bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Sodium Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors on Metabolic Parameters in Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Sinha Binayak , Ghosal Samit 
Published: February 2022

ObjectivePolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy among women of childbearing age and is associated with multiple morbidities. However, treatment for this condition is mainly applied for symptomatic relief and does not address the complex pathophysiology of this condition. This meta-analysis was conducted on the usage of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) in PCOS because this group of drugs presents an attractive strategy to address the metabolic and hormonal defects by managing the pathophysiological defects observed in this syndrome.MethodsWe included prospective trials that enrolled patients with established PCOS and compared an SGLT-2i group versus a control group with at least 2 weeks of follow-up. The standardized mean difference (SMD) was used for effect size estimation from individual studies and was pooled using the fixed effect model.ResultsWe included four trials with a pooled population of 158 patients with documented PCOS who received either an SGLT-2i or standard management. From a metabolic perspective, significant improvements were observed in the reduction in body weight (SMD: -0.68, 95% CI -1.16 to -0.19, &lt;0.01), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (SMD: -0.59, 95% CI -0.99 to -0.19, P&lt;0.01), and insulin resistance as assessed with the HOMA-IR (SMD: -0.39, 95% CI -0.76 to -0.03, P=0.03). In addition, a significant improvement was noted in dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) levels (SMD: -0.55, 95% CI -0.94 to -0.16, P&lt;0.01).ConclusionSGLT-2i use is associated with salutary outcomes of metabolic and anthropometric markers of PCOS and likely favourable hormonal effects.Clinical Trial Registration[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021268564], PROSPERO 2021 CRD42021268564.
Antibiotic Resistance in Black Sea Microbial Communities
Authors: Prekrasna Ievgeniia , Pavlovska Mariia , Dzhulai Artem , Dykyi Evgen , Alygizakis Nikiforos , Slobodnik Jaroslav 
Published: February 2022

Background: Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are considered as pollutants and are found in natural and anthropogenically impacted environments. Distribution of ARGs in marine environment poses a threat to human health turning the water body into a pool for the ARGs’ transmission.Objectives: A large-scale study of antibiotic resistance in microbial communities has been performed in the Black Sea, both in the coastal and offshore regions.Methods: The quantitative distribution of the genes responsible for the inactivation of the beta-lactam (blaCMY, blaSHV), vancomycin (vanA, vanB), macrolides (ermB) and colistin (mcr-1) was assessed with real-time quantitative PCR. Concentrations of the antibiotics belonging to the classes of beta-lactam/cephalosporin/carbapenem, macrolides and glycopeptides were determined by LC-ESI-QTOF-MS.Results: The present study revealed the distribution of antibiotic resistance genes targeting the response to all antibiotics included in our analysis at various locations across the Black Sea. According to the ARGs copy number normalized to the 16S rRNA, vanB (2 × 10−1 ± 1 × 10−1) and blaSHV (4 × 10−2 ± 1 × 10−2) were the most numerous genes, followed by blaCMY (1 × 10−2 ± 3 × 10−3) and mcr-1 (3 × 10−2 ± 2 × 10−2). The less abundant gene was ermB (1 × 10−3 ± 5 × 10−4) and vanA (1 × 10−5 ± 5 × 10−4). The mcr-1, blaCMY and blaSHV had moderate positive correlation with markers of ruminant faecal pollution. The concentration of antibiotics in seawater was below the detection limit. The abundance of all ARGs included in the study was significantly higher (p-value&lt;0.05) within the northwest coastal area when compared to the offshore stations. The results clearly indicate an alarming antibiotic resistance problem in the region and call for a regular monitoring of ARGs abundance in the Black Sea and its major freshwater tributaries.
