bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Probiotics synergized with conventional regimen in managing Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Sun Hairong , Zhao Feiyan , Liu Yuanyuan , Ma Teng , Jin Hao , Quan Keyu , Leng Bing , Zhao Junwu , Yuan Xiaoling , Li Zhenguang , Li Fang , Kwok Lai-Yu , Zhang Shukun , Sun Zhihong , Zhang Jinbiao , Zhang Heping 
Published: May 2022

AbstractParkinson’s disease (PD) is mainly managed by pharmacological therapy (e.g., Benserazide and dopamine agonists). However, prolonged use of these drugs would gradually diminish their dopaminergic effect. Gut dysbiosis was observed in some patients with PD, suggesting close association between the gut microbiome and PD. Probiotics modulate the host’s gut microbiota beneficially. A 3-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to investigate the beneficial effect of probiotic co-administration in patients with PD. Eighty-two PD patients were recruited and randomly divided into probiotic [n = 48; Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Probio-M8 (Probio-M8), Benserazide, dopamine agonists] and placebo (n = 34; placebo, Benserazide, dopamine agonists) groups. Finally, 45 and 29 patients from Probio-M8 and placebo groups provided complete fecal and serum samples for further omics analysis, respectively. The results showed that Probio-M8 co-administration conferred added benefits by improving sleep quality, alleviating anxiety, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Metagenomic analysis showed that, after the intervention, there were significantly more species-level genome bins (SGBs) of Bifidobacterium animalis, Ruminococcaceae, and Lachnospira, while less Lactobacillus fermentum and Klebsiella oxytoca in Probio-M8 group (P < 0.05). Interestingly, Lactobacillus fermentum correlated positively with the scores of UPDRS-III, HAMA, HAMD-17, and negatively with MMSE. Klebsiella oxytoca correlated negatively with feces hardness. Moreover, co-administering Probio-M8 increased SGBs involved in tryptophan degradation, gamma-aminobutyric acid, short-chain fatty acids, and secondary bile acid biosynthesis, as well as serum acetic acid and dopamine levels (P < 0.05). Taken together, Probio-M8 synergized with the conventional regimen and strengthened the clinical efficacy in managing PD, accompanied by modifications of the host’s gut microbiome, gut microbial metabolic potential, and serum metabolites.
Observation of dimension-crossover of a tunable 1D Dirac fermion in topological semimetal NbSixTe2
Authors: Zhang Jing , Lv Yangyang , Feng Xiaolong , Liang Aiji , Xia Wei , Mo Sung-Kwan , Chen Cheng , Xue Jiamin , Yang Shengyuan A. , Yang Lexian , Guo Yanfeng , Chen Yanbin , Chen Yulin , Liu Zhongkai 
Published: May 2022

AbstractCondensed matter systems in low dimensions exhibit emergent physics that does not exist in three dimensions. When electrons are confined to one dimension (1D), some significant electronic states appear, such as charge density wave, spin-charge separations, and Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) topological state. However, a clear understanding of how the 1D electronic properties connects with topology is currently lacking. Here we systematically investigated the characteristic 1D Dirac fermion electronic structure originated from the metallic NbTe2 chains on the surface of the composition-tunable layered compound NbSixTe2 (x = 0.40 and 0.43) using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. We found the Dirac fermion forms a Dirac nodal line structure protected by the combined $$\widetilde {M_y}$$

