bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Abnormal pulmonary hemodynamics during exercise is associated with exercise capacity in COPD
Authors: Sassmann Teresa , Douschan Philipp , Foris Vasile , Tröster Natascha , Zeder Katarina , Brcic Luka , Tornyos Adrienn , Bachmaier Gerhard , Fuchsjäger Michael , Olschewski Horst , Kovacs Gabor 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a frequent complication in COPD and it is associated with decreased exercise capacity and poor prognosis. We hypothesized that even in COPD patients without significant PH at rest, abnormal pulmonary hemodynamics during exercise affect exercise capacity.

Methods
Consecutive COPD patients with clinically indicated right heart catheterization and resting mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) < 25 mmHg and age- and sex-matched controls with the same limits of pulmonary hemodynamics but no chronic lung disease who underwent clinical work-up including invasive hemodynamic assessment during exercise, were retrospectively analyzed. Chi-square tests were used to evaluate differences between groups for categorical data and Fisher’s exact test or Mann–Whitney-U-tests for continuous variables. Associations were analyzed with Spearman rank correlation tests.

Results
We included n = 26 COPD patients (female/male: 16/10, 66 ± 11 yr, FEV1: 56 ± 25%predicted) and n = 26 matched controls (FEV1: 96 ± 22%predicted). At rest, COPD patients presented with slightly increased mPAP (21 (18–23) vs. 17 (14–20) mmHg, p = 0.022), and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) [2.5 (1.9–3.0) vs. 1.9 (1.5–2.4) WU, p = 0.020] as compared to controls. During exercise, COPD patients reached significantly higher mPAP [47 (40–52) vs. 38 (32–44) mmHg, p = 0.015] and PVR [3.1 (2.2–3.7) vs. 1.7 (1.1–2.9) WU, p = 0.028] values despite lower peak exercise level [50 (50–75) vs. 100 (75–125) Watt, p = 0.002]. The mPAP/cardiac output slope was increased in COPD vs. controls [6.9 (5.5–10.9) vs. 3.7 (2.4–7.4) mmHg/L/min, p = 0.007] and negatively correlated with both peak oxygen uptake (r = − 0.46, p = 0.007) and 6-min walk distance (r = − 0.46, p = 0.001).

Conclusion
Even in the absence of significant PH at rest, COPD patients reveal characteristic abnormalities in pulmonary hemodynamics during exercise, which may represent an important exercise-limiting factor.
Exosomal LINC00460/miR-503-5p/ANLN positive feedback loop aggravates pancreatic cancer progression through regulating T cell–mediated cytotoxicity and PD-1 checkpoint
Authors: Yao Jun , Gao Ruoyu , Luo Minghan , Li Defeng , Guo Liliangzi , Yu Zichao , Xiong Feng , Wei Cheng , Wu Benhua , Xu Zhenglei , Zhang Dingguo , Wang Jianyao , Wang Lisheng 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) LINC00460 is an onco-lncRNA in a variety of cancers, including pancreatic cancer (PC). This study is aimed to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of LINC00460 in PC.

Methods
The tumor and adjacent normal tissues were collected from 73 PC patients. The expression of LINC00460, miR-503-5p, and ANLN was detected using qRT-PCR. We then analyzed the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis/cell cycle of PC cells by performing the MTT/EdU, transwell, and flow cytometry assays, respectively. The xenograft tumor model were utilized to confirm the effect of LINC00460 knockdown on PC through anti-PD-1 therapy in vivo, and the sensitivity of PANC-1 cells to the cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells in vitro. Western blotting was used to determine the protein levels. A co-culture model was utilized to explore the effects of exosomes on macrophages.

Results
LINC00460 was up-regulated in PC tissues and cells. LINC00460 knockdown suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, facilitated cell apoptosis and G0/G1 phase arrest, and inhibited the tumor growth through anti-PD-1 therapy. Both miR-503-5p down-regulation and ANLN up-regulation reversed the effects of LINC00460 knockdown on inhibiting the proliferation, migration and invasion, and on promoting the apoptosis, G0/G1 phase arrest, and the sensitivity of PC cells to the cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells. Exosomes were uptaken by the ambient PC cells. PANC-1 cells-derived exosomal LINC00460-induced M2 macrophage polarization accelerates the cell migration and invasion.

