bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An induced population of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes more resistant to complement lysis promotes a phenotype with greater differentiation, invasiveness, and release of extracellular vesicles
Authors: Rossi Izadora Volpato , Nunes Maria Alice Ferreira , Sabatke Bruna , Ribas Hennrique Taborda , Winnischofer Sheila Maria Brochado , Ramos Augusto Savio Peixoto , Inal Jameel Malhador , Ramirez Marcel Ivan 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionChagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, which uses blood-feeding triatomine bugs as a vector to finally infect mammalian hosts. Upon entering the host, the parasite needs to effectively evade the attack of the complement system and quickly invade cells to guarantee an infection. In order to accomplish this, T. cruzi expresses different molecules on its surface and releases extracellular vesicles (EVs).MethodsHere, we have selected a population of epimastigotes (a replicative form) from T. cruzi through two rounds of exposure to normal human serum (NHS), to reach 30% survival (2R population). This 2R population was characterized in several aspects and compared to Wild type population.ResultsThe 2R population had a favored metacyclogenesis compared with wild-type (WT) parasites. 2R metacyclic trypomastigotes had a two-fold increase in resistance to complementmediated lysis and were at least three times more infective to eukaryotic cells, probably due to a higher GP82 expression in the resistant population. Moreover, we have shown that EVs from resistant parasites can transfer the invasive phenotype to the WT population. In addition, we showed that the virulence phenotype of the selected population remains in the trypomastigote form derived from cell culture, which is more infective and also has a higher rate of release of trypomastigotes from infected cells.ConclusionsAltogether, these data indicate that it is possible to select parasites after exposure to a particular stress factor and that the phenotype of epimastigotes remained in the infective stage. Importantly, EVs seem to be an important virulence fator increasing mechanism in this context of survival and persistence in the host.
Gender-specific factors associated with hypertension among women of childbearing age: Findings from a nationwide survey in India
Authors: Chhabra Pragti , Behera Shyambhavee , Sharma Rahul , Malhotra Rajeev Kumar , Mehta Kedar , Upadhyay Kritika , Goel Sonu 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundThe association of conventional (modifiable and non-modifiable) risk factors for hypertension has already been established in the literature. However, there are other putative risk factors specific to women (early menarche, age at first childbirth, women empowerment, number of children born, hysterectomy, etc.) in the development of hypertension. This study is the first study to highlight the potential association of gender-specific factors along with other conventional risk factors and hypertension, using a nationwide sample.MethodsThe study is a secondary analysis of the data collected from the National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS-4), a nationally representative sample of 699,686 women of reproductive age in India. The interview schedule included data on general background characteristics, marriage, reproductive history, hysterectomy, knowledge, and utilization of family planning services, maternal and child care, women empowerment, non-communicable diseases, and domestic violence. The blood pressure was measured by direct observation by the study investigators using a digital blood pressure monitor. To account for disproportionate sampling and non-response, a weighted statistical analysis was performed. Logistic regression analysis was done to study the strength of the association between the risk factors and hypertension (computation of unadjusted and adjusted odds ratio).ResultsThe prevalence of hypertension was 11.8% among women. Among the conventional factors, older age, higher body mass index (BMI), tobacco use, and alcohol use had higher odds for hypertension, while higher education, higher socio-economic position, and living in urban areas had lower odds. Among the gender-specific factors, younger age at first childbirth, early menarche, oral contraceptive pill use [adjusted OR: 1.23; (1.18–1.28)], and hysterectomy [adjusted OR: 1.10; (1.05–1.69)] were found to be risk factors for hypertension. Domestic violence was significantly associated with hypertension [unadjusted OR: 1.11; (1.02–1.20)]. Empowered women had lower odds of hypertension [adjusted OR: 0.93; (0.95–1.03)].ConclusionSignificant association of these gender-specific factors among women necessitates the need for taking into account these factors while screening for hypertension among women and thus, designing a tailored model better suited to them for risk assessment.
