bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of intervention treatment by “heat-clearing and diuresis-promoting” prescription on NALP3, an inflammatory factor in acute gouty arthritis
Authors: Yu Jun , Li Lianrui , Liu Jie , Chen Zhiyong 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
To investigate the efficacy of Qingre Lishi Decoction(QLRD), in the treatment of acute gouty arthritis, and its influence on the expression levels of inflammatory factor nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor(NALP 3) in patients.

Methods
A total of 78 patients with acute gouty arthritis admitted to our hospital were randomly divided into the control group and the observation group, with 39 cases in each group. The control group was given basic treatment and colchicine tablets, and the observation group was given “heat-clearing and diuresis-promoting” prescription for intervention treatment. The main symptom score, treatment effective rate and laboratory indexes of the two groups were compared 7 days after treatment.

Results
After treatment, the scores of joint redness, hot pain, joint flexion and extension disorder, oliguria and constipation were improved in both groups, and the improvement degree in observation group was higher than that in control group (P < 0.05); the clinical effective rate in the observation group (94.87%) was higher than that in the control group (76.92%). The serum uric acid (UA), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and NALP3 showed a decreasing trend, and the decrease degree of each index in observation group was higher than that in control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion
The “heat-clearing and diuresis-promoting” prescription for intervention treatment can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of patients with acute gouty arthritis and reduce the level of inflammatory factor NALP3, maintaining remarkable effect.
Biomechanical analysis of the correlation between mid-shaft atypical femoral fracture (AFF) and axial varus deformation
Authors: Severyns Mathieu , Belaid Dalila , Aubert Kevin , Bouchoucha Ali , Germaneau Arnaud , Vendeuvre Tanguy 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Atypical femoral fractures (AFF) are diaphyseal fractures of the elderly that occur at the end of a minor trauma. The objective of this biomechanical study, using finite element modelling, was to evaluate the variations of the femoral diaphysis fracture indicator according to the variations of the mechanical axis of the lower limb, which can explain all the different atypical fracture types identified in the literature.

Methods
In order to measure variations in stress and risk factors for fracture of the femoral diaphysis, the distal end of the femur was constrained in all degrees of freedom. An axial compression load was applied to the femoral head to digitally simulate the bipodal support configuration in neutral position as well as in different axial positions in varus/valgus (− 10°/10°).

Results
The maximum stress value of Von Mises was twice as high (17.96 ± 4.87 MPa) at a varus angle of − 10° as in the neutral position. The fracture risk indicator of the femoral diaphysis varies proportionally with the absolute value of the steering angle. However, the largest simulated varus deformation (− 10°) found a higher risk of diaphysis fracture indicator than in valgus (10°).

Conclusions
Variations in the mechanical axis of the lower limb influence the stress distribution at the femur diaphysis and consequently increase the risk of AFF. The axial deformation in varus is particularly at risk of AFF. The combination of axial deformation stresses and bone fragility consequently contribute to the creation of an environment favorable to the development of AFF.
Trial registration: ‘retrospectively registered’.
Comparison of latissimus dorsi tendon transfer with subscapularis release versus sliding of internal rotation contracture in obstetrical brachial plexus paralysis sequela
Authors: Abdelaziz Ashraf M. , AbdAlfattah Mohammed A. , El-sherief Faisal Ahmed Hashem , Wahd Yaser El Sayed Hassan , Soliman Hany Abdel Gawwad , El Behairy Hassan Fathy , Ismail Mahmoud Ali 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
The purpose of this study was to compare the functional results of latissimus dorsi (LD) tendon transfer with those of subscapularis (SS) muscle release versus sliding.

Methods
Fifty-six patients with internal rotation contracture and external rotation (ER) weakness as sequelae of Erb’s palsy were included in the study. Of the patients, 24 were included in group 1 (11 boys and 13 girls), with a mean age of 2 years 8 months (range 1.5–5 years) and a follow-up period of 62 months (range 38–68 months). The patients in group 1 underwent LD tendon transfer, with internal rotation contracture and SS release procedures. Thirty-two patients were included in group 2 (18 boys and 14 girls), with a mean age of 2 years 6 months (range 1.5–4.8 years) and a follow-up period of 58 months (range 38–68 months). The patients in group 2 underwent LD tendon transfer with SS sliding.