M

y

̃

and time-reversal symmetry T and proves the NbSixTe2 system as a topological semimetal, in consistent with the ab-initio calculations. As x decreases, the interaction between adjacent NbTe2 chains increases and Dirac fermion goes through a dimension-crossover from 1D to 2D, as evidenced by the variation of its Fermi surface and Fermi velocity across the Brillouin zone in consistence with a Dirac SSH model. Our findings demonstrate a tunable 1D Dirac electron system, which offers a versatile platform for the exploration of intriguing 1D physics and device applications.
Prognostic significance of crown-like structures to trastuzumab response in patients with primary invasive HER2 + breast carcinoma
Authors: Birts Charles N. , Savva Constantinos , Laversin Stéphanie A. , Lefas Alicia , Krishnan Jamie , Schapira Aron , Ashton-Key Margaret , Crispin Max , Johnson Peter W. M. , Blaydes Jeremy P. , Copson Ellen , Cutress Ramsey I. , Beers Stephen A. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractObesity can initiate, promote, and maintain systemic inflammation via metabolic reprogramming of macrophages that encircle adipocytes, termed crown-like structures (CLS). In breast cancer the presence of CLS has been correlated to high body mass index (BMI), larger mammary adipocyte size and postmenopausal status. However, the prognostic significance of CLS in HER2 + breast cancer is still unknown. We investigated the prognostic significance of CLS in a cohort of 69 trastuzumab-naïve and 117 adjuvant trastuzumab-treated patients with primary HER2 + breast cancer. Immunohistochemistry of tumour blocks was performed for CLS and correlated to clinical outcomes. CLS were more commonly found at the adipose-tumour border (B-CLS) (64.8% of patients). The presence of multiple B-CLS was associated with reduced time to metastatic disease (TMD) in trastuzumab treated patients with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2but not those with BMI < 25 kg/m2. Phenotypic analysis showed the presence of CD32B + B-CLS was strongly correlated to BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2and reduced TMD in trastuzumab treated patients. Multivariable analysis suggested that CD32B + B-CLS positive tumours are associated with shorter TMD in trastuzumab-treated patients (HR 4.2 [95%CI, (1.01–17.4). This study indicates adipose-tumour border crown-like structures that are CD32B + potentially represent a biomarker for improved personalisation of treatment in HER2-overexpressed breast cancer patients.
Maternal serum proteomic profiles of pregnant women with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Gutaj Paweł , Matysiak Jan , Matuszewska Eliza , Jaskiewicz Katarzyna , Kamińska Dorota , Światły-Błaszkiewicz Agata , Szczapa Tomasz , Kalantarova Anastasia , Gajecka Marzena , Wender-Ozegowska Ewa 
Published: May 2022

AbstractDespite improvement in the care of diabetes over the years, pregnancy complicated by type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is still associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. To date, proteomics studies have been conducted to identify T1DM biomarkers in non-pregnant women, however, no studies included T1DM pregnant women. In this study serum proteomic profiling was conducted in pregnant women with T1DM in the late third trimester. Serum samples were collected from 40 women with T1DM and 38 healthy controls within 3 days before delivery at term pregnancy. Significant differences between serum proteomic patterns were revealed, showing discriminative peaks for complement C3 and C4-A, kininogen-1, and fibrinogen alpha chain. Quantification of selected discriminative proteins by ELISA kits was also performed. The serum concentration of kininogen-1 was significantly lower in women with T1DM than in controls. There were no significant differences in serum concentrations of complement C3 and complement C4-A between study groups. These data indicate that pregnant women with T1DM have a distinct proteomic profile involving proteins in the coagulation and inflammatory pathways. However, their utility as biomarkers of pregnancy complications in women with T1DM warrants further investigation.
Persistent elevation of lysophosphatidylcholine promotes radiation brain necrosis with microglial recruitment by P2RX4 activation
Authors: Kondo Natsuko , Sakurai Yoshinori , Takata Takushi , Kano Kuniyuki , Kume Kyo , Maeda Munetoshi , Takai Nobuhiko , Suzuki Shugo , Eto Fumihiro , Kikushima Kenji , Wanibuchi Hideki , Miyatake Shin-Ichi , Kajihara Takayuki , Oda Shoji , Setou Mitsutoshi , Aoki Junken , Suzuki Minoru 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBrain radiation necrosis (RN) or neurocognitive disorder is a severe adverse effect that may occur after radiation therapy for malignant brain tumors or head and neck cancers. RN accompanies inflammation which causes edema or micro-bleeding, and no fundamental treatment has been developed. In inflammation, lysophospholipids (LPLs) are produced by phospholipase A2 and function as bioactive lipids involved in sterile inflammation in atherosclerosis or brain disorders. To elucidate its underlying mechanisms, we investigated the possible associations between lysophospholipids (LPLs) and RN development in terms of microglial activation with the purinergic receptor P2X purinoceptor 4 (P2RX4). We previously developed a mouse model of RN and in this study, measured phospholipids and LPLs in the brains of RN model by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) analyses. We immune-stained microglia and the P2RX4 in the brains of RN model with time-course. We treated RN model mice with ivermectin, an allosteric modulator of P2RX4 and investigate the effect on microglial activation with P2RX4 and LPLs’ production, and resulting effects on overall survival and working memory. We revealed that LPLs (lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), lysophosphatidyl acid, lysophosphatidylserine, lysophosphatidylethanolamine, lysophosphatidylinositol, and lysophosphatidylglycerol) remained at high levels during the progression of RN with microglial accumulation, though phospholipids elevations were limited. Both microglial accumulation and activation of the P2RX4 were attenuated by ivermectin. Moreover, the elevation of all LPLs except LPC was also attenuated by ivermectin. However, there was limited prolongation of survival time and improvement of working memory disorders. Our findings suggest that uncontrollable increased LPC, even with ivermectin treatment, promoted the development of RN and working memory disorders. Therefore, LPC suppression will be essential for controlling RN and neurocognitive disorder after radiation therapy.
Learning models for forecasting hospital resource utilization for COVID-19 patients in Canada
Authors: Zhang Jianfei , Pathak Harini Sanjay , Snowdon Anne , Greiner Russell 
Published: May 2022

