biochemical parameters compared to the normal groups. Treatment with melatonin improves oxidative stress, blocks apoptosis induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress and caspase activation, reduces pro-inflammation cytokines, and enhances steroidogenesis.ConclusionMelatonin exerted a protective action on the impaired reproductive system in in-vivo and in-vitro models of DM. The topic has to be followed up in human pregnancy cases that will need more time to be collected and approved.
Associations between COVID-19 infection and sex steroid hormones
Authors: Cai Zixin , Zhong Jiaxin , Jiang Yingling , Zhang Jingjing 
Published: October 2022

AimsCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and within a few months of the first outbreak, it was declared a global pandemic by the WHO. The lethal virus SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted through respiratory droplets and enters host cells through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptors. ACE-2 receptors are highly expressed in many tissues, including testes. Therefore, the objective of this study was to summarize the available literature regarding the correlation between sex hormone levels and COVID-19.MethodsThe PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were reviewed systematically through August 2022 for studies comparing sex hormone levels between different patient groups: COVID-19 versus no COVID-19, more severe versus less severe COVID-19, and non-survivors versus survivors. Various types of clinical research reporting sex hormone levels, including free testosterone (FT), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), 17β-oestradiol (E2), the oestradiol-to-testosterone ratio (E2/T), prolactin (PRL), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), were included. Random- or fixed-effects models were used to calculate weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity among the studies was assessed by the I2 index, and data analyses were performed using meta-analysis with Stata version 12.0.ResultsTwenty-two articles that included 3369 patients were ultimately included in the meta-analysis. According to analysis of the included studies, patients with COVID-19 had significantly low T/LH, FSH/LH, and SHBG levels and high levels of LH, and E2/T, but their levels of FT, FSH, PRL, E2, and progesterone were not affected. Publication bias was not found according to funnel plots and Egger’s regression and Begg’s rank correlation tests.ConclusionLow T/LH, FSH/LH, and SHBG serum levels and high LH, and E2/T levels may increase the risk of COVID-19. Additionally, the greater is the clinical severity of COVID-19, the higher is the probability of increases in LH, and E2/T serum levels and decreases in T/LH, FSH/LH, and SHBG levels. COVID-19 may have unfavourable effects on gonadal functions, which should be taken seriously by clinicians. Routine monitoring of sex hormone levels might help clinicians to evaluate disease severity in patients with COVID-19.
Bone health in functional hypothalamic amenorrhea: What the endocrinologist needs to know
Authors: Indirli Rita , Lanzi Valeria , Mantovani Giovanna , Arosio Maura , Ferrante Emanuele 
Published: October 2022

In the original definition by Klinefelter, Albright and Griswold, the expression “hypothalamic hypoestrogenism” was used to describe functional hypothalamic amenorrhoea (FHA). Given the well-known effects of estrogens on bone, the physiopathology of skeletal fragility in this condition may appear self-explanatory. Actually, a growing body of evidence has clarified that estrogens are only part of the story. FHA occurs in eating disorders, overtraining, and during psychological or physical stress. Despite some specific characteristics which differentiate these conditions, relative energy deficiency is a common trigger that initiates the metabolic and endocrine derangements contributing to bone loss. Conversely, data on the impact of amenorrhoea on bone density or microarchitecture are controversial, and reduced bone mass is observed even in patients with preserved menstrual cycle. Consistently, oral estrogen-progestin combinations have not proven beneficial on bone density of amenorrheic women. Low bone density is a highly prevalent finding in these patients and entails an increased risk of stress or fragility fractures, and failure to achieve peak bone mass and target height in young girls. Pharmacological treatments have been studied, including androgens, insulin-like growth factor-1, bisphosphonates, denosumab, teriparatide, leptin, but none of them is currently approved for use in FHA. A timely screening for bone complications and a multidisciplinary, customized approach aiming to restore energy balance, ensure adequate protein, calcium and vitamin D intake, and reverse the detrimental metabolic-endocrine changes typical of this condition, should be the preferred approach until further studies are available.
Employment of Cannabis sativa biochar to improve soil nutrient pool and metal immobilization
Authors: Anjum Zufishan , Min Qi , Riaz Luqman , Waqar-Un-Nisa  , Qadeer Samia , Saleem Aansa Rukya 
Published: October 2022