A Mendelian randomization study to assess the genetic liability of type 1 diabetes mellitus for IgA nephropathy
Authors: Deng Peizhi , Li Zhixin , Yi Bin , Leng Yiping 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundThe prevalence of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) seems to be higher in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) than that in the general population. However, whether there exists a causal relationship between T1DM and IgAN remains unknown.MethodsThis study conducted a standard two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to assess the causal inference by four MR methods, and the inverse variance-weighted (IVW) approach was selected as the primary method. To further test the independent causal effect of T1DM on IgAN, multivariable MR (MVMR) analysis was undertaken. Sensitivity analyses incorporating multiple complementary MR methods were applied to evaluate how strong the association was and identify potential pleiotropy.ResultsMR analyses utilized 81 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for T1DM. The evidence supports a significant causal relationship between T1DM and increased risk of IgAN [odds ratio (OR): 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10–1.74 for IVW, p &lt; 0.05]. The association still exists after adjusting for triglyceride (TG), fasting insulin (FI), fasting blood glucose (FBG), homeostasis model assessment of beta-cell function (HOMA-B) and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). MVMR analysis indicated that the effect of T1DM on IgAN vanished upon accounting for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c; OR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.90–1.05, p &gt; 0.05).ConclusionsThis MR study provided evidence that T1DM may be a risk factor for the onset of IgAN, which might be driven by LDL-c. Lipid-lowering strategies targeting LDL-c should be enhanced in patients with T1DM to prevent IgAN.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue and recombinant human growth hormone treatment for idiopathic central precocious puberty in girls
Authors: Shi Yuzhen , Ma Ziyi , Yang Xi , Ying Yanqin , Luo Xiaoping , Hou Ling 
Published: December 2022

PurposeTo investigate the effectiveness and safety of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) in combination with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in girls with central precocious puberty (CPP).MethodsClinical data of 80 girls diagnosed with idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) between January 2017 and June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Treatment strategy involved GnRHa alone (group A: n=34) and GnRHa+rhGH (group B: n=46). Children’s heights (Ht), weights (Wt) and sex hormone levels were measured every 3 months after treatment and bone age (BA) every six months. Heights, growth velocity (GV), predicted adult height (PAH), weights, body mass index (BMI), sex hormone levels and bone age were compared between the two groups.ResultsChildren in group B showed greater height gain at the 12th, 24th and 30th months after treatment (p&lt;0.05) than those in group A, had faster growth rates in the first and second year following treatment (p&lt;0.05) and better PAH (p&lt;0.05). No statistical differences in weight or BMI were found between the two groups before treatment or at any time after treatment (p&gt;0.05). Levels of LH and FSH were lower in both groups after treatment with no statistical differences between groups (p&gt;0.05). The gap between bone age and chronological age gradually decreased in both groups and no abnormal progression of bone age or other adverse side effects occurred.ConclusionsThe combination of GnRHa with rhGH produced better height gains than GnRHa alone for patients with CPP. The gonadal axis was suppressed and progression of bone age delayed with good safety and efficacy.
The interactive effects of environmental gradient and dispersal shape spatial phylogenetic patterns
Authors: Jang Yun-Ting , Brännström Åke , Pontarp Mikael 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionThe emergence and maintenance of biodiversity include interacting environmental conditions, organismal adaptation to such conditions, and dispersal. To understand and quantify such ecological, evolutionary, and spatial processes, observation and interpretation of phylogenetic relatedness across space (e.g., phylogenetic beta diversity) is arguably a way forward as such patterns contain signals from all the processes listed above. However, it remains challenging to extract information about complex eco-evolutionary and spatial processes from phylogenetic patterns.MethodsWe link environmental gradients and organismal dispersal with phylogenetic beta diversity using a trait-based and eco-evolutionary model of diversification along environmental gradients. The combined effect of the environment and dispersal leads to distinct phylogenetic patterns between subsets of species and across geographical distances.Results and discussionSteep environmental gradients combined with low dispersal lead to asymmetric phylogenies, a high phylogenetic beta diversity, and the phylogenetic diversity between communities increases linearly along the environmental gradient. High dispersal combined with a less steep environmental gradient leads to symmetric phylogenies, low phylogenetic beta diversity, and the phylogenetic diversity between communities along the gradient increases in a sigmoidal form. By disentangling the eco-evolutionary mechanisms that link such interacting environment and dispersal effects and community phylogenetic patterns, our results improve understanding of biodiversity in general and help interpretation of observed phylogenetic beta diversity.