AbstractHospitals in Canada are facing a crisis-level shortage of critical supplies and equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. This motivates us to create predictive models that can use Canada COVID-19 data and pandemic-related factors to accurately forecast 5 quantities—three related to hospital resource utilization (i.e., the number of hospital beds, ICU beds, and ventilators that will be needed by COVID-19 patients) and two to the pandemic progress (i.e., the number of COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 deaths)—several weeks in advance. We developed a machine learning method that can use information (i.e., resource utilization, pandemic progress, population mobility, weather condition, and public policy) currently known about a region since March 2020, to learn multiple temporal convolutional network (TCN) models every week; each used for forecasting the weekly average of one of these 5 quantities in Canada (respectively, in six specific provinces) for each, in the next 1 (resp., 2,3,4) weeks. To validate the effectiveness of our method, we compared our method, versus other standard models, on the COVID-19 data and hospital resource data, on the tasks of predicting the 116 values (for Canada and its six most populated provinces), every week from Oct 2020 to July 2021, and the 20 values (only for Canada) for four specific times within 9 July to 31 Dec 2021. Experimental results show that our 4640 TCN models (each forecasting a regional target for a specific future time, on a specific date) can produce accurate 1,2,3,4-week forecasts of the utilization of every hospital resource and pandemic progress for each week from 2 Oct 2020 to 2 July 2021, as well as 80 TCN models for each of the four specified times within 9 July and 31 Dec 2021. Compared to other baseline and state-of-the-art predictive models, our TCN models yielded the best forecasts, with the lowest mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). Additional experiments, on the IHME COVID-19 data, demonstrate the effectiveness of our TCN models, in comparison with IHME forecasts. Each of our TCN models used a pre-defined set of features; we experimentally validate the effectiveness of these features by showing that these models perform better than other models that instead used other features. Overall, these experimental results demonstrate that our method can accurately forecast hospital resource utilization and pandemic progress for Canada and for each of the six provinces.
Multi-storm analysis reveals distinct zooplankton communities following freshening of the Gulf of Mexico shelf by Hurricane Harvey
Authors: Topor Z. M. , A. Genung M. , Robinson K. L. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractTropical cyclones can highly modify coastal ecosystems through interactions between their unique set of meteorological traits and an ecosystem’s antecedent conditions. As such, resultant changes to biological community structure are likely storm-specific, yet our understanding of cyclone effects on marine communities is limited compared to communities in terrestrial and freshwater habitats. Using northwestern Gulf of Mexico (NWGOM) mesozooplankton data, we tested: (1) for differences between storm and non-storm community structure and dispersion; (2) if post-storm communities varied between one another; (3) if salinity drove differences; and (4) if physical drivers of abundance and evenness varied between storm and non-storm communities. Mesozooplankton community structure following Hurricanes Harvey, Ike, Rita, and during five non-storm years were analyzed. Post-Ike, post-Rita, and non-storm communities were similar while post-Harvey communities were distinct from non-storm years. A structural equation model revealed stratification and abundance drove community evenness. Post-Harvey mesozooplankton were more abundant in low salinity waters; a pattern muted during non-storm years. NWGOM mesozooplankton community structure was generally resilient to hurricane effects, except when large changes in salinity occurred. Our findings suggest resource availability for planktivorous predators and energy transfer within coastal food webs is altered following cyclones with high precipitation rates.
Alteration in DNA-binding affinity of Wilms tumor 1 protein due to WT1 genetic variants associated with steroid - resistant nephrotic syndrome in children
Authors: Bezdicka Martin , Kaufman Filip , Krizova Ivana , Dostalkova Alzbeta , Rumlova Michaela , Seeman Tomas , Vondrak Karel , Fencl Filip , Zieg Jakub , Soucek Ondrej 
Published: May 2022