Results
A significant improvement in preoperative passive ER from − 3.6° to 67.3° after operation was observed in group 1. In group 2, preoperative passive ER in adduction improved from 0° to 72.3°. We found no significant difference (P = 0.1) in postoperative improvement in active ER in both groups (group 1 vs. group 2: 75° vs. 77.3°). Similarly, no significant difference (P = 0.7) in postoperative improvement in passive ER was found between the groups (group 1 vs. group 2: 71° vs. 72.3°).

Conclusions
LD tendon transfer with SS release or sliding is an effective procedure to improve shoulder ER in patients with OBPP, with no inferiority of SS muscle release or sliding for internal rotation contractures and increased passive range of shoulder motion.

Level of evidence
Level III; Retrospective Cohort Comparison; Treatment Study.
PPP1R26 drives hepatocellular carcinoma progression by controlling glycolysis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition
Authors: Yang Yang , Ren Pengwei , Liu Xiaofeng , Sun Xiaoyan , Zhang Chunfeng , Du Xiaojuan , Xing Baocai 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage due to rapid progression. Glycolysis supports anabolic growth and metastasis to promote HCC progression. However, the molecular mechanisms linking glycolysis and metastasis in HCC are not completely defined.

Methods
The expression of PPP1R26 in human HCC tissues was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, and the clinical significance of PPP1R26 in the progression and prognosis of the HCC patients were analyzed. The PPP1R26-binding proteins were determined by mass spectrometry analysis. The function of PPP1R26 in glycolysis, EMT and tumorigenesis were evaluated in HCC cells. Glucose uptake and tumor growth were evaluated using PET imaging in mouse xenografts in vivo. Protein binding was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence co-localization. Protein-RNA binding was determined by RNA-immunoprecipitation (RIP) experiment. The binding of protein on the promoter was evaluated by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay (ChIP).

Results
PPP1R26 is upregulated in human HCC tissues and its upregulation is significantly associated with metastasis and the poor survival of the patients. PPP1R26 activates glycolysis in HCC cells and in mouse xenografts in vivo. PPP1R26 drives glycolysis by binding to PTBP1 to facilitate the mRNA splicing of PKM2. Simultaneously, overexpressed PPP1R26 induces the nuclear accumulation of PKM2 to inhibit the expression of E-cadherin further to drive EMT. Mechanistically, PPP1R26 binds with Ser37-phosphorylated PKM2 and TGIF2 in the nucleus and blocks the binding of TGIF2 with CDH1 promoter to inhibit the transcription of CDH1.

Conclusion
PPP1R26 promotes glycolysis by enhancing PKM2 splicing and simultaneously activates EMT by forming a PPP1R26-PKM2-TGIF2 complex to drive HCC progression. Therefore, targeting PPP1R26 attenuates HCC progression and provides a potential therapeutic strategy for the HCC patients with upregulation of PPP1R26.
Incidental occurrence of neutropenia in children hospitalised for COVID-19
Authors: Folino Francesco , Menis Camilla , Di Pietro Giada Maria , Pinzani Raffaella , Marchisio Paola , Bosis Samantha 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Investigations on haematological alterations in paediatric COVID-19 have been focused mostly on lymphocytes and clotting profiles. Neutropenia has been occasionally reported and its course and impact on the disease have not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology, course, and impact of neutropenia in children with COVID-19 hospitalised in a tertiary care referral paediatric ward.

Methods
A single-centre retrospective study was conducted. Hospitalised children between 1 month and 18 years with confirmed COVID-19 and neutropenia were included and compared to non neutropenic patients. Complete blood picture with differential blood count, serum biochemistry, clotting profiles were performed; clinical data, length of hospitalisation, and prescription of drugs were collected.

Results
Twelve out of 95 patients (12.63%) with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection were neutropenic and met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 161 days (range 38—490 days). The mean duration of symptoms in neutropenic children was 3.82 days, while the mean length of hospitalisation was 7.67 days. These findings were not significantly different in the two study groups. All patients had mild clinical manifestations and were discharged without sequelae.