Soil pollution with heavy metals has become a global issue because of anthropogenic activities causing gradual loss of soil nutrients and fertility, thus, reducing agricultural production. Biochar is recommended as an organic and environment-friendly option to address the issue of nutrient deficiency and heavy metal pollution. The present study was performed with biochar derived from Cannabis sativa to surplus soil nutrient pool and heavy metal immobilization. The characterization through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that biochar was brittle, porous, alkaline, and labile in nature. The elemental composition of biochar was carbon (75.3%), oxygen (19.2%), calcium (3.9%), potassium (1.5%), and chlorine (0.08%) determined by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed the occurrence of carbonyl group, phenols, and alcohols in biochar derived from Cannabis sativa. The soil was spiked with lead and cadmium salt solution (25 ppm and 250) and incubated for 30 days. It was found that biochar amendments (1% = BC1 and 5% = BC5) significantly (p &lt; 0.05) increased the soil physicochemical properties such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), oxidizable organic carbon (OC), total organic carbon (TOC), and organic matter (OM). In the case of BC5, OC increased by 189.86%, TOC increased by 189.13%, and OM increased by 188.68%, as compared to the control. Similarly, soil available nitrogen (AN) and soil available phosphorous improved by 233.3% and 101.79%, respectively, compared to control. On the other hand, BC1 showed a significant reduction (p &lt; 0.05) in lead and cadmium concentrations by 45.74% and 56.58%, respectively, in comparison to BC5 and control. In conclusion, we suggest that Cannabis sativa biochar may serve as an effective treatment for enhancing soil fertility and remediation of soil polluted with heavy metals.
Tumor cellularity beyond the visible in soft tissue sarcomas: Results of an ADC-based, single center, and preliminary radiomics study
Authors: Giraudo Chiara , Fichera Giulia , Del Fiore Paolo , Mocellin Simone , Brunello Antonella , Rastrelli Marco , Stramare Roberto 
Published: October 2022

PurposeSoft tissue sarcomas represent approximately 1% of all malignancies, and diagnostic radiology plays a significant role in the overall management of this rare group of tumors. Recently, quantitative imaging and, in particular, radiomics demonstrated to provide significant novel information, for instance, in terms of prognosis and grading. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic role of radiomic variables extracted from apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps collected at diagnosis in patients with soft tissue sarcomas in terms of overall survival and metastatic spread as well as to assess the relationship between radiomics and the tumor grade.MethodsPatients with histologically proven soft tissue sarcomas treated in our tertiary center from 2016 to 2019 who underwent an Magnetic Resonance (MR) scan at diagnosis including diffusion-weighted imaging were included in this retrospective institution review board–approved study. Each primary lesion was segmented using the b50 images; the volumetric region of interest was then applied on the ADC map. A total of 33 radiomic features were extracted, and highly correlating features were selected by factor analysis. In the case of feature/s showing statistically significant results, the diagnostic accuracy was computed. The Spearman correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship between the tumor grade and radiomic features selected by factor analysis. All analyses were performed applying p&lt;0.05 as a significant level.ResultsA total of 36 patients matched the inclusion criteria (15 women; mean age 58.9 ± 15 years old). The most frequent histotype was myxofibrosarcoma (16.6%), and most of the patients were affected by high-grade lesions (77.7%). Seven patients had pulmonary metastases, and, altogether, eight were deceased. Only the feature Imc1 turned out to be a predictor of metastatic spread (p=0.045 after Bonferroni correction) with 76.7% accuracy. The value -0.16 showed 73.3% sensitivity and 71.4% specificity, and patients with metastases showed lower values (mean Imc1 of metastatic patients -0.31). None of the examined variables was a predictor of the overall outcome (p&gt;0.05, each). A moderate statistically significant correlation emerged only between Imc1 and the tumor grade (r=0.457, p=0.005).ConclusionsIn conclusion, the radiomic feature Imc1 acts as a predictor of metastatic spread in patients with soft tissue sarcomas and correlates with the tumor grade.
The value of plasma insulin-like growth factor 1 and interleukin-18 in the diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants
Authors: Huang Lie , Guo Ning , Cheng Meile , Wang Jianhui , Chen Feifan , Shi Yuan 
Published: October 2022