AbstractApproximately one third of children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) carry pathogenic variants in one of the many associated genes. The WT1 gene coding for the WT1 transcription factor is among the most frequently affected genes. Cases from the Czech national SRNS database were sequenced for exons 8 and 9 of the WT1 gene. Eight distinct exonic WT1 variants in nine children were found. Three children presented with isolated SRNS, while the other six manifested with additional features. To analyze the impact of WT1 genetic variants, wild type and mutant WT1 proteins were prepared and the DNA-binding affinity of these proteins to the target EGR1 sequence was measured by microscale thermophoresis. Three WT1 mutants showed significantly decreased DNA-binding affinity (p.Arg439Pro, p.His450Arg and p.Arg463Ter), another three mutants showed significantly increased binding affinity (p.Gln447Pro, p.Asp469Asn and p.His474Arg), and the two remaining mutants (p.Cys433Tyr and p.Arg467Trp) showed no change of DNA-binding affinity. The protein products of WT1 pathogenic variants had variable DNA-binding affinity, and no clear correlation with the clinical symptoms of the patients. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms of action of the distinct WT1 mutants; this could potentially lead to individualized treatment of a so far unfavourable disease.
Reliability of shear wave elastography for the assessment of gastrocnemius fascia elasticity in healthy individual
Authors: Zhou Jiping , Lin Yuyi , Zhang Jiehong , Si’tu Xingxian , Wang Ji , Pan Weiyi , Wang Yulong 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe mechanical properties of the deep fascia, particularly their stiffness, strongly affect the development of muscle pathologies (such as compartment syndrome) and the action of the muscles. However, the mechanical characteristics of the deep muscular fascia are still not clearly understood. The present study focuses on examining the reliability of ultrasonic shear wave elastography (USWE) devices in quantifying the shear modulus of the gastrocnemius fascia in healthy individuals, particularly their ability to measure the shear modulus of the deep fascia of the gastrocnemius during ankle dorsiflexion. Twenty-one healthy males (age: 21.48 ± 1.17 years) participated in the study. Using USWE, the shear moduli of the medial gastrocnemius fascia (MGF) and lateral gastrocnemius fascia (LGF) were quantified at different angles during passive lengthening. The two operators took turns measuring each subject’s MGF and LGF over a 1-h period, and operator B took an additional measurement 2 h later. For the intra-operator test, the same subjects were measured again at the same time of day 5 days later. Both the intrarater [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.846–0.965)] and interrater (ICC = 0.877–0.961) reliability values for measuring the shear moduli of the MGF and LGF were rated as excellent; the standard error of the mean (SEM) was 3.49 kPa, and the minimal detectable change (MDC) was 9.68 kPa. Regardless of the ankle angle, the shear moduli of the LGF were significantly greater than that of the MGF (p < 0.001). Significant increases in the shear moduli of both the MGF and the LGF were observed in the neutral position compared to the relaxed position. These results indicate that USWE is a reliable technique to assess the shear modulus of the gastrocnemius fascia and detect its dynamic changes during ankle dorsiflexion. USWE can be used for biomechanical studies and intervention experiments concerning the deep fascia.
Differential effects of acute and chronic antagonist and an irreversible antagonist treatment on cocaine self-administration behavior in rats
Authors: Wetzel Hanna N. , Tsibulsky Vladimir L. , Norman Andrew B. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAccording to pharmacological theory, the magnitude of an agonist-induced response is related to the number of receptors occupied. If there is a receptor reserve, when the number of receptors is altered the fractional occupancy required to maintain this set number of receptors will change. Therefore, any change in dopamine receptor number will result in a change in the concentration of cocaine required to induce the satiety response. Rats that self-administered cocaine were treated with the irreversible monoamine receptor antagonist, EEDQ, or were infused continuously for 14 days with the D1-like antagonist, SCH23390, treatments known to decrease or increase, respectively, the number of dopamine receptors with a concomitant decrease or increase in response to dopaminergic agonists. The rate of cocaine maintained self-administration increased or decreased in rats treated with EEDQ or withdrawn from chronic SCH23390 infusion, respectively. After EEDQ treatment, the effect ratio of a single dose of SCH23390 or eticlopride were unchanged, indicating that the same SCH23390- and eticlopride-sensitive receptor populations (presumably dopamine) mediated the accelerated cocaine self-administration. Changing the receptor reserve is a key determinant of the rate of cocaine self-administration because the resulting increased or decreased concentration of cocaine results in an accelerated or decelerated rate of cocaine elimination as dictated by first-order kinetics.