Differential expression of cyclins CCNB1 and CCNG1 is involved in the chondrocyte damage of kashin-beck disease
Authors: Setiwalidi Kaidiriye , Fu Jialei , Hei He , Nuer Shaniya , Zhang Feiyu , Chen Sijie , Liu Yanli , Chen Feihong , Li Shujin , Wang Chaowei , Wu Yifan , Gong Yi , Hu Minhan , Huang Ruitian , Liu Junyi , Zhang Tianxiao , Ning Yujie , Zhao Hongmou , Guo Xiong , Wang Xi 
Published: December 2022

The purpose of this study was clarify the relationship between the differential expression of cyclins CCNB1 and CCNG1 and chondrocyte damage in Kashin-Beck disease. Systematic review and high-throughput sequencing of chondrocytes derived from Kashin-Beck disease patients were combined to identify the differentially expressed cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinase genes. In parallel, weaned SD rats were treated with low selenium for 4 weeks and then T-2 toxin for 4 weeks. Knee cartilage was collected to harvest chondrocytes for gene expression profiling. Finally, the protein expression levels of CCNB1 and CCNG1 were verified in knee cartilage tissue of Kashin-Beck disease patients and normal controls by immunohistochemical staining. The systematic review found 52 cartilage disease-related cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinase genes, 23 of which were coexpressed in Kashin-Beck disease, including 15 upregulated and 8 downregulated genes. Under the intervention of a low selenium diet and T-2 toxin exposure, CCNB1 (FC = 0.36) and CCNG1 (FC = 0.73) showed a downward expression trend in rat articular cartilage. Furthermore, compared to normal controls, CCNB1 protein in Kashin-Beck disease articular cartilage was 71.98% and 66.27% downregulated in the superficial and middle zones, respectively, and 12.06% upregulated in the deep zone. CCNG1 protein was 45.66% downregulated in the superficial zone and 12.19% and 9.13% upregulated in the middle and deep zones, respectively. The differential expression of cyclins CCNB1 and CCNG1 may be related to articular cartilage damage in Kashin-Beck disease.
Perinatal autopsy in Ghana: Healthcare workers knowledge and attitude
Authors: Swarray-Deen Alim , Attah Dzifa A. , Sefogah Promise E. , Oduro Nana E. , Nuamah Hanson G. , Nuamah Mercy A. , Adzadi Catherine , Oppong Samuel A. 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundPerinatal mortality refers to stillbirths and early neonatal deaths. Stillbirth, the death of a foetus from 28 weeks or with a birth weight 1,000 g or above, and early neonatal deaths, the death of a new-born within 24 h of delivery, are among the most distressing global health problems, with approximately 2 million stillbirths occurring annually. Although a post-mortem examination of the stillborn baby is essential for understanding and learning the cause of stillbirth, many couples decline the procedure. Sub-Saharan Africa has one of the highest stillbirth rates in the world, yet there is a dearth of studies on post-mortem uptake from the region.AimTo explore healthcare professionals' views and perceptions of perinatal autopsy in Ghana.MethodsMixed-method approach consisted of semi-structured interviews and an electronic cross-sectional survey to evaluate the views and perceptions of healthcare professionals at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital on autopsy for stillbirths and early neonatal deaths. Descriptive quantitative data were summarised in frequencies and percentages, and statistical results and descriptions were tabulated and coded in terms of types of barriers. For the qualitative aspect, the audio-taped interviews were transcribed, themes generated, and direct quotes and descriptions were coded for all knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and practices concerning the barriers and facilitators for post-mortem.ResultsNinety-nine healthcare professionals participated. No participant had formal training regarding counselling for perinatal autopsy and 40% had “no idea” who is responsible for counselling and obtaining consent for a perinatal autopsy. Forty-four percent (44%) of the participants knew of only the “Conventional/ Full” autopsy and &lt;4% were aware of less invasive methods of performing an autopsy. Qualitative data showed healthcare worker influence, religious and financial considerations impede the implementation of perinatal autopsies. Despite the low uptake of perinatal autopsies, interviews from healthcare workers suggest acceptance rates would improve if parents knew about different options, especially less invasive procedures.ConclusionAt Ghana's largest referral centre, perinatal autopsy counselling and uptake are at extremely low levels. Most healthcare professionals have little knowledge, skills, and capacity to advise parents regarding perinatal autopsies. Training is needed to update the workforce on recommended perinatal autopsy practices.