Evidence of Warming From Long-Term Records of Climate and Permafrost in the Hinterland of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
Authors: Zhou Fujun , Yao Miaomiao , Fan Xingwen , Yin Guoan , Meng Xianglian , Lin Zhanju 
Published: February 2022

The Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) is characterized by its extreme climate and dominated by periglacial processes. Permafrost conditions vary greatly, and the recent changes on the QTP are not well known in the hinterland. Here, we examine the changes in climate and permafrost temperatures in several different regions. Climate data were obtained from three weather stations from 1957 to 2019. Annual mean air temperature (Ta) has gradually increased at .031°C/yr–.039°C/yr. Climate warming has been more rapid in the past two decades, particularly during the cold season (November to February). Precipitation has also been slowly increasing during the instrumental record. However, there is pronounced heterogeneity in the seasonal distribution of precipitation, with very little falling between October and April. Ground temperatures and active-layer thickness (ALT) have been investigated over ∼20 years at five sites representative of the hinterland of the QTP. These sites are located along the Qinghai–Tibet Highway, which crosses the permafrost zone and traverses the mountainous area and basin areas. Annual mean ground temperatures within the active layer (Tal ∼ 1 m depth) indicate recent ground warming at all sites, at rates near .05°C/yr. The ALT at five sites has been increasing steadily by 2–9 cm/yr, with an average of 4.6 cm/yr. The temperature near the permafrost table (Tps) has been increasing at .01°C/yr and .06°C/yr, with an average of .03°C/yr. Permafrost temperatures at 15 m depth (Tg) have been increasing by about .01°C/yr–.02°C/yr. The southern boundary (AD site) of the permafrost has warmed the least among the five locations. In high mountainous areas where permafrost temperatures are low (e.g., KLS site), the annual mean Tg has increased by nearly .02°C/yr. The rate of permafrost warming at a basin site (BLH), with relatively high ground temperatures, was approximately .01°C/yr. The GIPL2.0 model simulation results indicate that the annual mean permafrost temperature at 1 m depth at these sites will increase by .6°C–1.8°C in the next 100 years (to 2100) and that ALT will increase by ∼40–100 cm. We also discuss the impacts of permafrost changes on the environment and infrastructure on the QTP. This study provides useful information to understand observed and anticipated permafrost changes in this region, under different shared socioeconomic pathways, which will allow engineers to develop adaptation measures.
Association Between a TLR2 Gene Polymorphism (rs3804099) and Proteinuria in Kidney Transplantation Recipients
Authors: Fei Shuang , Gui Zeping , Feng Dengyuan , Wang Zijie , Zheng Ming , Chen Hao , Sun Li , Tao Jun , Han Zhijian , Ju Xiaobing , Gu Min , Tan Ruoyun , Li Xinli 
Published: February 2022

Background: The occurrence of proteinuria is one of the evaluation indicators of transplanted kidney damage and becomes an independent risk factor for poor prognosis after kidney transplantation. Our research sought to understand these potential associations and detect the underlying impact of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on proteinuria in kidney transplant recipients.Materials and Methods: There were 200 recipients enrolled in this study, from which blood samples were extracted for SNP mutation–related gene detection. RNA sequencing was performed in kidney tissues after kidney transplantation, and the significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed between the control group and the proteinuria group. Then, the intersection of genes with SNP mutations and DEGs was conducted to obtain the target genes. Multiple genetic models were used to investigate the relationship between SNPs and proteinuria. In addition, the effect of SNP mutation in the target gene was further validated in human renal podocytes.Results: According to the sequencing results, 26 significant SNP mutated genes and 532 DEGs were found associated with proteinuria after kidney transplantation. The intersection of SNP mutated genes and DEGs showed that the Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) gene was significantly increased in the transplanted renal tissues of patients with proteinuria after kidney transplantation, which was consistent with the results of immunohistochemical staining. Further inheritance model results confirmed that mutations at rs3804099 of the TLR2 gene had significant influence on the occurrence of proteinuria after kidney transplantation. In the in vitro validation, we found that, after the mutation of rs3804099 on the TLR2 gene, the protein expressions of podocalyxin and nephrin in podocytes were significantly decreased, while the protein expressions of desmin and apoptosis markers were significantly increased. The results of flow cytometry also showed that the mutation of rs3804099 on the TLR2 gene significantly increased the apoptotic rate of podocytes.Conclusion: Our study suggested that the mutation of rs3804099 on the TLR2 gene was significantly related to the generation of proteinuria after kidney transplantation. Our data provide insights into the prediction of proteinuria and may imply potential individualized therapy for patients after kidney transplantation.
