bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Clinical Typing on Serum Urate Targets of Benzbromarone in Chinese Gout Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Xue Xiaomei , Yuan Xuan , Han Lin , Li Xinde , Merriman Tony R. , Cui Lingling , Liu Zhen , Sun Wenyan , Wang Can , Yan Fei , He Yuwei , Ji Aichang , Lu Jie , Li Changgui 
Published: January 2022

IntroductionAchieving a goal of serum urate levels in patients with gout is an important way to prevent gout and its complications while it remains difficult with a low targeting rate worldwidely. Currently, hyperuricemia classification has not been widely applied to the management of gout owing to insufficient clinical evidences. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of achieving target urate based on hyperuricemia classification in Chinese patients with gout.MethodsIn this prospective study, patients with gout receiving urate lowering therapy with benzbromarone were assigned to two groups, a renal underexcretion and an unclassified type. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving the serum urate target (&lt;360 μmol/L) during the 12-week study. The frequency of acute gout attacks as well as physical and chemical indicators were secondary endpoints.ResultsTarget serum urate level was achieved in 60.5% of underexcretors compared with 39.0% of patients of the unclassified type at week 12 (P = 0.002). Blood glucose and cholesterol levels were lower in the underexcretor group compared with the unclassified type group at the end of the trial, without significant different frequencies in gout flare during the study. In subgroup analysis, stratified by body mass index and estimated glomerular filtration rate, the proportion of patients with serum urate &lt;360 μmol/L was greater in the underexcretion compared with the unclassified type group.ConclusionsThe increased achievement of target serum urate in the underexcretion group supports the use of a clinical hyperuricemia typing treatment strategy for gout.
Effects of Prone Positioning on Respiratory Mechanics and Oxygenation in Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19 Requiring Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Laghlam Driss , Charpentier Julien , Hamou Zakaria Ait , Nguyen Lee S. , Pene Frédéric , Cariou Alain , Mira Jean-Paul , Jozwiak Mathieu 
Published: January 2022

Background:The effect of prone positioning (PP) on respiratory mechanics remains uncertain in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) requiring venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO).Methods:We prospectively analyzed the effects of PP on respiratory mechanics from continuous data with over a thousand time points during 16-h PP sessions in patients with COVID-19 and ARDS under VV-ECMO conditions. The evolution of respiratory mechanical and oxygenation parameters during the PP sessions was evaluated by dividing each PP session into four time quartiles: first quartile: 0–4 h, second quartile: 4–8 h, third quartile: 8–12 h, and fourth quartile: 12–16 h.Results:Overall, 38 PP sessions were performed in 10 patients, with 3 [2–5] PP sessions per patient. Seven (70%) patients were responders to at least one PP session. PP significantly increased the PaO2/FiO2 ratio by 14 ± 21% and compliance by 8 ± 15%, and significantly decreased the oxygenation index by 13 ± 18% and driving pressure by 8 ± 12%. The effects of PP on respiratory mechanics but not on oxygenation persisted after supine repositioning. PP-induced changes in different respiratory mechanical parameters and oxygenation started as early as the first-time quartile, without any difference in PP-induced changes among the different time quartiles. PP-induced changes in driving pressure (−14 ± 14 vs. −6 ± 10%, p = 0.04) and mechanical power (−11 ± 13 vs. −0.1 ± 12%, p = 0.02) were significantly higher in responders (increase in PaO2/FiO2 ratio &gt; 20%) than in non-responder patients.Conclusions:In patients with COVID-19 and severe ARDS, PP under VV-ECMO conditions improved the respiratory mechanical and oxygenation parameters, and the effects of PP on respiratory mechanics persisted after supine repositioning.
Screening for Stereopsis Using an Eye-Tracking Glasses-Free Display in Adults: A Pilot Study
Authors: Liu Fang , Zhao Jing , Han Tian , Shen Yang , Li Meng , Liu Jingrong , Yang Dong , Fang Yong , Yan Li , Zhou Xingtao 
Published: January 2022

