bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Voluntary wheel running alters markers of amyloid-beta precursor protein processing in an ovarian hormone depleted model
Authors: Mohammad Ahmad , Finch Michael S. , Sweezey-Munroe Jacob , MacPherson Rebecca E. K. 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionAberrant cleavage of the transmembrane protein, amyloid-beta precursor protein (ABPP), results in the overproduction of amyloid-beta (AB) peptides which can form senile plaques in the brain. These plaques can get lodged within synapses and disrupt neuronal communication ultimately leading to rampant neuron death. The rate-limiting enzyme in AB production is beta-site ABPP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1). In females, estrogen loss is associated with increases in AB and BACE1 content and activity. Exercise is known to have anti-amyloidogenic effects and may be able to alter BACE1 in cases of ovarian hormone depletion. This study aimed to examine the effects of physical activity on BACE1 in intact and ovariectomized female mice.MethodsFemale C57BL/6 mice (24 weeks old) underwent bilateral ovariectomy (OVX; n=20) or SHAM surgery (SHAM; n=20). Mice were assigned to one of four groups (n=10/group) for 8 weeks: (1) sham (SHAM), (2) sham with a wheel (SHAM VWR), (3) ovariectomized (OVX), or (4) ovariectomized with a wheel (OVX VWR).ResultsNovel object recognition testing demonstrated that OVX mice had a lower percentage of novel object investigation time compared to SHAM. OVX mice also had higher prefrontal cortex BACE1 activity compared to SHAM (p&lt;0.0001), while the OVX+VWR activity was not different from SHAM.DiscussionsOur results demonstrate that voluntary wheel running in an ovariectomized model prevented increases in BACE1 activity, maintained memory recall, and may provide a method of slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Systemic immune-inflammation index is associated with diabetic kidney disease in Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: Evidence from NHANES 2011-2018
Authors: Guo Wencong , Song Yancheng , Sun Yan , Du Huasheng , Cai Yan , You Qingqing , Fu Haixia , Shao Leping 
Published: December 2022

ObjectiveDiabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the most common chronic kidney disease (CKD) and has the highest prevalence of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) globally, owing mostly to the rise in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) correlated with obesity. Current research suggested that the immune response and inflammation may play a role in the pathophysiology of T2DM. The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) is a novel and integrated inflammatory biomarker that has not yet been linked to DKD. We aimed to identify the potential relationship between SII and DKD.MethodsIn the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2011 and 2018, the current cross-sectional study was conducted among adults with T2DM. SII was calculated as the platelet count × neutrophil count/lymphocyte count. DKD was diagnosed with impaired glomerular filtration rate (&lt; 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 assessed by using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration algorithm), albuminuria (urine albumin to creatinine ratio ≥ 30 mg/g), or both in T2DM patients. To investigate the independent association between SII and DKD, weighted univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses and subgroup analyses were performed.ResultsThe study involved 3937 patients in total, of whom 1510 (38.4%) had DKD for the diagnosis. After adjustment for covariates, multivariable logistic regression revealed that a high SII level was associated with increased likelihood of DKD (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.10-1.83, P = 0.01). Subgroup analyses and interaction tests revealed that age, gender, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), body mass index (BMI), hypertension, hyperlipidemia, anti-inflammation therapy (yes or no), metformin use (yes or no), and insulin use (yes or no) had no significant dependence on this positive relationship (all p for interaction &gt;0.05).ConclusionsOur results indicate that the higher SII level is associated with DKD in T2DM patients. The SII could be a cost-effective and straightforward approach to detecting DKD. This needs to be verified in further prospective investigations.
