bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transcriptome Profiles of IncRNA and mRNA Highlight the Role of Ferroptosis in Chronic Neuropathic Pain With Memory Impairment
Authors: Tang Yidan , Liu Changliang , Zhu Tao , Chen Hai , Sun Yalan , Zhang Xueying , Zhao Qi , Wu Jiahui , Fei Xuejie , Ye Shixin , Chen Chan 
Published: April 2022

Background: Chronic neuropathic pain is commonly associated with memory loss, which increases the risk of dementia, lowers life quality and spending. On the other hand, the molecular processes are unknown, and effective therapies have yet to be discovered. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging potential therapeutic targets for chronic pain, but their role in chronic pain-induced memory impairment is unknown.Methods: We established a CCI-induced memory impairment rat model. To investigate and validate the gene expression alterations in the hippocampus of CCI-induced memory impairment, we used RNA-Seq, bioinformatics analysis, qRT-PCR, western blot, immunostaining, Nissl staining, and Diaminobenzidine-enhanced Perls’ stain.Results: CCI rats displayed long-term memory deficits in the Y maze and novel objective recognition tests, and chronic mechanical and thermal pain hypersensitivity in the hind paws. We found a total of 179 differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) (81 downregulated and 98 upregulated) and 191 differentially expressed long noncoding RNAs (DElncRNAs) (87 downregulated and 105 upregulated) between the hippocampus CA1 of CCI-induced memory impairment model and the sham control, using RNA-Seq expression profiles. The most enriched pathways involving oxidation and iron metabolism were explored using a route and function pathway analysis of DEmRNAs and DElncRNAs. We also discovered that ATF3 was considerably overexpressed in the hippocampal CA1 area, and gene markers of ferroptosis, such as GPX4, SLC7A11, SLC1A5, and PTGS2, were dysregulated in the CCI-induced memory impairment paradigm. Furthermore, in the hippocampus CA1 of CCI-induced memory impairment, lipid peroxidation and iron overload were considerably enhanced. Fer-1 treatment reversed ferroptosis damage of CCI with memory impairment model. Finally, in CCI-induced memory impairment, a competing RNA network analysis of DElncRNAs and DEmRNAs was performed to investigate the putative regulatory link of DElncRNAs on DEmRNAs via miRNA sponging.Conclusion: Using RNA-Seq, we created a genome-wide profile of the whole hippocampus of a rat model of CCI-induced memory impairment. In the hippocampus, pathways and function analyses revealed numerous intriguing genes and pathways involved in ferroptosis and memory impairment in response to chronic pain stress. As a result, our research may aid in the identification of potential and effective treatments for CCI-induced memory impairment.
Biomarkers of Cardiac Injury, Renal Injury, and Inflammation Are Strong Mediators of Sex-Associated Death in COVID-19
Authors: Lumish Heidi S. , Kim Eunyoung , Selvaggi Caitlin , Cao Tingyi , Gupta Aakriti , Foulkes Andrea S. , Reilly Muredach P. 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundStudies examining outcomes among individuals with COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) have consistently demonstrated that men have worse outcomes than women, with a higher incidence of myocardial injury, respiratory failure, and death. However, mechanisms of higher morbidity and mortality among men remain poorly understood. We aimed to identify mediators of the relationship between sex and COVID-19-associated mortality.MethodsPatients hospitalized at two quaternary care facilities, New York Presbyterian Hospital (CUIMC/NYPH) and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), for SARS-CoV-2 infection between February and May 2020 were included. Five independent biomarkers were identified as mediators of sex effects, including high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTNT), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), ferritin, D-dimer, and creatinine.ResultsIn the CUIMC/NYPH cohort (n = 2,626, 43% female), male sex was associated with significantly greater mortality (26 vs. 21%, p = 0.0146) and higher peak hs-cTNT, hs-CRP, ferritin, D-dimer, and creatinine (p &lt; 0.001). The effect of male sex on the primary outcome of death was partially mediated by peak values of all five biomarkers, suggesting that each pathophysiological pathway may contribute to increased risk of death in men. Hs-cTnT, creatinine, and hs-CRP were the strongest mediators. Findings were highly consistent in the MGH cohort with the exception of D-dimer.ConclusionsThis study suggests that the effect of sex on COVID-19 outcomes is mediated by cardiac and kidney injury, as well as underlying differences in inflammation and iron metabolism. Exploration of these specific pathways may facilitate sex-directed diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients with COVID-19 and provides a framework for the study of sex differences in other complex diseases.