Effects of Dietary Astragalus Polysaccharide Supplementation on the Th17/Treg Balance and the Gut Microbiota of Broiler Chickens Challenged With Necrotic Enteritis
Authors: Song Bochen , Li Peng , Yan Shaojia , Liu Yan , Gao Mingkun , Lv Huiyuan , Lv Zengpeng , Guo Yuming 
Published: February 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary astragalus polysaccharide (APS) supplementation on the immune function, gut microbiota and metabolism of broiler chickens challenged with necrotic enteritis (NE). Two hundred forty Arbor Acres broiler chicks (one day old) were randomly assigned using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement into two groups fed different levels of dietary APS (0 or 200 ppm of diet) and two disease challenge groups (control or NE challenged). The results showed that NE infection significantly increased FCR, mortality rate, Th17/Treg (Th17 cells% in blood and ileum, Th17/Treg, IL-17 and IL-17/IL-10 in blood), NO, lysozyme activity and IL-1β in blood, intestinal immune cell proportion and activity (Tc%, Treg% and monocyte phagocytic activity in ileum), intestinal inflammatory cytokines (TLR2, NF-κB, TNF-α and IL- 6) gene expression levels, and the number of Clostridium perfringens in cecum. NE infection significantly reduced body weight gain, thymus index, lymphocyte proliferation activity in blood and ileum, villus height and V/C in jejunum, Th cells% and Mucin2 gene expression in ileum. Dietary APS supplementation significantly increased body weight, feed intake, proportion of immune cells (T cells in blood and Tc, Treg in ileum), lymphocyte proliferation activity, V/C in jejunum, and ZO-1 gene expression in ileum. Dietary APS supplementation significantly reduced FCR and mortality rate, Th17/Treg, Th17%, intestinal pathology scores, intestinal inflammatory cytokine gene expression levels, and the number of Clostridium perfringens in cecum. In addition, broilers challenged with NE significantly increased Staphylococcus and Turicibacter and reduced α diversity of microbiota in ileum. Dietary APS supplementation significantly increased α diversity, Romboutsia, Halomonas, propionic acid, butyric acid, formononetin, taurine, cholic acid and equol and downregulated uric acid, L-arginine and serotonin in ileum. Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed that Romboutsia, Turicibacter, Staphylocpccus, Halomonas, Streptococcus, Escherichia-Shigella, Prevotella, uric acid, L-arginine, jerivne, sodium cholate and cholic acid were related to inflammation and Th17/Treg balance. In conclusion, APS alleviated intestinal inflammation in broilers challenged with NE probably by regulating intestinal immune, Th17/Treg balance, as well as intestinal microbiota and metabolites.
Advanced Design and Fabrication of Islamic Tile Ceramic Wall Tiles With Indonesian Batik Patterns Using Artistic CAD/CAM and 3D Printing Technology
Authors: Anggoro P. W. , Yuniarto T. , Bawono B. , Setyohadi D. B. , Felasari S. , Widyanarka O. D. W. , Tauviqirrahman M. , Jamari J. , Bayuseno A. P. 
Published: February 2022

The ceramic tile wall is a decorative element used inside restaurants, museums, hotels, aristocratic residences, and places of worship. It plays a critical role in the development of a structure with strong personality and unique qualities by providing relief patterns specific to history or era. The demand for distinctive ornamental wall ceramics that can be mass produced with precision and accuracy has been a challenge for numerous ceramic enterprises in Indonesia, which have historically relied on the skills of artistic professionals in a handmaking process. The purpose of this research was therefore to develop and apply a ceramic tile design process that integrates computer design and fabrication methods with traditional ceramic production techniques. Using the ArtCAM 2015R2 software, photos of batik and Islamic themes were effectively converted into a 2.5D computer-aided design model. Additive manufacturing technology was then used in conjunction with Objet30 Pro 3D printer to precisely produce master molds with Islamic nuances such as puzzle and floral patterns, then conventional ceramic fabrication technology was employed to produce ceramic tiles using these molds. By combining computer-aided design and rapid prototyping technologies, a variety of exact and detailed Islamic decorative ceramic wall tiles were produced with dimensional accuracies within 2.00 mm. Furthermore, the proposed approach demonstrated a 90% reduction in design-to-production time from to 10–12 months to roughly 1–1.5 months.