Conclusions
LINC00460 silencing attenuates the development of PC by regulating the miR-503-5p/ANLN axis and exosomal LINC00460-induced M2 macrophage polarization accelerates the migration and invasion of PANC-1 cells, thus LINC00460 may act as a possible therapeutic target for treating PC.
Triglyceride-glucose index level and variability and outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: an observational cohort study
Authors: Wang Yue , Wang Yue , Sun Shuaifeng , Liu Xinyan , Zhao Wenxin , Li Wenzheng , Suo Min , Wu Zheng , Wu Xiaofan 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
The associations between the long-term triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index level and variability and clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have not been well studied.

Methods
A total of 1,694 ACS patients with at least three postbaseline TyG index measurements within 2 years after PCI were included in the present study. The TyG index was defined as ln (fasting triglycerides [mg/dL] × fasting plasma glucose [mg/dL]/2). Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the association between baseline and mean TyG index levels and TyG index variability and the risk of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs).

Results
During the median follow-up of 31 months, the overall incidence of MACCE was 5.9%. Both high baseline and mean TyG index levels were independently associated with an increased risk of MACCEs after adjustment for multiple potential confounders (hazard ratio [HR) 1.76 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06–2.93; and HR 2.73 95% CI 1.57–4.74). Similarly, higher TyG index variability by successive variation (SD) was well related to a higher prevalence of MACCEs (HR 2.17 95% CI 1.28–3.68). In addition, the mean TyG index level showed a stronger risk prediction for MACCEs than the baseline TyG index level and TyG index-SD (AUCs 0.618 vs 0.566 vs 0.566).

Conclusions
The risk of MACCEs significantly increased with higher baseline and mean TyG index levels, as well as TyG index variability, in patients with ACS undergoing PCI. In particular, the mean TyG index level exhibited the highest predicting ability for MACCEs. Therefore, monitoring the long-term pattern of the TyG index deserves attention in clinical practice.
Chronic exposure to the star polycation (SPc) nanocarrier in the larval stage adversely impairs life history traits in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Yan Shuo , Li Na , Guo Yuankang , Chen Yao , Ji Chendong , Yin Meizhen , Shen Jie , Zhang Junzheng 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
Nanomaterials are widely used as pesticide adjuvants to increase pesticide efficiency and minimize environmental pollution. But it is increasingly recognized that nanocarrier is a double-edged sword, as nanoparticles are emerging as new environmental pollutants. This study aimed to determine the biotoxicity of a widely applied star polycation (SPc) nanocarrier using Drosophila melanogaster, the fruit fly, as an in vivo model.

Results
The lethal concentration 50 (LC50) value of SPc was identified as 2.14 g/L toward third-instar larvae and 26.33 g/L for adults. Chronic exposure to a sub lethal concentration of SPc (1 g/L) in the larval stage showed long-lasting adverse effects on key life history traits. Exposure to SPc at larval stage adversely impacted the lifespan, fertility, climbing ability as well as stresses resistance of emerged adults. RNA-sequencing analysis found that SPc resulted in aberrant expression of genes involved in metabolism, innate immunity, stress response and hormone production in the larvae. Orally administrated SPc nanoparticles were mainly accumulated in intestine cells, while systemic responses were observed.

Conclusions
These findings indicate that SPc nanoparticles are hazardous to fruit flies at multiple levels, which could help us to develop guidelines for further large-scale application.
Effect of Coenzyme Q10 and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation in assisted reproductive technology: a retrospective controlled study
Authors: Qi Shanqin , Liang Qi , Yang Lixia , Zhou Xueyuan , Chen Kun , Wen Ji 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Purpose
To investigate the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) pretreatment on pregnancy in patients with poor ovarian response (POR).

Methods
A total of 330 POR patients who were pretreated with CoQ10 or CoQ10 combined with TEAS before their in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET) cycles and who were not pretreated were selected and divided into CoQ10 group (group A, n = 110), CoQ10 + TEAS group (group B, n = 110) and control group (group C, n = 110). For patients with 2 or more transfer cycles, only the information of the first cycle was included. Ovarian function, response to gonadotropin (Gn) stimulation, and pregnancy outcomes of the three groups were compared in the IVF/ICSI-ET cycles.