Metabolic syndrome and metastatic prostate cancer correlation study, a real-world study in a prostate cancer clinical research center, Xinjiang, China
Authors: An Hengqing , Ma Dongsheng , Mei Yujie , Wang Lulu , Maimaitiyiming Abudukeyoumu , Zhuo Tao , Aihaiti Renaguli , Bu Ke , Huang Xin , Zhang Kaige , Yao Miao , Ling Chenyang , Li Weizun , Tao Ning 
Published: December 2022

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the relevance of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and metabolic scores to the occurrence, progression and prognosis of metastatic prostate cancer (mPCA), assessing the definition of the variables of metabolic syndrome, and the potential mechanisms of MetS and mPCA.MethodsData were obtained from the database of prostate cancer follow-up at the Urology Centre of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University (N=1303). After screening by inclusion and exclusion criteria, clinical data of 190 patients diagnosed with mPCA by pathology and imaging from January 2010 to August 2021 were finally included, including 111 cases in the MetS group and 79 cases in the Non-MetS group.ResultsThe MetS group was higher than the Non-MetS group: T stage, Gleasson score, initial PSA, tumor load, PSA after 7 months of ADT (P&lt;0.05),with a shorter time to progression to CRPC stage(P&lt;0.05)[where the time to progression to CRPC was relatively shorter in the high metabolic score subgroup of the MetS group than in the low subgroup (P&lt;0.05)].Median survival time was significantly shorter in the MetS group than in the Non-MetS group (P&lt;0.05),and there was a correlation with metabolic score, with the higher metabolic score subgroup having a lower survival time than the lower metabolic score subgroup (P&lt;0.05).ConclusionThose with mPCA combined with MetS had lower PSA remission rates, more aggressive tumors, shorter time to progression to CRPC and shorter median survival times than those with mPCA without MetS.Tumour progression and metabolic score showed a positive correlation, predicting that MetS may promote the progression of mPCA, suggesting that MetS may be a risk factor affecting the prognosis of mPCA.
Diet and disturbance: Seaside Sparrow resource use driven by oiling and Hurricane Isaac
Authors: Snider Allison M. , Bonisoli-Alquati Andrea , Pérez-Umphrey Anna A. , Woltmann Stefan , Stouffer Philip C , Taylor Sabrina S. 
Published: December 2022

The 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) disaster led to extensive oil deposition in Louisiana’s coastal wetlands, followed two years later by Hurricane Isaac. These disturbances led to changes in saltmarsh invertebrate communities, potentially affecting higher-level predators and the saltmarsh food web. Seaside Sparrows (Ammospiza maritima) are ubiquitous, year-round residents of the coastal saltmarsh affected by the DWH spill, where they consume diverse invertebrates and may be considered an indicator species for the ecosystem’s integrity. We used DNA metabarcoding to evaluate prey consumed by Seaside Sparrows to understand how sparrows responded to residual contamination from the DWH oil spill and ecosystem disturbance caused by Hurricane Isaac. To do so, we evaluated metrics of diet (prey richness, diversity, overall diet composition) and resource use (total niche width, individual specialization) from 2011 to 2017 on oiled, unoiled, and reference sites. We found that while diet composition varied across years and site type, Hurricane Isaac had an even greater effect on the richness and diversity of prey consumed. Resource use—as measured by the total niche width of the populations and degree of individual specialization—was most stable on unoiled sites compared to unoiled and reference sites. Finally, we analyzed resource use for each combination of site type and year (i.e.: “2014 oiled sites”), which indicated a strong correlation between individual specialization and total niche width: as total niche width increased, individuals became more specialized, following the predictions of the Niche Variation Hypothesis.
Transcriptomic changes underlying glucocorticoid-induced suppression of milk production by dairy cows
Authors: Sadovnikova Anna , Garcia Sergio C. , Trott Josephine F. , Mathews Alice T. , Britton Monica T. , Durbin-Johnson Blythe P. , Hovey Russell C. 