Association Between Ischemic Stroke and COVID-19 in China: A Population-Based Retrospective Study
Authors: Wang Minghuan , Zhang Han , He Yuqin , Qin Chuan , Liu Xingyuan , Liu Mingqian , Tang Yuhong , Li Xiaohua , Yang Guang , Tang Yingxin , Liang Gang , Xu Shabei , Wang Wei 
Published: February 2022

Background and PurposeTo investigate the effect of prior ischemic stroke on the outcomes of patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and to describe the incidence, clinical features, and risk factors of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) following COVID-19.MethodsIn this population-based retrospective study, we included all the hospitalized positive patients with COVID-19 at Wuhan City from December 29, 2019 to April 15, 2020. Clinical data were extracted from administrative datasets coordinated by the Wuhan Health Commission. The propensity score matching and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to adjust the confounding factors.ResultsThere are 36,358 patients in the final cohort, in which 1,160 (3.2%) had a prior stroke. After adjusting for available baseline characteristics, patients with prior stroke had a higher proportion of severe and critical illness and mortality. We found for the first time that the premorbid modified Rankin Scale (MRS) grouping (odds ratio [OR] = 1.796 [95% CI 1.334–2.435], p &lt; 0.001) and older age (OR = 1.905 [95% CI 1.211–3.046], p = 0.006) imparted increased risk of death. AIS following COVID-19 occurred in 124 (0.34%) cases, and patients with prior stroke had a much higher incidence of AIS (3.4%). Logistic regression analyses confirmed an association between the severity of COVID-19 with the incidence of AIS. COVID-19 patients with AIS had a significantly higher mortality compared with COVID-19 patients without stroke and AIS patients without COVID-19.ConclusionsCoronavirus disease 2019 patients with prior stroke, especially those with the higher premorbid MRS or aged, have worse clinical outcomes. Furthermore, COVID-19 increases the incidence of AIS, and the incidence is positively associated with the severity of COVID-19.
Viral Metagenomics Analysis of Rodents From Two Border Provinces Located in Northeast and Southwest China
Authors: Zhao Teng , Dang Yun-qi , Wang Ao-nan , Gao He-ting , Zhang Heng-duan , Xing Dan , Li Bo-qi , Li Yong-jiu , Liu Zhu , Li Chun-xiao 
Published: February 2022

ObjectiveWild animal pathogen surveillance will help to understand the next possible pandemic in advance. Rodents, which have close contact with humans, are generally regarded as a key factor for zoonotic disease control. Given the variation in rodent virus composition in diverse ecologies, we conducted a study on the viral infection of rodents of diverse species in different typical environments of Heilongjiang and Yunnan Provinces, located in northeastern and southwestern China, respectively.MethodsViral metagenomics sequencing and bioinformatic analysis were performed to determine the different distributions of rodent-borne viruses in typical environments of Heilongjiang and Yunnan Provinces, China. After viral culture and PCR confirmation, genomic and phylogenetic quantitative analysis was performed on the detected hantaviruses (HVs) and Beilong viruses (BeiVs).ResultsNineteen rodents from three species and 35 rodents from five species of rodents were collected from Heilongjiang and Yunnan Provinces, respectively. Although the number and number of species of rodents trapped in the northeast were fewer than those in the southwest, viruses annotated from rodents in Heilongjiang were more diverse than those in Yunnan. Rodents carried 22 virus families in Heilongjiang and 13 families in Yunnan. Sequences assembled from Rattus norvegicus were annotated to the M, L, and S segments of HV, and all were clustered within the Seoul-type hantavirus (SEOV). There were 2 (R81Q, S698T) and 4 (K153R, M168I, I279S, and R1790K) amino acid site substitutions in M and L compared with the versions in the most homologous strains. Two BeiV isolates from Rattus norvegicus were closely related to BeiV from brown rats in Hong Kong, with high bootstrap values of &gt;90% in the N segment and &gt; 95% in the L segment. They were further clustered with Tailam virus, forming a distinct group in Paramyxoviridae.ConclusionThe rodents from Heilongjiang and Yunnan located in northeast and southwest China, respectively, had different viral spectra, and only one-third (10/32) of virus families were detected in both areas. The predominant viruses were HV and BeiV in the Hantaviridae and Paramyxoviridae families, respectively. Rodent-borne viruses in the same species were similar in different geographic disparate areas owing to their similar close contact with human habitats and human activities. Additional attention should be given to the monitoring of neglected rodent-borne viruses, especially opportunistic viruses with currently low loads.