Risk of Stroke Among Different Metabolic Obesity Phenotypes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Meng Miaomiao , Guo Yixin , Kuang Zhuoran , Liu Lingling , Cai Yefeng , Ni Xiaojia 
Published: April 2022

Background and PurposeOverweight/obesity is a modified risk factor for stroke. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the impact of different obesity phenotypes on stroke risk in adults.MethodsThe PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from their inception to 7 March 2021 to identify the prospective cohort studies investigating stroke risk among different metabolic overweight/obesity phenotypes. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model.ResultsA total of eleven prospective cohorts (n = 5,609,945 participants) were included in the systematic review, nine of which were included in the meta-analysis. All metabolically unhealthy phenotypes had a higher risk of stroke than the metabolically healthy normal-weight phenotypes, including metabolically unhealthy normal weight (HR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.41–1.89, I2 = 89.74%, n = 7 cohort studies, 1,042,542 participants), metabolically unhealthy overweight (HR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.58–2.40, I2 = 91.17%, n = 4 cohort studies, 676,166 participants), and metabolically unhealthy obese (HR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.66–2.40, I2 = 93.49%, n = 6 cohort studies, 1,035,420 participants) phenotypes. However, no risk of stroke was observed in the populations with metabolically healthy overweight (MHOW) (HR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.00–1.14, I2 = 69.50%, n = 5 studies, 4,171,943 participants) and metabolically healthy obese (MHO) (HR = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.99–1.16, I2 = 54.82%, n = 8 studies, 5,333,485 participants) phenotypes. The subgroup analyses for the MHO studies suggested that the risk of stroke increased only when the MHO participants were mainly females, from North America, and when the World Health Organization standard was applied to define obesity. In the subgroup analysis of the risk of stroke in MHOW, a longer follow-up duration was also associated with a higher risk of stroke.ConclusionThe risk of stroke increase for all metabolically unhealthy phenotypes irrespective of the body mass index (BMI). The associated risk of stroke with metabolic health but high BMI shows substantial heterogeneity, which requires future research considering the impact of sex and transition of the metabolic status on the risk of stroke.Systematic Review RegistrationThe study protocol was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (No. CRD42021251021).
Design and Analysis of a Resistive Sensor Interface With Phase Noise-Energy-Resolution Scalability for a Time-Based Resistance-to-Digital Converter
Authors: Seo Dong-Hyun , Chatterjee Baibhab , Scott Sean M. , Valentino Daniel J. , Peroulis Dimitrios , Sen Shreyas 
Published: April 2022

This article presents the design and analysis of a resistive sensor interface with three different designs of phase noise-energy-resolution scalability in time-based resistance-to-digital converters (RDCs), including test chip implementations and measurements, targeted toward either minimizing the energy/conversion step or maximizing bit-resolution. The implemented RDCs consist of a three-stage differential ring oscillator, which is current starved using the resistive sensor, a differential-to-single-ended amplifier, and digital modules and serial interface. The first RDC design (baseline) included the basic structure of time-based RDC and targeted low-energy/conversion step. The second RDC design (goal: higher-resolution) aimed to improve the rms jitter/phase noise of the oscillator with help of speed-up latches, to achieve high bit-resolution as compared to the first RDC design. The third RDC design (goal: process portability) reduced the power consumption by scaling the technology with the improved phase-noise design, achieving 1-bit better resolution as that of the second RDC design. Using time-based implementation, the RDCs exhibit energy-resolution scalability and consume a measured power of 861 nW with 18-bit resolution in design 1 in TSMC 0.35 μm technology (with 10 ms read-time, with one readout every second). Measurements of designs 2 and 3 demonstrate power consumption of 19.2 μW with 20-bit resolution using TSMC 0.35μm and 17.6 μW with 20-bit resolution using TSMC 0.18μm, respectively (both with 10 ms read-time, repeated every second). With 30 ms read-time, design 3 achieves 21-bit resolution, which is the highest resolution reported for a time-based ADC. The 0.35-μm time-based RDC is the lowest-power time-based ADC reported, while the 0.18-μm time-based RDC with speed-up latch offers the highest resolution. The active chip-area for all three designs is less than 1.1 mm2.