Results
After pretreatment, basal FSH, total Gn dosage and duration were comparable among the three groups (all p-value > 0.05), basal E2 in group B decreased significantly compared with the control group (p = 0.022). Endometrial thickness on the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) day, antral follicle counts (AFC), the numbers of oocytes, metaphase II (MII) eggs and excellent embryos in the two pretreatment groups were significantly increased compared with group C (all p-value < 0.001), but the rates of MII oocytes, fertilization and excellent embryos had no apparent change. The endometrial thickness on the day of hCG, the numbers of MII eggs and excellent embryos in group B were higher than those in group A (p < 0.001; p = 0.020; p = 0.027; respectively). The embryo implantation rate (IR), clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and live birth rate (LBR) in group B were significantly higher than those in group C (p = 0.022; p = 0.010; p = 0.019; respectively), but not significantly different from group A.

Conclusion
CoQ10 alone or in combination with TEAS are effective methods for IVF/ICSI-ET adjuvant therapy, which can significantly improve ovarian reactivity, increase the numbers of retrieved eggs and superior embryos, and improve endometrial receptivity. Adjuvant TEAS on the basis of CoQ10 can significantly enhance pregnancy rates, but CoQ10 alone failed to present such an obvious effect.
Can successful pregnancy be achieved and predicted from patients with identified ZP mutations? A literature review
Authors: Zhou Juepu , Wang Meng , Yang Qiyu , Li Dan , Li Zhou , Hu Juan , Jin Lei , Zhu Lixia 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
In mammals, normal fertilization depends on the structural and functional integrity of the zona pellucida (ZP), which is an extracellular matrix surrounding oocytes. Mutations in ZP may affect oogenesis, fertilization and early embryonic development, which may cause female infertility.

Methods
A PubMed literature search using the keywords ‘zona pellucida’, ‘mutation’ and ‘variant’ limited to humans was performed, with the last research on June 30, 2022. The mutation types, clinical phenotypes and pregnancy outcomes were summarized and analyzed. The naive Bayes classifier was used to predict clinical pregnancy outcomes for patients with ZP mutations.

Results
A total of 29 publications were included in the final analysis. Sixty-nine mutations of the ZP genes were reported in 87 patients with different clinical phenotypes, including empty follicle syndrome (EFS), ZP-free oocytes (ZFO), ZP-thin oocytes (ZTO), degenerated and immature oocytes. The phenotypes of patients were influenced by the types and location of the mutations. The most common effects of ZP mutations are protein truncation and dysfunction. Three patients with ZP1 mutations, two with ZP2 mutations, and three with ZP4 mutations had successful pregnancies through Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) from ZFO or ZTO. A prediction model of pregnancy outcome in patients with ZP mutation was constructed to assess the chance of pregnancy with the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.898. The normalized confusion matrix showed the true positive rate was 1.00 and the true negative rate was 0.38.

Conclusion
Phenotypes in patients with ZP mutations might be associated with mutation sites or the degree of protein dysfunction. Successful pregnancy outcomes could be achieved in some patients with identified ZP mutations. Clinical pregnancy prediction model based on ZP mutations and clinical characteristics will be helpful to precisely evaluate pregnancy chance and provide references and guidance for the clinical treatment of relevant patients.
Standard dosing of enoxaparin versus unfractionated heparin in critically ill patient with COVID-19: a multicenter propensity-score matched study
Authors: Al Sulaiman Khalid , Aljuhani Ohoud , Korayem Ghazwa B. , Hafiz Awatif , Alalawi Mai , Badreldin Hisham A. , Altebainawi Ali F. , Vishwakarma Ramesh , Alissa Abdulrahman , Alghamdi Albandari , Alenazi Abeer A. , Al Enazi Huda , Alanazi Shahad , Alhammad Abdullah , Alghamdi Jahad , AlFaifi Mashael , Al Sehli Faisal A. , Aldossari Maram A. , Alhubaishi Alaa A. , Al-Ali Anfal Y. , Al-Dorzi Hasan M. 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
Thrombotic events are common in critically ill patients with COVID-19 and have been linked with COVID-19- induced hyperinflammatory state. In addition to anticoagulant effects, heparin and its derivatives have various anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties that may affect patient outcomes. This study compared the effectiveness and safety of prophylactic standard-doses of enoxaparin and unfractionated heparin (UFH) in critically ill patients with COVID-19.