Purpose:To explore the feasibility and repeatability of a novel glasses-free display combined with random-dot stimulus and eye-tracking technology for screening stereopsis in adults.Methods:A total of 74 patients aged 18–44 years were recruited in this study (male: female, 32:42), including 33 patients with high myopia [≤ -6.0 diopters (D)] and 41 patients with moderate-to-low myopia (&gt;-6.0 D). Stereopsis was measured using glasses-free, polarized, and Titmus stereotests. All patients completed a visual fatigue questionnaire after the polarized stereotest and glasses-free test. Kendall's W and Cohen's Kappa tests were used to evaluate repeatability and consistency of the glasses-free stereotest.Results:The stereotest results using the glasses-free monitor showed strong repeatability in the three consecutive tests (W = 0.968, P &lt; 0.01) and good consistency with the polarized stereotest and Titmus test results (vs. polarization: Kappa = 0.910, P &lt; 0.001; vs. Titmus: Kappa = 0.493, P &lt; 0.001). Stereopsis levels of the high myopia group were significantly poorer than those of the moderate-to-low myopia group in three stereotest monitors (all P &lt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in visual fatigue level between the polarized and the glasses-free display test (P = 0.72). Compared with the polarized test, 56.76% of patients preferred the glasses-free display and found it more comfortable, 20.27% reported both tests to be acceptable.Conclusions:In our adult patients, the new eye-tracking glasses-free display system feasibly screened stereopsis with good repeatability, consistency, and patient acceptance.
Prophage Gene Rv2650c Enhances Intracellular Survival of Mycobacterium smegmatis
Authors: Fan Xiangyu , Liu Zichen , Wan Zhibin , Zou Hanlu , Ji Mengzhi , Sun Kaili , Gao Rongfeng , Li Zhongfang , Li Wu 
Published: January 2022

BackgroundInduced by the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis, tuberculosis remains one of the most dangerous infectious diseases in the world. As a special virus, prophage is domesticated by its host and are major contributors to virulence factors for bacterial pathogenicity. The function of prophages and their genes in M. tuberculosis is still unknown.MethodsRv2650c is a prophage gene in M. tuberculosis genome. We constructed recombinant Mycobacterium smegmatis (M. smegmatis) to observe bacteria morphology and analyze the resistance to various adverse environments. Recombinant and control strains were used to infect macrophages, respectively. Furthermore, we performed ELISA experiments of infected macrophages.ResultsRv2650c affected the spread of colonies of M. smegmatis and enhanced the resistance of M. smegmatis to macrophages and various stress agents such as acid, oxidative stress, and surfactant. ELISA experiments revealed that the Rv2650c can inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-10, IL-1β, and IL-6.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that the prophage gene Rv2650c can inhibit the spread of colonies and the expression of inflammatory factors and promote intracellular survival of M. smegmatis. These results build the foundation for the discovery of virulence factors of M. tuberculosis, and provide novel insights into the function of the prophage in Mycobacterium.
TanP: A Multifunctional Anionic Peptide From Tityus stigmurus Scorpion Venom
Authors: Melo Menilla Maria Alves de , Oliveira Verônica da Silva , Queiroz Neto Moacir Fernandes de , Paiva Weslley de Souza , Torres-Rêgo Manoela , Silva Sérgio Ruschi Bergamachi , Pontes Daniel de Lima , Rocha Hugo Alexandre Oliveira , Souza Miguel Ângelo Fonseca de , Silva-Júnior Arnóbio Antônio da , Fernandes-Pedrosa Matheus de Freitas 
Published: January 2022