ObjectiveTo explore the diagnostic value of IGF-1 and IL-18 in premature infants with BPD.MethodsThrough a prospective observational study, the serum samples of infants in the BPD group and the non-BPD group were collected at different targeted time points, and the serum IGF-1 and IL-18 concentrations were dynamically monitored by ELISA. The Student t-test and one-way analysis of variance were adopted to analyze data, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to test the diagnostic value.ResultA total of 90 VLBW premature infants admitted to NICU between January 2020 and 2021 were finally included. Compared with the non-BPD group, infants diagnosed with BPD had a significantly lower serum concentration of IGF-1 (P &lt; 0.05) but a higher level of IL-18 (P &lt; 0.05) on days 1, 7, 14, and 28 after birth. With the ROC curve analysis, the serum concentration IGF-1 on day 14 and IL-18 on day 28 reported high sensitivity and specificity to predict the risk of BPD (IGF-1: sensitivity: 89.29%, specificity: 77.78%, AUC: 0.8710; IL-18: sensitivity: 53.57%, specificity: 83.33%, AUC: 0.7887). And more substantial predictive power was found in combined analysis of IGF-1 and serum IL-18 on day 14: the sensitivity was 91.07% and the specificity was 83.33%, with the AUC of 0.9142.ConclusionIGF-1 and IL-18 might be closely involved in the occurrence and development of BPD. The serum concentration of IGF-1 combined with IL-18 could be potentially sensitive markers for the early diagnosis and severity of BPD.
Integrating network pharmacology and experimental verification to decipher the immunomodulatory effect of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang against poly (I:C)-induced pulmonary inflammation
Authors: Hu Liufang , Yamamoto Marina , Chen Jiali , Duan Huifang , Du Jing , He Liangliang , Shi Danfeng , Yao Xinsheng , Nagai Takayuki , Kiyohara Hiroaki , Yao Zhihong 
Published: October 2022