Published: December 2022

Milk production by dairy cows is sensitive to increased levels of stress hormones such as glucocorticoids (GC) that also regulate the transcription of several genes required for milk synthesis. Whereas previous studies identified that an exogenous GC such as dexamethasone (DEX) transiently suppresses milk yield in several species without any pronounced effect on milk protein or fat percentage, the mechanism underlying this effect has not been established. In this study we sought to establish changes within the mammary glands of non-pregnant dairy cows in their second lactation (n = 3–4; 648–838 kg) following a single dose of exogenous DEX. Changes in the udder were monitored by serial biopsy of alternating quarters, concurrent with quarter-level monitoring of milk yield and composition. Dexamethasone increased serum glucose levels from 12–36 h (p &lt;0 .05), reduced milk yield from 12–48 h (p &lt;0 .05), increased % milk protein content at 24 h post-DEX, and transiently decreased both milk lactose and α-lactalbumin content, while not altering the level of milk fat. After 72 h, all aspects of milk production had returned to pre-treatment levels. Transcriptomic changes in the mammary glands in response to DEX were identified by RNA sequencing followed by differential gene expression analysis. Coincident with the milk yield and composition changes was the differential expression of 519 and 320 genes at 12 and 24 h after DEX (adjusted p &lt;0 .05), respectively, with the return of all gene expression to baseline levels by 72 h. Among the transcriptomic changes in response to DEX, there was notable downregulation of elements in the lactose synthesis pathway, specifically AQP3, GALE and LALBA (α-lactalbumin) at 12 h, and sustained downregulation of LALBA at 24 h. One gene in the pathway, UGP2, was upregulated at 12–24 h post-DEX. This work supports the hypothesis that there is a direct relationship between the response to DEX and the concurrent suppression of milk yield due to the reduced synthesis of α-lactalbumin and lactose by the mammary epithelium. The ability of glucocorticoids to modulate the homeorrhetic requirements for glucose during stressful states concurrent with immune activation bears significance for dairy animals as well as a broad range of lactating mammals.
Establishment of an efficient regeneration and Agrobacterium transformation system in mature embryos of calla lily (Zantedeschia spp.)
Authors: Sun Xuan , Wang Yi , Yang Tuo , Wang Xue , Wang Huanxiao , Wang Di , Liu Hongyan , Wang Xian , Zhang Guojun , Wei Zunzheng 
Published: December 2022

Calla lily (Zantedeschia spp.) have great aesthetic value due to their spathe-like appearance and richness of coloration. However, embryonic callus regeneration is absent from its current regeneration mechanism. As a result, constructing an adequate and stable genetic transformation system is hampered, severely hindering breeding efforts. In this research, the callus induction effectiveness of calla lily seed embryos of various maturities was evaluated. The findings indicated that mature seed embryos were more suitable for in vitro regeneration. Using orthogonal design experiments, the primary elements influencing in vitro regeneration, such as plant growth regulators, genotypes, and nanoscale materials, which was emergent uses for in vitro regeneration, were investigated. The findings indicated that MS supplemented with 6-BA 2 mg/L and NAA 0.1 mg/L was the optimal medium for callus induction (CIM); the germination medium (GM) was MS supplemented with 6-BA 2 mg/L NAA 0.2 mg/L and 1 mg/L CNTs, and the rooting medium (RM) was MS supplemented with 6-BA 2 mg/L NAA 0.7 mg/L and 2 mg/L CNTs. This allowed us to verify, in principle, that the Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation system operates under optimal circumstances using the GUS reporter gene. Here, we developed a seed embryo-based genetic transformation regeneration system, which set the stage for future attempts to create new calla lily varieties.
Circulating methylation level of HTR2A is associated with inflammation and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Zhao Jianan , Xu Lingxia , Chang Cen , Jiang Ping , Wei Kai , Shi Yiming , Xu Linshuai , Zheng Yixin , Shan Yu , Bian Yanqin , Li Li , Guo Shicheng , Schrodi Steven J. , Wang Rongsheng , He Dongyi 
Published: December 2022

ObjectivesHTR2A is previously identified as a susceptibility gene for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we performed the association analysis between DNA methylation of HTR2A with RA within peripheral blood samples.MethodsWe enrolled peripheral blood samples from 235 patients with RA, 30 osteoarthritis (OA) patients, and 30 healthy controls. The DNA methylation levels of about 218 bp from chr13: 46898190 to chr13: 46897973 (GRCh38/hg38) around HTR2A cg15692052 from patients were analyzed by targeted methylation sequencing.ResultsWe measured methylation status for 7 CpGs in the promoter region of HTR2A and obseved overall methylation status are signficantly increased in RA compared with normal inviduals (FDR= 9.05 x 10-5). The average cg15692052 methylation levels (methylation score) showed a positive correlation with CRP (r=0.15, P=0.023). Compared with the OA group or HC group, the proportion of haplotypes CCCCCCC (FDR=0.02 and 2.81 x 10-6) is signficantly increased while TTTTTCC (FDR =0.01) and TTTTTTT(FDR =6.92 x 10-3) are significantly decreased in RA. We find methylation haplotypes combining with RF and CCP could signficantly enhance the performance of the diagnosing RA and its comorbidities (hypertension, interstitial lung disease, and osteoporosis), especially in interstitial lung disease.ConclusionsIn our study, we found signficant hypermethylation of promoter region of HTR2A which indicates the potential clinical diagnostic role in rheumatoid arthritis.