A U-shaped association of tracheostomy timing with all-cause mortality in mechanically ventilated patients admitted to the intensive care unit: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chen Jing-Ran , Gao Hao-Ran , Yang Yan-Lin , Wang Yan , Zhou Yi-Min , Chen Guang-Qiang , Li Hong-Liang , Zhang Linlin , Zhou Jian-Xin 
Published: December 2022

ObjectivesTo evaluate the association of tracheostomy timing with all-cause mortality in patients with mechanical ventilation (MV).MethodIt’s a retrospective cohort study. Adult patients undergoing invasive MV who received tracheostomy during the same hospitalization based on the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-III (MIMIC-III) database, were selected. The primary outcome was the relationship between tracheostomy timing and 90-day all-cause mortality. A restricted cubic spline was used to analyze the potential non-linear correlation between tracheostomy timing and 90-day all-cause mortality. The secondary outcomes included free days of MV, incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), free days of analgesia/sedation in the intensive care unit (ICU), length of stay (LOS) in the ICU, LOS in hospital, in-ICU mortality, and 30-day all-cause mortality.ResultsA total of 1,209 patients were included in this study, of these, 163 (13.5%) patients underwent tracheostomy within 4 days after intubation, while 647 (53.5%) patients underwent tracheostomy more than 11 days after intubation. The tracheotomy timing showed a U-shaped relationship with all-cause mortality, patients who underwent tracheostomy between 5 and 10 days had the lowest 90-day mortality rate compared with patients who underwent tracheostomy within 4 days and after 11 days [84 (21.1%) vs. 40 (24.5%) and 206 (31.8%), P &lt; 0.001].ConclusionThe tracheotomy timing showed a U-shaped relationship with all-cause mortality, and the risk of mortality was lowest on day 8, but a causal relationship has not been demonstrated.