Methods
A multicenter, retrospective cohort study included critically ill adult patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU between March 2020 and July 2021. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the type of pharmacological VTE thromboprophylaxis given in fixed doses (Enoxaparin 40 mg SQ every 24 hours versus UFH 5000 Units SQ every 8 hours) throughout their ICU stay. The primary endpoint was all cases of thrombosis. Other endpoints were considered secondary. Propensity score (PS) matching was used to match patients (1:1 ratio) between the two groups based on the predefined criteria. Multivariable logistic, Cox proportional hazards, and negative binomial regression analysis were used as appropriate.

Results
A total of 306 patients were eligible based on the eligibility criteria; 130 patients were included after PS matching (1:1 ratio). Patients who received UFH compared to enoxaparin had higher all thrombosis events at crude analysis (18.3% vs. 4.6%; p-value = 0.02 as well in logistic regression analysis (OR: 4.10 (1.05, 15.93); p-value = 0.04). Although there were no significant differences in all bleeding cases and major bleeding between the two groups (OR: 0.40 (0.07, 2.29); p-value = 0.31 and OR: 1.10 (0.14, 8.56); p-value = 0.93, respectively); however, blood transfusion requirement was higher in the UFH group but did not reach statistical significance (OR: 2.98 (0.85, 10.39); p-value = 0.09). The 30-day and in-hospital mortality were similar between the two groups at Cox hazards regression analysis. In contrast, hospital LOS was longer in the UFH group; however, it did not reach the statistically significant difference (beta coefficient: 0.22; 95% CI: -0.03, 0.48; p-value = 0.09).

Conclusion
Prophylactic enoxaparin use in critically ill patients with COVID-19 may significantly reduce all thrombosis cases with similar bleeding risk compared to UFH.
Neuromedin U secreted by colorectal cancer cells promotes a tumour-supporting microenvironment
Authors: Przygodzka Patrycja , Soboska Kamila , Sochacka Ewelina , Pacholczyk Marcin , Braun Marcin , Kassassir Hassan , Papiewska-Pająk Izabela , Kielbik Michal , Boncela Joanna 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
Neuromedin U (NMU) was identified as one of the hub genes closely related to colorectal cancer (CRC) progression and was recently shown to be a motility inducer in CRC cells. Its autocrine signalling through specific receptors increases cancer cell migration and invasiveness. Because of insufficient knowledge concerning NMU accessibility and action in the tumour microenvironment, its role in CRC remains poorly understood and its potential as a therapeutic target is still difficult to define.

Methods
NMU expression in CRC tissue was detected by IHC. Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas were used to analyse gene expression in CRC. mRNA and protein expression was detected by real-time PCR, immunoblotting or immunofluorescence staining and analysed using confocal microscopy or flow cytometry. Proteome Profiler was used to detect changes in the profiles of cytokines released by cells constituting tumour microenvironment after NMU treatment. NMU receptor activity was monitored by detecting ERK1/2 activation. Transwell cell migration, wound healing assay and microtube formation assay were used to evaluate the effects of NMU on the migration of cancer cells, human macrophages and endothelial cells.

Results
Our current study showed increased NMU levels in human CRC when compared to normal adjacent tissue. We detected a correlation between high NMUR1 expression and shorter overall survival of patients with CRC. We identified NMUR1 expression on macrophages, endothelial cells, platelets, and NMUR1 presence in platelet microparticles. We confirmed ERK1/2 activation by treatment of macrophages and endothelial cells with NMU, which induced pro-metastatic phenotypes of analysed cells and changed their secretome. Finally, we showed that NMU-stimulated macrophages increased the migratory potential of CRC cells.