Phase field simulation of microstructure evolution and process optimization during homogenization of additively manufactured Inconel 718 alloy
Authors: Chen Miaomiao , Du Qiang , Shi Renhai , Fu Huadong , Liu Zhuangzhuang , Xie Jianxin 
Published: December 2022

An in-depth and integral understanding of the microstructural evolution during thermomechanical process (TMP) is of great significance to optimize the manufactural process for high-quality components via additive manufacturing. The solidified microstructure model of Inconel 718 alloy fabricated via laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) is established by multiphase field model firstly. Furthermore, the microstructural evolution during homogenization process is simulated and optimized in this study. Phase field simulation results show that the concentration gradient of Nb along the radius of the cellular substructure decreases from the initial 1.217 wt% to 0.001 wt%, and 67% area fraction of the Laves phase dissolves at the homogenization time of 0.5 h, which have achieved the homogenization purpose. The experimental results show that the average grain size decreases from 9.4 μm to 5.9 μm at the homogenization time from 1.5 h (the standard AMS 5383) to 0.5 h, which resulted in the increase of yield strength and tensile strength of the aged alloy by 14% and 6%, respectively. This research can provide guidance and reference for the microstructural control as well as the TMP parameters design of the additive manufactured alloys.
Circulating plasma IL-13 and periostin are dysregulated type 2 inflammatory biomarkers in prurigo nodularis: A cluster analysis
Authors: Parthasarathy Varsha , Cravero Karen , Deng Junwen , Sun Zhe , Engle Sarah M. , Auxier Autum N. , Hahn Nathan , Sims Jonathan T. , Okragly Angela J. , Alphonse Martin P. , Kwatra Shawn G. 
Published: December 2022

ImportancePrurigo nodularis (PN) is a chronic heterogeneous inflammatory skin disease.ObjectiveTo elucidate which components of type 2 inflammation are dysregulated systemically in PN.DesignWhole blood was obtained from PN patients with uncontrolled disease and control patients without pruritus. Plasma was assayed for IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IgE, and periostin. ANOVA was utilized to compare PN and control patients and multiple-hypothesis adjusted p-value was calculated with the significance threshold at 0.05. Clustering was performed using K-means clustering.ParticipantsPN patients (n = 29) and controls (n = 18) from Johns Hopkins Dermatology had similar age sex, and race distributions.ResultsSingle-plex assays of the biomarkers demonstrated elevated circulating plasma IL-13 (0.13 vs. 0.006 pg/mL, p = 0.0008) and periostin (80.3 vs. 60.2 ng/mL, p = 0.012) in PN compared to controls. IL-4 (0.11 vs. 0.02 pg/mL, p = 0.30) and IL-5 (0.75 vs. 0.40 pg/mL, p = 0.10) were not significantly elevated, while IgE approached significance (1202.0 vs. 432.7 ng/mL, p = 0.08). Clustering of PN and control patients together revealed two clusters. Cluster 1 (n = 36) consisted of 18 PN patients and 18 controls. Cluster 2 (n = 11) consisted entirely of PN patients (p &lt; 0.01). Cluster 2 had higher levels of IL-13 (0.33 vs. 0.008 pg/mL, p = 0.0001) and IL-5 (1.22 vs. 0.43 pg/mL, p = 0.03) compared to cluster 1.Conclusion and relevanceThis study demonstrates elevation of IL-13 and periostin in the blood of PN patients, with distinct clusters with varying degrees of type 2 inflammation. Given this heterogeneity, future precision medicine approaches should be explored in the management of PN.