Sex-specific associations of comorbidome and pulmorbidome with mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: results from COSYCONET
Authors: Trudzinski Franziska C. , Jörres Rudolf A. , Alter Peter , Walter Julia , Watz Henrik , Koch Andrea , John Matthias , Lommatzsch Marek , Vogelmeier Claus F. , Kauczor Hans-Ulrich , Welte Tobias , Behr Jürgen , Tufman Amanda , Bals Robert , Herth Felix J. F. , Kahnert Kathrin ,   The COSYCONET Study Group, Andreas Stefan , Bals Robert , Behr Jürgen , Kahnert Kathrin , Bewig Burkhard , Buhl Roland , Ewert Ralf , Stubbe Beate , Ficker Joachim H. , Gogol Manfred , Grohé Christian , Hauck Rainer , Held Matthias , Jany Berthold , Henke Markus , Herth Felix , Höffken Gerd , Katus Hugo A. , Kirsten Anne-Marie , Watz Henrik , Koczulla Rembert , Kenn Klaus , Kronsbein Juliane , Kropf-Sanchen Cornelia , Lange Christoph , Zabel Peter , Pfeifer Michael , Randerath Winfried J. , Seeger Werner , Studnicka Michael , Taube Christian , Teschler Helmut , Timmermann Hartmut , Virchow J. Christian , Vogelmeier Claus , Wagner Ulrich , Welte Tobias , Wirtz Hubert 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIn patients with COPD, it has not been comprehensively assessed whether the predictive value of comorbidities for mortality differs between men and women. We therefore aimed to examine sex differences of COPD comorbidities in regard with prognosis by classifying comorbidities into a comorbidome related to extrapulmonary disorders and a pulmorbidome, referring to pulmonary disorders. The study population comprised 1044 women and 1531 men with the diagnosis of COPD from COSYCONET, among them 2175 of GOLD grades 1–4 and 400 at risk. Associations of comorbidities with mortality were studied using Cox regression analysis for men and women separately. During the follow-up (median 3.7 years) 59 women and 159 men died. In men, obesity, hypertension, coronary artery disease, liver cirrhosis, osteoporosis, kidney disease, anaemia and increased heart rate (HR) predict mortality, in women heart failure, hyperuricemia, mental disorders, kidney disease and increased HR (p < 0.05 each). Regarding the pulmorbidome, significant predictors in men were impairment in diffusion capacity and hyperinflation, in women asthma and hyperinflation. Similar results were obtained when repeating the analyses in GOLD 1–4 patients only. Gender differences should be considered in COPD risk assessment for a tailored approach towards the treatment of COPD.Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01245933.
A data plane security model of segmented routing based on SDP trust enhancement architecture
Authors: Wang Liang , Ma Hailong , Jiang Yiming , Tang Yin , Zu Shuodi , Hu Tao 
Published: May 2022

AbstractSegment routing (SR) technology is a new network functional technology derived from MPLS technology and based on SDN. Combining SR with software-defined perimeter (SDP), a new network security technology, is expected to solve the traditional problems such as data monitoring, denial of service, and new threats such as loop attack and label detection faced by SR data plane. Focusing on the security management of access devices in the SR data plane, first, this paper proposes an SR security model SbSR (SDP-based SR) based on SDP trust enhancement architecture, then, two-level SDP AH trust verification mechanism and 4 trust management mechanisms including initial trust value, trust evaluation, trust renewal, trust inheritance are designed. In the trust evaluation mechanism as the core of the model, System cloud grey model (1,1) weighted Markov prediction model is introduced to obtain real-time trust based on the historical behavior of device nodes, and 4 indexes, namely benign message ratio, loyal forwarding ratio, forwarding ratio stationarity coefficient, packet rate stationarity coefficient, are introduced to distinguish malicious devices from normal devices. Finally, the simulation test results of 5 security functions and security costs show that the proposed architecture can solve port scanning, traffic monitoring, topology detection, loop attack, and DoS attack of SR network data plane with an average access delay cost of 2.84 s for each new network agent, and realize multi-faceted protection of SR network data plane.