Potential Neuroprotective Role of Sugammadex: A Clinical Study on Cognitive Function Assessment in an Enhanced Recovery After Cardiac Surgery Approach and an Experimental Study
Authors: Muedra Vicente , Rodilla Vicent , Llansola Marta , Agustí Ana , Pla Clara , Canto Antolín , Hernández-Rabaza Vicente 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundPostoperative cognitive dysfunction affects the quality of recovery, particularly affecting the elderly, and poses a burden on the health system. We hypothesize that the use of sugammadex (SG) could optimize the quality of postoperative cognitive function and overall recovery through a neuroprotective effect.MethodsA pilot observational study on patients undergoing cardiac surgery with enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery (ERACS) approach, was designed to compare SG-treated (n = 14) vs. neostigmine (NG)-treated (n = 7) patients. The Postoperative Quality Recovery Scale (PQRS) was used at different times to evaluate cognitive function and overall recovery of the patients. An online survey among anesthesiologists on SG use was also performed. Additionally, an animal model study was designed to explore the effects of SG on the hippocampus.ResultsSugammadex (SG) was associated with favorable postoperative recovery in cognitive domains particularly 30 days after surgery in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement by cardiopulmonary bypass and the ERACS approach; however, it failed to demonstrate a short-term decrease in length of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay. The survey information indicated a positive appreciation of SG recovery properties. SG reverts postoperative memory deficit and induces the expression of anti-inflammatory microglial markers.ConclusionThe results show a postoperative cognitive improvement by SG treatment in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement procedure by the ERACS approach. Additionally, experimental data from an animal model of mild surgery confirm the cognitive effect of SG and suggest a potential effect over glia cells as an underlying mechanism.
Association Between Blood Biochemical Factors Contributing to Cognitive Decline and B Vitamins in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Qian Ting , Zhao Lei , Pan Xiaoli , Sang Shaoming , Xu Yangqi , Wang Changpeng , Zhong Chunjiu , Fei Guoqiang , Cheng Xiaoqin 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundMalnutrition, metabolism stress, inflammation, peripheral organs dysfunction, and B vitamins deficiency significantly contribute to the progression and mortality of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, it is unclear which blood biochemical indicators are most closely related to cognitive decline and B vitamins deficiency (thiamine, folate, vitamin B12) in patients with AD.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study of 206 AD patients recruited from six hospitals in China. Thiamine diphosphate (TDP), the bioactive form of thiamine, was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography fluoroscopy (HPLC) at a single center. Levels of biochemical indicators (except TDP) were measured by regular and standard laboratory tests in each hospital. Pearson's rank correlation analysis was used to assess relationships between B vitamins and biochemical indicators. T-test was used to compare the difference between ApoE ε4 and non-ApoE ε4 groups. Differences were considered statistically significant as P &lt; 0.05.ResultsAmong the biochemical results, in AD population, malnutrition indicators (erythrocyte, hemoglobin, serum albumin, and total protein) were most significantly associated with cognitive function, as was free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels which had been observed in previous study. Malnutrition and FT3 levels depend on age but not apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotype. Meanwhile, Among the B vitamins, TDP was the most significantly associated with malnutrition indicators and FT3.ConclusionOur results indicated that TDP reduction could be a modifiable risk factor for malnutrition and FT3 that contributed to cognitive decline in AD patients. Correcting thiamine metabolism could serve as an optional therapy target for AD treatment.