Anionic peptides of scorpions are molecules rich in aspartic and/or glutamic acid residues and correspond to a class of peptides without disulfide bonds that are still little explored. TanP is a linear anionic peptide (50 amino acid residues and net charge −20) present in the venom gland of the scorpion, Tityus stigmurus, with chelating properties for Cu2+ ion and immunomodulatory properties. The therapeutic application of chelating molecules is related to cases of acute or chronic intoxication by metals, neurodegenerative diseases, hematological diseases, healing of skin wounds, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. In this approach, the chelating activity of TanP was evaluated in relation to new metal ions (Fe2+ and Zn2+) of biological importance, as well as its antioxidant, hemostatic, immunomodulatory, and healing potential, aiming to expand the biological and biotechnological potential of this peptide. TanP (25 µM) was able to form stable complexes with Fe2+ in a ratio of 1:5 (TanP: Fe2+). Theoretical results suggest that TanP can work as a sensor to identify and quantify Fe2+ ions. The fluorescence intensity of TanP (1.12 µM) decreased significantly after the addition of Fe2+, obtaining the highest ratio 1: 7.4 (TanP: Fe2+) that led to the lowest fluorescence intensity. For Zn2+, no relevant spectral change was noted. TanP (50 µM) showed a maximum of 3% of hemolytic activity, demonstrating biocompatibility, as well as exhibiting a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical–scavenging activity of above 70% at all the concentrations tested (1–25 μM), and 89.7% iron-chelating activity at 25 μM and 96% hydroxyl radical–scavenging activity at 73.6 μM. In addition, TanP (12.5 and 25 µM) revealed an anticoagulant effect, prolonging the clotting time in prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time assays, with no fibrinogenolytic activity. TanP (12.5 and 25 µM) induced the release of TNF-α by murine macrophages, in the absence of lipopolysaccharides, with a concentration-dependent increase and also stimulated the migration of 3T3 cells in the in vitro healing assay. Thus, TanP revealed a multifunctional potential, being useful as a prototype for the development of new therapeutic and biotechnological agents.
Colonic Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 Expression Is Increased and Associated With Disease Severity in Patients With Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Liao Peng-Hsiang , Chiang Han-Lin , Shun Chia-Tung , Hang Jen-Fan , Chiu Han-Mo , Wu Ming-Shiang , Lin Chin-Hsien 
Published: January 2022

BackgroundMutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) comprise a common genetic risk factor for Parkinson’s disease (PD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We investigated the expression of LRRK2 in colonic biopsies obtained from a cohort of PD patients and healthy controls.MethodsA cohort of 51 PD patients and 40 age- and gender-matched controls who have colonic biopsied samples were recruited. Among these participants, 26 individuals (12 PD patients and 14 controls) had a series of colon biopsies. For the patients with PD, the first biopsies were taken before the PD diagnosis. The colonic expression of LRRK2 was assayed by immunohistochemical staining.ResultsThe fraction of LRRK2-positive cells among the total cell count in biopsied colonic tissues was significantly higher in PD patients than controls (0.81% ± 0.53% vs. 0.45% ± 0.39%; P = 0.02). Colonic LRRK2 immunoreactivity was higher in those with LRRK2 genetic variants compared to those with wild type LRRK2 (2.44% ± 1.15% vs. 0.21 ± 0.13%, P &lt; 0.01). Age had no effect on LRRK2 expression (P = 0.96). LRRK2 expression correlated with disease severity in regards to motor symptoms measured by the UPDRS part III scores (r = 6335, P &lt; 0.001) and cognitive dysfunction measured by the mini-mental status examination scores (r = -0.5774, P &lt; 0.001). PD patients in the prodromal phase had a steeper increase in colonic LRRK2 expression compared to controls during the serial colon biopsy assessment (P &lt; 0.01).ConclusionColonic LRRK2 expression was increased in PD patients compared to controls, and the expression level correlated with disease severity.
Preoperative Contrast-Enhanced MRI in Differentiating Glioblastoma From Low-Grade Gliomas in The Cancer Imaging Archive Database: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Zhang Huangqi , Zhang Binhao , Pan Wenting , Dong Xue , Li Xin , Chen Jinyao , Wang Dongnv , Ji Wenbin 
Published: January 2022

PurposeThis study aimed to develop a repeatable MRI-based machine learning model to differentiate between low-grade gliomas (LGGs) and glioblastoma (GBM) and provide more clinical information to improve treatment decision-making.MethodsPreoperative MRIs of gliomas from The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA)–GBM/LGG database were selected. The tumor on contrast-enhanced MRI was segmented. Quantitative image features were extracted from the segmentations. A random forest classification algorithm was used to establish a model in the training set. In the test phase, a random forest model was tested using an external test set. Three radiologists reviewed the images for the external test set. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated. The AUCs of the radiomics model and radiologists were compared.ResultsThe random forest model was fitted using a training set consisting of 142 patients [mean age, 52 years ± 16 (standard deviation); 78 men] comprising 88 cases of GBM. The external test set included 25 patients (14 with GBM). Random forest analysis yielded an AUC of 1.00 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.86–1.00]. The AUCs for the three readers were 0.92 (95% CI 0.74–0.99), 0.70 (95% CI 0.49–0.87), and 0.59 (95% CI 0.38–0.78). Statistical differences were only found between AUC and Reader 1 (1.00 vs. 0.92, respectively; p = 0.16).ConclusionAn MRI radiomics-based random forest model was proven useful in differentiating GBM from LGG and showed better diagnostic performance than that of two inexperienced radiologists.
Identification and Validation of a Novel Six-lncRNA-Based Prognostic Model for Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yang Lingge , Wu Yuan , Xu Huan , Zhang Jingnan , Zheng Xinjie , Zhang Long , Wang Yongfang , Chen Weiyu , Wang Kai 
Published: January 2022