Thermal Management and Dynamic Performance of a Cooler Design for the Supercritical CO2 Turbine Shaft Cooling
Authors: Li Jun , Gurgenci Hal , Guan Zhiqiang , Li Jishun , Xue Yujun , Li Lun 
Published: April 2022

This paper presents the results of a numerical study on a supercritical CO2 (SCO2) turboshaft cooling device by considering heat transfer and hydrodynamics. A micro-cooling device with a radius clearance of 50 micron and a nozzle diameter of 4 mm was designed and used to investigate the heat transfer characteristics of a micro-spacing impinging and gas film dynamics. Sixteen nozzles (N = 16) are equally spaced around the shaft in single or double rows. Investigations include journal speed- and eccentricity-dependent forward and cross-coupled force coefficients, and the effects of nozzle layouts and mass flow rate on the heat transfer efficiency. Analysis of the correlation coefficient shows that the gas density in the radial clearance is the dominant factor affecting the convective heat transfer performance, while the fluid velocity is a secondary factor. And the cooling efficiency (mass flow utilization rate) at low cooling pressure (ps &lt; 0.7 MPa) is significantly greater than that at high cooling pressure (ps &gt; 0.7 MP). In addition, considering the structure alone, a dual-row cooler exhibits a higher average Nusselt number, also registers a higher mass flow rate at the same pressure. Once the shaft is heated only one end, the difference in effectiveness between single- and dual-row cooling is not significant, so coolers with a single-row configuration should be preferred. Then, experimental values for the temperature of the heated rotor are provided under specific cooling airflow conditions. Dynamic analysis results show that the force coefficient of the single-row configuration is more dependent on the journal rotation speed and eccentricity ratio, and exhibits a negative direct stiffness coefficient at higher inlet pressure and journal rotation speed. Moreover, cross-coupled terms (stiffness coefficient) generally have a more explicit variation tendency than direct terms, and are more sensitive to changes in shaft speed and eccentricity. Small clearance cooling is a relatively complex technology aimed to improve heat dissipation efficiency in gas cooling devices while minimizing the effect of hydrodynamic pressure. Comparing the gas force coefficients of different journal speeds reveals a drastic increase in the effect of hydrodynamic pressure when the journal is eccentric. The cooler may be considered for operation with compliant support (such as bump foil) to generate additional damping and appropriately compensate for the eccentricity of the rotor.
A Comparative Analysis of the Chloroplast Genomes of Four Polygonum Medicinal Plants
Authors: Guo Shuai , Liao Xuejiao , Chen Shiyu , Liao Baosheng , Guo Yiming , Cheng Ruiyang , Xiao Shuiming , Hu Haoyu , Chen Jun , Pei Jin , Chen Yangjin , Xu Jiang , Chen Shilin 
Published: April 2022

Polygonum is a generalized genus of the Polygonaceae family that includes various herbaceous plants. In order to provide aid in understanding the evolutionary and phylogenetic relationship in Polygonum at the chloroplast (cp) genome-scale level, we sequenced and annotated the complete chloroplast genomes of four Polygonum species using next-generation sequencing technology and CpGAVAS. Then, repeat sequences, IR contractions, and expansion and transformation sites of chloroplast genomes of four Polygonum species were studied, and a phylogenetic tree was built using the chloroplast genomes of Polygonum. The results indicated that the chloroplast genome construction of Polygonum also displayed characteristic four types of results, comparable to the published chloroplast genome of recorded angiosperms. The chloroplast genomes of the four Polygonum plants are highly consistent in genome size (159,015 bp–163,461 bp), number of genes (112 genes, including 78 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes), gene types, gene order, codon usage, and repeat sequence distribution, which identifies the high preservation among the Polygonum chloroplast genomes. The Polygonum phylogenetic tree was recreated by a full sequence of the chloroplast genome, which illustrates that the P. bistorta, P. orientale, and P. perfoliatum are divided into the same branch, and P. aviculare belongs to Fallopia. The precise system site of lots base parts requires further verification, but the study would provide a basis for developing the available genetic resources and evolutionary relationships of Polygonum.