Oncologic impact of delay between diagnosis and radical nephroureterectomy
Authors: Wu Kuan-Hsien , Chang Chao-Hsiang , Wu Hsi-Chin , Huang Steven K. , Liu Chien-Liang , Yang Cheng-Kuang , Li Jian-Ri , Tseng Jen-Shu , Lin Wun-Rong , Yu Chih-Chin , Lo Chi-Wen , Huang Chao-Yuan , Chen Chung-Hsin , Tsai Chung-You , Cheng Pai-Yu , Jiang Yuan-Hong , Lee Yu-Khun , Chen Yung-Tai , Yeh Ting-Chun , Lin Jen-Tai , Tsai Yao-Chou , Hsueh Thomas Y. , Chiang Bing-Juin , Chiang Yi-De , Lin Wei-Yu , Jou Yeong-Chin , Pang See-Tong , Ke Hung-Lung 
Published: December 2022

PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate the oncological outcome of delayed surgical wait time from the diagnosis of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) to radical nephroureterectomy (RNU).MethodsIn this multicenter retrospective study, medical records were collected between 1988 and 2021 from 18 participating Taiwanese hospitals under the Taiwan UTUC Collaboration Group. Patients were dichotomized into the early (≤90 days) and late (&gt;90 days) surgical wait-time groups. Overall survival, disease-free survival, and bladder recurrence-free survival were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Multivariate analysis was performed using stepwise linear regression.ResultsOf the 1251 patients, 1181 (94.4%) were classifed into the early surgical wait-time group and 70 (5.6%) into the late surgical wait-time group. The median surgical wait time was 21 days, and the median follow-up was 59.5 months. Our study showed delay-time more than 90 days appeared to be associated with worse overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] 1.974, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.166−3.343, p = 0.011), and disease-free survival (HR 1.997, 95% CI 1.137−3.507, p = 0.016). This remained as an independent prognostic factor after other confounding factors were adjusted. Age, ECOG performance status, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), surgical margin, tumor location and adjuvant systemic therapy were independent prognostic factors for overall survival. Tumor location and adjuvant systemic therapy were also independent prognostic factors for disease-free survival.ConclusionsFor patients with UTUC undergoing RNU, the surgical wait time should be minimized to less than 90 days. Prolonged delay times may be associated with poor overall and disease-free survival.
Analysis of the regulatory mechanisms of prognostic immune factors in thyroid cancer
Authors: Tian Yin , Xie Tao , Sun Xue 
Published: December 2022

ObjectiveTo explore the regulatory mechanism of immune prognostic factors in thyroid cancer.MethodsBased on the TCGA database and GEO database, this study used bioinformatics methods to study the potential regulatory mechanism of thyroid cancer prognosis, analyzed the differentially expressed genes and differential miRNAs between thyroid cancer and normal paracancerous tissues by R software, and constructed lasso risk factors. The immune prognostic factors of thyroid cancer were obtained from the model, and the miRDB website was used to predict the possibility of differential miRNA target binding of the immune prognostic factors and correlation analysis was performed, and finally verified by cell experiments.ResultsThere were 1413 differentially expressed genes between thyroid cancer and normal paracancerous tissues, among which 21 immune-related genes were prognostic factors with significant differences in expression; lasso risk model obtained AKAP12, APOC1, TIMP3, ADAMTS9, ANK2, HTRA3, SYNDIG1 , ADAMTS5 and DACT1 were nine prognostic factors. A total of 58 differential miRNAs were found in thyroid cancer tissues and non-cancerous tissues. The possibility of differential miRNA targeting and binding of immune prognostic factors on the miRDB website and cell experiments was analyzed.ConclusionsThe potential miRNA regulatory mechanism of immune prognostic factors in thyroid cancer has been explored.
Executive function and effortful control—Similar and different evidence from big data analysis
Authors: Chae Soo Eun 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionThe current study explored commonalities and similarities between executive function (EF) and effortful control (EC).MethodsThe major empirical studies published between 2013 and 2022 in the World of Science (WoS) was collected. The bibliographic information was systematically analyzed.Results and discussion(1) EC is the efficiency of executive attention that incorporates inhibitory control (IC), attentional control, activation mainly related to temperament. On the other hand, EF is the efficiency of self-directed action that encompasses IC, working memory (WM), and shifting/cognitive flexibility in particular focuses on the cognitive aspect. (2) EF research has overwhelmingly outnumbered EC research (2,000 EF studies vs. 50 EC studies per year). (3) According to a co-word analysis with keyword co-occurrences, the subject of preschool students and individual differences co-occurred in EF studies. (4) EC usually occurs with working memory and early childhood. In the more detailed analysis of the articles, the EF and EC studies used younger subject groups than older subject groups. EC studies were especially likely to use subjects in early childhood. (5) The Delis–Kaplan Tests of Executive Functioning System (D-KEFS) was the most commonly used test for EF. In contrast, the EC used self-report surveys such as the Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire (ATQ). This research illustrates and discusses key findings in the EC and EF data and provides suggestions for future study directions.