ObjectiveThis study was conducted in order to establish a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-based model for predicting overall survival (OS) in patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).MethodsOriginal RNA-seq data of LUAD samples were extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Univariate Cox survival analysis was performed to select lncRNAs associated with OS. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis and multivariate Cox analysis were performed for building an OS-associated lncRNA prognostic model. Moreover, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to assess predictive values of the hub lncRNAs. Consequently, qRT-PCR was conducted to validate its prognostic value. The potential roles of these lncRNAs in immunotherapy and anti-angiogenic therapy were also investigated.ResultsThe lncRNA-associated risk score of OS (LARSO) was established based on the LASSO coefficient of six individual lncRNAs, including CTD-2124B20.2, CTD-2168K21.1, DEPDC1-AS1, RP1-290I10.3, RP11-454K7.3, and RP11-95M5.1. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that LUAD patients with higher LARSO values had a shorter OS. Furthermore, a new risk score (NRS), including LARSO, stage, and N stage, could better predict the prognosis of LUAD patients compared with LARSO alone. Evaluation of the prognostic model in our cohort demonstrated that patients with higher scores had a worse prognosis. In addition, correlation analysis between these six lncRNAs and immune checkpoints or anti-angiogenic targets suggested that LUAD patients with high LARSO might not be sensitive to immunotherapy or anti-angiogenic therapy.ConclusionsThis robust six-lncRNA prognostic signature may be used as a novel and powerful prognostic biomarker for lung adenocarcinoma.
Impact of Anticipated Awake Surgery on Psychooncological Distress in Brain Tumor Patients
Authors: Staub-Bartelt Franziska , Radtke Oliver , Hänggi Daniel , Sabel Michael , Rapp Marion 
Published: January 2022

BackgroundBrain tumor patients present high rates of distress, anxiety, and depression, in particular perioperatively. For resection of eloquent located cerebral lesions, awake surgery is the gold standard surgical method for the preservation of speech and motor function, which might be accompanied by increased psychological distress. The aim of the present study was to analyze if patients who are undergoing awake craniotomy suffer from increased prevalence or higher scores in distress, anxiety, or depression.MethodsPatients, who were electively admitted for brain tumor surgery at our neurooncological department, were perioperatively screened regarding distress, anxiety, and quality of life using three established self-assessment instruments (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, distress thermometer, and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30-BN20). Screening results were correlated regarding operation technique (awake vs. general anesthesia). Retrospective statistical analyses for nominal variables were conducted using chi-square test. Metric variables were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test, the Mann–Whitney U-test, and independent-samples t-tests.ResultsData from 54 patients (26 male and 28 female) aged 29 to 82 years were available for statistical analyses. A total of 37 patients received primary resection and 17 recurrent tumor resection. Awake surgery was performed in 35 patients. There was no significant difference in awake versus non-awake surgery patients regarding prevalence (of distress (p = 0.465), anxiety (p = 0.223), or depression (p = 0.882). Furthermore, awake surgery had no significant influence on distress thermometer score (p = 0.668), anxiety score (p = 0.682), or depression score (p = 0.630) as well as future uncertainty (p = 0.436) or global health status (p = 0.943). Additionally, analyses revealed that primary or recurrent surgery also did not have any significant influence on the prevalence or scoring of the evaluated items.ConclusionAnalyses of our cohort’s data suggest that planned awake surgery might not have a negative impact on patients concerning the prevalence and severity of manifestation of distress, anxiety, or depression in psychooncological screening. Patients undergoing recurrent surgery tend to demonstrate increased distress, although results were not significant.
Comparison of Renal Stones and Nephrocalcinosis in Children: Findings From Two Tertiary Centers in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alhasan Khalid A. , Shalaby Mohamed A. , Albanna Amr S. , Temsah Mohamad-Hani , Alhayek Zainab , Abdalla Mohammed S. , Alotaibi Najlaa G. , Kalakattawi Nada M. , Zaher Zaher Faisal , Kari Jameela A. 
Published: January 2022