Intrapleural Perfusion With Staphylococcal Enterotoxin C for Malignant Pleural Effusion: A Clustered Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Jiang Hong , Yang Xue-Mei , Wang Cheng-Qiong , Xu Jiao , Huang Jun , Feng Ji-Hong , Chen Xiao-Fan , Chen Kai , Zhan Lin , Xiao Xue , Xiao Zheng 
Published: April 2022

IntroductionThe staphylococcal enterotoxin C (SEC), a commercially available bio-product from Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), has been widely used to control MPE.ObjectivesWe designed and performed a new systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis to clarify the perfusion protocols with SEC, determine their clinical effectiveness and safety, and reveal the indication and optimum usage for achieving the desired responses.MethodologyAll randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about SEC for MPE were collected from electronic databases (from inception until July 2021), and clustered into multiple logical topics. After evaluating their methodological quality, we pooled the data from each topic using the meta-analysis or descriptive analysis, and summarized the evidence quality using the grading of recommendation assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) approach.ResultsAll 114 studies were clustered into SEC perfusion alone or plus chemical agents. The SEC alone showed a better complete response (CR), a lower pleurodesis failure, and adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and a higher fever than cisplatin (DDP) alone. The SEC and chemical agents developed 10 perfusion protocols. Among them, only SEC and DDP perfusion showed a better CR, a lower failure, disease progression and ADRs, and a higher fever than DDP alone. The SEC (100–200 ng per time, one time a week for one to four times) with DDP (30–40 mg, or 50–60 mg each time) significantly improved clinical responses for patients with moderate to large volume, Karnofsky performance status (KPS) scores ≥40, ≥50, or ≥60, and anticipated survival time (AST) ≥2 or 3 months. Most results were moderate to low quality.ConclusionCurrent pieces of evidence indicate that super-antigen SEC is a pleurodesis agent, which provides an attractive alternative to existing palliative modalities for patients with MPE. Among 10 protocols, the SEC and DDP perfusion is a most commonly used, which shows a significant improvement in clinical responses with low ADRs. These findings also provide a possible indication and optimal usage for SEC and DDP perfusion.
Molecular Epidemiology of Herpangina Children in Tongzhou District, Beijing, China, During 2019-2020
Authors: Xie Ming-Zhu , Chen Lin-Yi , Yang Yan-Na , Cui Yan , Zhang Si-Hui , Zhao Tian-Shuo , Zhang Wan-Xue , Du Juan , Cui Fu-Qiang , Lu Qing-Bin 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundThe changing pattern of pathogen spectrum causing herpangina in the time of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes on the molecular epidemiology of herpangina children during 2019-2020 in Tongzhou district, Beijing, China.MethodFrom January 2019 to December 2020, children diagnosed with herpangina were recruited by the staff from Tongzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Beijing. Viral RNA extraction from pharyngeal swabs was used for enterovirus (EV) detection and the complete VP1 gene was sequenced. The phylogenetic analysis was performed based on all VP1 sequences for EV genotypes.ResultA total of 1,331 herpangina children were identified during 2019-2020 with 1,121 in 2019 and 210 in 2020, respectively. The predominant epidemic peak of herpangina children was in summer and autumn of 2019, but not observed in 2020. Compared to the number of herpangina children reported in 2019, it decreased sharply in 2020. Among 129 samples tested in 2019, 61 (47.3%) children were detected with EV, while 22.5% (20/89) were positive in 2020. The positive rate for EV increased since June 2019, peaked at August 2019, and decreased continuously until February 2020. No cases were observed from February to July in 2020, and the positive rate of EV rebounded to previous level since August 2020. Four genotypes, including coxsackievirus A6 (CV-A6, 9.3%), CV-A4 (7.8%), CV-A10 (2.3%) and CV-A16 (10.1%), were identified in 2019, and only three genotypes, including CV-A6 (9.0%), CV-A10 (6.7%) and CV-A16 (1.1%), were identified in 2020. The phylogenetic analysis showed that all CV-A6 strains from Tongzhou located in Group C, and the predominant strains mainly located in C2-C4 subgroups during 2016-2018 and changed into C1 subgroup during 2018-2020. CV-A16 strains mainly located in Group B, which consisting of strains widely distributed around the world.ConclusionsThe predominant genotypes gradually shifted from CV-A16, CV-A4 and CV-A6 in 2019 to CV-A6 in 2020 under COVID-19 pandemic. Genotype-based surveillance will provide robust evidence and facilitate the development of public health measures.