Clinical and biochemical characteristics of people experiencing post-coronavirus disease 2019-related symptoms: A prospective follow-up investigation
Authors: Alfadda Assim A. , Rafiullah Mohamed , Alkhowaiter Mohammad , Alotaibi Naif , Alzahrani Musa , Binkhamis Khalifa , Siddiqui Khalid , Youssef Amira , Altalhi Haifa , Almaghlouth Ibrahim , Alarifi Mohammed , Albanyan Saleh , Alosaimi Mohammed F. , Isnani Arthur , Nawaz Shaik Sarfaraz , Alayed Khalid 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundPost-acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) syndrome, also known as long COVID, is a prolonged illness after the acute phase of COVID-19. Hospitalized patients were known to have persisting symptoms of fatigue, headache, dyspnea, and anosmia. There is a need to describe the characteristics of individuals with post-COVID-19 symptoms in comparison to the baseline characteristics.PurposeTo investigate the clinical and biochemical characteristics of people who recovered from COVID-19 after 6 months of discharge from the hospital.MethodsThis was a prospective follow-up investigation of hospitalized and discharged COVID-19 patients. Adult patients admitted to King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and discharged were recruited. The baseline demographic information, comorbidities, vital signs and symptoms, laboratory parameters, COVID-19 therapy, and outcomes were collected from the medical records. Blood samples were collected for cytokines estimation. A detailed interview about signs and symptoms was undertaken during the follow-up.ResultsHalf of the followed-up people reported experiencing at least one of the COVID-19-related symptoms. The mean blood pressure was found higher in follow-up. People with the symptoms were characterized by low lymphocyte count, lower serum calcium levels, and hyperglycemia compared to people without any post-COVID-19 symptoms. Cytokines IL-8, VEGF, and MCP-1 were higher in people with the most frequent symptoms.ConclusionPeople with post-COVID-19 symptoms were characterized by lower lymphocyte count, lower serum calcium levels, and hyperglycemia compared to people without symptoms. Individuals with the most frequent post-COVID-19 symptoms had higher baseline pro-inflammatory, chemotactic, and angiogenic cytokines.
Letrozole as premedication of high intensity focused ultrasound treatment of uterine fibroids: A retrospective observation study
Authors: Chen Wei-Chun , Hsu Chia-Chen , Huang Huei-Jean , Cheng Wei-Jen , Chang Ting-Chang , Chou Hung-Hsueh 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundNo reports on Letrozole as a pretreatment before ablation of uterine fibroid with high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), so a retrospective observation study was performed to evaluate the response of different pre-HIFU medication.MethodsWe collected patients with single uterine fibroid receiving HIFU ablation from January 2018 to April 2021. All enrolled patients were classified into three group: group A (no pre-HIFU medication use), group B (Pre-HIFU letrozole use), group C (pre-HIFU gonadotrophin releasing hormone analog, GnRHa). Further associated clinical data and treatment response after HIFU treatment were reviewed and evaluated.ResultsA total of 39 patients including 21, 7, and 11 in group A, B, and C were collected respectively. After pre-HIFU medication, no difference of fibroid volume was found (A: 251.4, B: 360.6, C: 409.4 cm3, p = 0.250), and GnRHa group had significantly larger volume reduction than Letrozole users (38.6% vs. 16.4%, p = 0.007). The incidence of hypoestrogenic symptoms was higher in GnRHa group than in letrozole users (27.3% vs. 0, p = 0.170). GnRHa group had more sonication time (p = 0.001), treatment duration (p = 0.002), and ablated energy (p = 0.001) than group A and B. The treatment efficiency was higher in letrozole group than that in other 2 groups (4.52 vs. 2.39 vs. 2.34 cm3/min, p = 0.050). For patients with fibroid over 10 cm in diameter, letrozole group had even better energy efficiency (p = 0.067), treatment speed (p = 0.007), treatment efficiency (p = 0.001), NPV per energy (p = 0.005), and NPV per sonication (p = 0.004) than other 2 groups.ConclusionLetrozole as a pretreatment medication before HIFU treatment might increase the energy efficiency and treatment efficiency of its ablation of uterine leiomyoma, especially for fibroid over 10 cm. Future study of larger patient number is needed to confirm our results.