Pulmonary inflammation caused by respiratory tract viral infections is usually associated with acute exacerbation of respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, maintaining the pulmonary immune homeostasis is particular important for prevention of the acute exacerbation. Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (BZYQT), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, has been broadly used to improve respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders in China for over 700 years. Previously, we have found the regulatory activity of BZYQT on the lower respiratory immune system, while its potential effects during pulmonary inflammation remain unknown. Thus, the current study focused on deciphering its immunomodulatory effect and potential mechanism against pulmonary inflammation by using a viral RNA analogue, poly (I:C), induced murine pulmonary inflammation model and BEAS-2B cell model coupled with network pharmacology. Inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were counted through microscope examination according to the cell’s morphology and staining characteristics; protein and gene levels of inflammatory mediators were determined with Elisa and quantitative PCR, respectively; network pharmacology was conducted based on 46 BZYQT-related potential bioactive components, pulmonary inflammation and immune-related targets. Our results indicated that the recruitment of neutrophils and the expression of Adgre1 (encoding the F4/80, which is a macrophage marker) in the lung induced by poly (I:C) were significantly reduced after BZYQT treatment, and these effects were further demonstrated to be related to the interference of leukocyte transendothelial migration from the decreased levels of CXCL10, IL-6, TNF-α, CXCL2, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E/P-selectins. Furthermore, BZYQT inhibited the CXCL10, TNF-α, and IFN-β expression of poly (I:C)-challenged BEAS-2B cells in a dose-dependent manner. Through integrating results from network pharmacology, experiments, and the published literature, isoliquiritigenin, Z-ligustilide, atractylenolide I, atractylenolide III, formononetin, ferulic acid, hesperidin, and cimigenoside were presumed as the bioactive components of BZYQT against pulmonary inflammation. Overall, our findings demonstrated that BZYQT possesses a pronounced immunomodulatory effect on poly (I:C)-induced pulmonary inflammation, which provides a pharmacological basis for BZYQT in the treatment of respiratory disorders.
Slower Peak Pupillary Response to Emotional Faces in Parents of Autistic Individuals
Authors: Hogan Abigail L. , Winston Molly , Barstein Jamie , Losh Molly 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundAtypical autonomic arousal has been consistently documented in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is thought to contribute to the social-communication phenotype of ASD. Some evidence suggests that clinically unaffected first-degree relatives of autistic individuals may also show subtle differences in indices of autonomic arousal, potentially implicating heritable pathophysiological mechanisms in ASD. This study examined pupillary responses in parents of autistic individuals to investigate evidence that atypical autonomic arousal might constitute a subclinical physiological marker of ASD heritability within families of autistic individuals.MethodsPupillary responses to emotional faces were measured in 47 ASD parents and 20 age-matched parent controls. Macro-level pupillary responses (e.g., mean, peak, latency to peak) and dynamic pupillary responses over the course of the stimulus presentation were compared between groups, and in relationship to subclinical ASD-related features in ASD parents. A small ASD group (n = 20) and controls (n = 17) were also included for exploratory analyses of parent–child correlations in pupillary response.ResultsParents of autistic individuals differed in the time course of pupillary response, exhibiting a later primary peak response than controls. In ASD parents, slower peak response was associated with poorer pragmatic language and larger peak response was associated with poorer social cognition. Exploratory analyses revealed correlations between peak pupillary responses in ASD parents and mean and peak pupillary responses in their autistic children.ConclusionDifferences in pupillary responses in clinically unaffected parents, together with significant correlations with ASD-related features and significant parent–child associations, suggest that pupillary responses to emotional faces may constitute an objective physiological marker of ASD genetic liability, with potential to inform the mechanistic underpinnings of ASD symptomatology.
Regional burden of chronic kidney disease in North Africa and Middle East during 1990–2019; Results from Global Burden of Disease study 2019
Authors: Tabatabaei-Malazy Ozra , Saeedi Moghaddam Sahar , Khashayar Patricia , Keykhaei Mohammad , Tehrani Yeganeh Sharifnejad , Malekpour Mohammad-Reza , Esfahani Zahra , Rashidi Mohammad-Mahdi , Golestani Ali , Shobeiri Parnian , Moghimi Mana , Gorgani Fateme , Abdolhamidi Elham , Farzadfar Farshad , Larijani Bagher 
Published: October 2022