Pathology Assessments of Multiple Organs in Fatal COVID-19 in Intensive Care Unit vs. Non-intensive Care Unit Patients
Authors: Zerbib Yoann , Guilain Nelly , Eymieux Sébastien , Uzbekov Rustem , Castelain Sandrine , Blanchard Emmanuelle , François Catherine , Chatelain Denis , Brault Clément , Maizel Julien , Roingeard Philippe , Slama Michel 
Published: April 2022

PurposeThe objective of the present study was to provide a detailed histopathological description of fatal coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19), and compare the lesions in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and non-ICU patients.MethodsIn this prospective study we included adult patients who died in hospital after presenting with confirmed COVID-19. Multiorgan biopsies were performed. Data generated with light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and RT-PCR assays were reviewed.Results20 patients were enrolled in the study and the main pulmonary finding was alveolar damage, which was focal in 11 patients and diffuse in 8 patients. Chronic fibrotic and inflammatory lesions were observed in 18 cases, with acute inflammatory lesions in 12 cases. Diffuse lesions, collapsed alveoli and dystrophic pneumocytes were more frequent in the ICU group (62.5%, vs. 25%; 63%, vs. 55%; 87.5%, vs. 54%). Acute lesions (82%, vs. 37.5%; p = 0.07) with neutrophilic alveolitis (63.6% vs. 0%, respectively; p = 0.01) were observed more frequently in the non-ICU group. Viral RNA was detected in 12 lung biopsies (60%) up to 56 days after disease upset. TEM detected viral particles in the lung and kidney biopsy samples up to 27 days after disease upset. Furthermore, abundant networks of double-membrane vesicles (DMVs, a hallmark of viral replication) were observed in proximal tubular epithelial cells.ConclusionLung injury was different in ICU and non-ICU patients. Extrapulmonary damage consisting in kidney and myocardial injury were more frequent in ICU patients. Our TEM experiments provided the first description of SARS-CoV-2-induced DMVs in kidney biopsy samples—a sign of intense viral replication in this organ.
Efficacy of Huangqi Injection in the Treatment of Hypertensive Nephropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Xu ZhongChi , Qian LiChao , Niu RuGe , Yang Ying , Liu ChunLing , Lin Xin 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundHuangqi injection (HQI) is the extract of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, which is widely used in the treatment of a variety of diseases in China. It is supposed to be an important adjuvant therapy for hypertensive nephropathy.ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of HQI combined with antihypertensive drugs in the treatment of hypertensive nephropathy.Materials and MethodsWe systematically searched China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP), Wanfang Knowledge Service Platform (WanfangData), Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM), EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane Library from their inception to April 23st, 2021. All studies were independently screened by two auditors according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Randomized controlled trials comparing HQI in combination with antihypertensive drugs vs. antihypertensive drugs alone were extracted.ResultsThe meta-analysis included 15 studies involving 1,483 participants.The effect of HQI combined with antihypertensive drugs is better than that of antihypertensive drugs alone in regulating hypertensive nephropathy for reducing 24-h urinary total protein (24 h UTP) [WMD=-0.29, 95% CI (−0.40, −0.18), P = 0.000], microalbuminuria (mALB) [WMD = −17.04, 95% CI (−23.14, −10.94), P = 0.000], serum creatinine (SCr) [WMD = −40.39, 95% CI (−70.39, −10.39), P = 0.008], systolic blood pressure (SBP) [WMD = −9.50, 95% CI (−14.64, −4.37), P = 0.000], diastolic blood pressure (DBP) [WMD = −4.588, 95% CI (−6.036, −3.140), P = 0.000], cystatin-C (Cys-c) [WMD = −0.854, 95% CI (−0.99, −0.72), P = 0.000], blood urea nitrogen (BUN) [WMD = −4.155, 95% CI (−6.152, −2.157), P = 0.000].ConclusionThe combination of HQI and antihypertensive drugs is more efficient in improving the related indexes of patients with hypertensive nephropathy than using antihypertensive drugs alone, and a moderate dose of HQI (no more than 30 mL) may benefit more. However, the quality of the methodology is low and the number of samples is small, the results need to be confirmed by more stringent randomized controlled trials.