Background: Renal stones (nephrolithiasis and urolithiasis) and nephrocalcinosis are uncommon in children; however, their incidences in pediatric populations have been increasing.Patients and Methods: This multicenter retrospective study compared the clinical presentation, etiology, and outcomes of childhood nephrolithiasis or urolithiasis with those of nephrocalcinosis.Results: The study included 144 children: 93 with renal stones and 51 with nephrocalcinosis. The mean age at presentation was 72 months and 54 months for children with renal stones and nephrocalcinosis, respectively. A history of consanguinity was found in 65% and 76% of the cases of renal stones and nephrocalcinosis, respectively. Congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract (CAKUT) were present in 28 and 9.8% of the patients with renal stones and nephrocalcinosis, respectively. The most common symptoms of renal stones were flank pain (29%), hematuria (15%), and dysuria (11%). Urinary tract infection was the primary presentation in the nephrocalcinosis group (18%), followed by failure to thrive (16%), polyuria (12%), and dehydration (12%). The majority of renal stone cases were caused by metabolic disorders, including hyperoxaluria (18%), cystinuria (18%), hypercalciuria (12%), and hyperuricosuria (2%). In contrast, the most common underlying disorders in cases of nephrocalcinosis were familial hypomagnesemia, hypercalciuria, nephrocalcinosis (35%), distal renal tubular acidosis (23%), and Bartter syndrome (6%). Clinical outcomes were significantly better in children with nephrolithiasis/urolithiasis than in those with nephrocalcinosis, who showed radiological evidence of worsening/persistent calcinosis and progressed more frequently to chronic kidney disease (stage II-IV) and end-stage kidney disease.Conclusion: The average age at presentation for children with renal stones was greater than that for those presenting with nephrocalcinosis. More than 25% of the children with renal stones were found to have CAKUT. Nephrocalcinosis was associated with worse clinical outcomes related to kidney function and disease resolution than nephrolithiasis.
Differential Activity of Antioxidants in Testicular Tissues Following Administration of Chlorophytum borivilianum in Gamma-Irradiated Swiss Albino Mice
Authors: Vyas Ruchi , Kesari Kavindra Kumar , Slama Petr , Roychoudhury Shubhadeep , Sisodia Rashmi 
Published: January 2022

Background: Oxidative stress induced by radiation causes variable expression of antioxidant enzymes in a tissue-specific manner. Testicular tissues carry out the complex process of spermatogenesis, and studies indicate that testicular damages due to irradiation require long-term recovery before complete resumption. Ionizing radiation also causes oxidative stress in tissues, leading to testicular damage. Aims and Objectives: This study measured differential expression of antioxidant enzymes following administration of C. borivilianum root extract (CRB) in response to irradiation-induced oxidative stress. The activity of various important endogenous enzymatic defense systems was evaluated and correlated for strength of association.Materials and method: Two forms of C. borivilianum (CB) extracts [CB alone and CB-silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)] were administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight to Swiss albino male mice for 7 consecutive days. After that, they were irradiated with 6 Gy irradiation and further used to study various parameters of antioxidant enzymes.Results: Results indicate a significant increase in the level of glutathione (GSH) and the activity of GSH-related antioxidant enzymes in irradiated mice treated with CRE and CRE-AgNPs (silver nanoparticles biosynthesized using C. borivilianum root extract) in comparison to non-pretreated ones (groups I and II). Reciprocal elevation was observed in related enzymes, that is, glutathione S-transferase activity (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione peroxidase activity (GPx). Elevation in the activity of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was also evident in both the irradiated groups pretreated with CRE-AgNPs. However, expression of CAT in the CRE-treated irradiated group was similar to that of the non-treated irradiated group. Higher association among CAT-SOD, CAT-GPx, and GR-GST was observed.Conclusion: Overall, it was observed that testicular cells post-irradiation in all groups go through intense oxidative stress; however, groups pretreated with CRE or CRE-AgNPs indicated better toleration and resumption of antioxidant capacity. CRE or CRE-AgNPs pretreated non-irradiated groups mostly remained within the control range indicating stimulated expression of antioxidants.