Conclusions
We propose that NMU is involved in the modulation and promotion of the pro-metastatic tumour microenvironment in CRC through the activation of cancer cells and other tumour niche cells, macrophages and endothelial cells.
Development of a risk prediction model for bloodstream infection in patients with fever of unknown origin
Authors: Xu Teng , Wu Shi , Li Jingwen , Wang Li , Huang Haihui 
Published: December 2022

AbstractBackgroundBloodstream infection (BSI) is a significant cause of mortality among patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO). Inappropriate empiric antimicrobial therapy increases difficulty in BSI diagnosis and treatment. Knowing the risk of BSI at early stage may help improve clinical outcomes and reduce antibiotic overuse.MethodsWe constructed a multivariate prediction model based on clinical features and serum inflammatory markers using a cohort of FUO patients over a 5-year period by Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) and logistic regression.ResultsAmong 712 FUO patients, BSI was confirmed in 55 patients. Five independent predictors available within 24 h after admission for BSI were identified: presence of diabetes mellitus, chills, C-reactive protein level of 50–100 mg/L, procalcitonin > 0.3 ng/mL, neutrophil percentage > 75%. A predictive score incorporating these 5 variables has adequate concordance with an area under the curve of 0.85. The model showed low positive predictive value (22.6%), but excellent negative predictive value (97.4%) for predicting the risk of BSI. The risk of BSI reduced to 2.0% in FUO patients if score < 1.5.ConclusionsA simple tool based on 5 variables is useful for timely ruling out the individuals at low risk of BSI in FUO population.
Under pressure: design and validation of a pressure-sensitive insole for ankle plantar flexion biofeedback during neuromuscular gait training
Authors: Conner Benjamin C. , Fang Ying , Lerner Zachary F. 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
Electromyography (EMG)-based audiovisual biofeedback systems, developed and tested in research settings to train neuromuscular control in patient populations such as cerebral palsy (CP), have inherent implementation obstacles that may limit their translation to clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to design and validate an alternative, plantar pressure-based biofeedback system for improving ankle plantar flexor recruitment during walking in individuals with CP.

Methods
Eight individuals with CP (11–18 years old) were recruited to test both an EMG-based and a plantar pressure-based biofeedback system while walking. Ankle plantar flexor muscle recruitment, co-contraction at the ankle, and lower limb kinematics were compared between the two systems and relative to baseline walking.

Results
Relative to baseline walking, both biofeedback systems yielded significant increases in mean soleus (43–58%, p < 0.05), and mean (68–70%, p < 0.05) and peak (71–82%, p < 0.05) medial gastrocnemius activation, with no differences between the two systems and strong relationships for all primary outcome variables (R = 0.89–0.94). Ankle co-contraction significantly increased relative to baseline only with the EMG-based system (52%, p = 0.03).

Conclusion
These findings support future research on functional training with this simple, low-cost biofeedback modality.
Information-theoretic secure rational secret sharing in asynchronous networks for untrusted cloud environments
Authors: Hsu Chingfang , Harn Lein , Xia Zhe , Bai Linyan , Zhang Ze 
Published: December 2022

AbstractToday, cloud storage services increased the popular for data storage in the cloud and retrieve from any location without any time limitations. One of the most important demands required in cloud is secured data transmission in un-trusted cloud applications. Particularly, secure and efficient multiparty communications in Untrusted Cloud Environments (UCE) attract widespread attentions. The equipment used in UCE have the particularity of being heterogeneous and UCE communication environment are asynchronous networks in which multiple users cannot transmit their messages simultaneously. How to ensure secure communication between these heterogeneous intelligent devices is a major challenge for multiparty communication applied in UCE. In such an asynchronous environment, the asynchronous transmission can cause security problems in cryptographic functions. Therefore, how to implement rational secret sharing (RSS) in an asynchronous model of the UCE networks has become a burning research topic. The RSS refers to finding a solution composed of strategies to encourage players in the secret reconstruction to act honestly even players are rational to act for their own interest. If each player plays the game for the best response to the best response of other players, the game is in Nash equilibrium. The objective of an RSS is to achieve the Nash equilibrium state corresponding to the global optima. In this paper, we propose an information-theoretic secure RSS in asynchronous model for UCE. Our design uses Petersen’s VSS to allow every player to divide his share into multiple pieces for other players. Then, shares can be revealed asynchronously. If any player acts maliciously, his share can be recovered by other players. This feature can encourage players to act honestly since any malicious action (i.e., either revealing a fake share or refusing to release one) is useless. Our scheme is practically valuable for secure group-oriented applications in UCE.