ObjectivesUpdating burden data of chronic kidney disease (CKD) as one of the most prevalent non-communicable diseases is essential for proper provision of healthcare by policymakers. We aimed to estimate the burden of CKD and its attributed burden in North Africa and Middle East region (NAME) during 1990–2019.MethodsThe CKD-related Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 estimates were extracted from Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) website.ResultsIn 2019, 2,034,879 new CKD cases (95% Uncertainty interval 1,875,830 to 2,202,724) with an age-standardized incidence rate of 447.5 (415.1 to 482.8) per 100,000 was reported, showing a 70.9% increase in the past 30 years. CKD led to 111,812 deaths (96,421 to 130,853) with an age-standardized rate of 30.4 (26.3 to 35.4) per 100,000. The highest increase and decrease in the mortality rate were estimated in Morocco 21.8% (−8.9 to 51.6) and Kuwait −41.5% (−51.2 to −29.1). In 2019, CKD was responsible for 744.4 (646.1 to 851.8) age-standardized disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), mostly contributed to “other and unspecified causes” [237.2 (191.1 to 288.4)], type 2 diabetes [205.9 (162.4 to 253.6)], and hypertension [203.3 (165.8 to 243)]. An increase was noted in DALYs from ages 25–29 and surged with an accelerating pattern by age. Kidney dysfunction, high systolic blood pressure, and high body mass index ranked as the top three risk factors for the disorder.ConclusionsOur study raised an alarm regarding the increasing CKD burden in NAME. There is an urgency to deal with hypertension and overweight/obesity at the primary care level, implementing CKD screening for at-risk groups, and facilitating the accessibility to appropriate treatments.
Preventive measures against the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Ibarrola-Peña Juan Carlos , Barbosa-Camacho Francisco José , Almanza-Mena Yolanda Lorelei , Chejfec-Ciociano Jonathan Matías , Reyes-Elizalde Emilio Alberto , Romero-Limón Olaya Moramay , Zaragoza-Organista Rafael , Cervantes-Pérez Enrique , Sapién-Fernández José Héctor , Guzmán-Barba José Aldo , Flores-Becerril Paola , Ochoa-Rodríguez Itzel , Nájar-Hinojosa Rodrigo , Cueto-Valadez Andrea Estefania , Cueto-Valadez Tania Abigail , López-Zendejas Martín , Fuentes-Orozco Clotilde , Cervantes-Guevara Gabino , Miranda-Ackerman Roberto Carlos , González-Ojeda Alejandro 
Published: October 2022

IntroductionUnderstanding how Mexicans behave during the pandemic could present a complete picture of the phenomenon in our country and provide better management of it.ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyze the Mexican population's behavior and preventive measures.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study in which a total of 4,004 participants from the general population responded to the survey.ResultsAlmost 99% of the participants mentioned knowing the symptoms of COVID-19. Although 77.5% of participants considered that they followed proper social distancing measures, 60% of them mentioned that they knew at least six individuals who did not follow social distancing measures. Furthermore, 96.2% of participants reported using preventive measures at least 50% of the time. Only 51.3% used a certified mask.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic outcomes in Mexico are the result of multiple negative factors, such as high rates of comorbidities, high number of people living together at home, many people breaking social isolation, and most of the population using non-certified preventive measures that may not be effective enough.
Genome-Wide Identification of the NAC Transcription Factors in Gossypium hirsutum and Analysis of Their Responses to Verticillium wilt
Authors: Bai Shimei , Niu Qingqing , Wu Yuqing , Xu Kunling , Miao Meng , Mei Jun 
Published: October 2022

The NAC transcription factors (NACs) are among the largest plant-specific gene regulators and play essential roles in the transcriptional regulation of both biotic and abiotic stress responses. Verticillium wilt of cotton caused by Verticillium dahliae (V. dahliae) is a destructive soil-borne disease that severely decreases cotton yield and quality. Although NACs constitute a large family in upland cotton (G. hirsutum L.), there is little systematic investigation of the NACs’ responsive to V. dahliae that has been reported. To further explore the key NACs in response to V. dahliae resistance and obtain a better comprehension of the molecular basis of the V. dahliae stress response in cotton, a genome-wide survey was performed in this study. To investigate the roles of GhNACs under V. dahliae induction in upland cotton, mRNA libraries were constructed from mocked and infected roots of upland cotton cultivars with the V. dahliae-sensitive cultivar “Jimian 11” (J11) and V. dahliae-tolerant cultivar “Zhongzhimian 2” (Z2). A total of 271 GhNACs were identified. Genome analysis showed GhNACs phylogenetically classified into 12 subfamilies and distributed across 26 chromosomes and 20 scaffolds. A comparative transcriptome analysis revealed 54 GhNACs were differentially expressed under V. dahliae stress, suggesting a potential role of these GhNACs in disease response. Additionally, one NAC090 homolog, GhNAC204, could be a positive regulator of cotton resistance to V. dahliae infection. These results give insight into the GhNAC gene family, identify GhNACs’ responsiveness to V. dahliae infection, and provide potential molecular targets for future studies for improving V. dahliae resistance in cotton.