Conclusions
We provided the first comprehensive study on neutropenia in mild paediatric COVID-19 infection. Our findings show that the main features of this haematological disorder in COVID-19 are analogous to the well-known transient benign neutropenia associated with other common viral infections. In our setting, neutropenia does not emerge as a potential negative prognostic factor in paediatric COVID-19.
Exaggerated false positives by popular differential expression methods when analyzing human population samples
Authors: Li Yumei , Ge Xinzhou , Peng Fanglue , Li Wei , Li Jingyi Jessica 
Published: March 2022

AbstractWhen identifying differentially expressed genes between two conditions using human population RNA-seq samples, we found a phenomenon by permutation analysis: two popular bioinformatics methods, DESeq2 and edgeR, have unexpectedly high false discovery rates. Expanding the analysis to limma-voom, NOISeq, dearseq, and Wilcoxon rank-sum test, we found that FDR control is often failed except for the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Particularly, the actual FDRs of DESeq2 and edgeR sometimes exceed 20% when the target FDR is 5%. Based on these results, for population-level RNA-seq studies with large sample sizes, we recommend the Wilcoxon rank-sum test.
Cellulosic hydrocarbons production by engineering dual synthesis pathways in Corynebacterium glutamicum
Authors: Xu Ying-Ying , Hua Ke-Jun , Huang Zhen , Zhou Ping-Ping , Wen Jing-Bai , Jin Ci , Bao Jie 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Lignocellulose provides the only practical carbohydrates feedstock for sustainable bioproduction of hydrocarbons as future alternative of fossil fuels. Production of hydrocarbons from lignocellulose is achieved by a biorefinery process chain including pretreatment to breakdown the crystalline structure for cellulase-catalyzed hydrolysis, detoxification of inhibitory compounds generated during pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis to fermentable monosaccharide sugars, and fermentation to hydrocarbon products. The major barriers on fermentative production of hydrocarbons from lignocellulose include two aspects: one is the inherent stress of pretreatment-derived inhibitors on microbial cells, the other is the toxicity of hydrocarbons to cell membranes. The microbial cell factory should be tolerant to both inhibitor stress and hydrocarbons toxicity.

Results
Corynebacterium glutamicum was selected as the starting strain of hydrocarbons synthesis since it is well adapted to lignocellulose hydrolysate environment. The dual hydrocarbon synthesis pathways were constructed in an industrial C. glutamicum S9114 strain. The first pathway was the regular one in microalgae composed of fatty acyl-acyl carrier protein (fatty acyl-ACP) reductase (AAR) and aldehyde deformylating oxygenase (ADO) with fatty acyl-ACP as precursor. The second pathway was the direct decarboxylation of free fatty acid by fatty acid decarboxylase (OleT) using the rich fatty acids from the disruption of the transcriptional regulator fasR gene. The transmembrane transportation of hydrocarbon products was avoided by secretively expressing the fatty acid decarboxylase (OleT) to the extracellular space. The hydrocarbons generation from glucose reached 29.2 mg/L, in which the direct decarboxylation pathway contributed more than 70% of the total hydrocarbons generation, and the AAR–ADO pathway contributed the rest 30%.

Conclusion
The dual hydrocarbon synthesis pathways (OleT and AAR–ADO pathways) were constructed in the inhibitors tolerant C. glutamicum S9114 strain for hydrocarbon production using lignocellulose feedstock as the starting feedstock. When corn stover was used for hydrocarbons production after dry acid pretreatment and biodetoxification, the hydrocarbons generation reached 16.0 mg/L. This study provided a new strategy for hydrocarbons synthesis using microbial cell factory suitable for lignocellulose feedstock.
Novel genotypes of Hepatozoon spp. in small mammals, Brazil
Authors: Weck Bárbara C. , Serpa Maria Carolina A. , Ramos Vanessa N. , Luz Hermes R. , Costa Francisco Borges , Ramirez Diego G. , Benatti Hector R. , Piovezan Ubiratan , Szabó Matias P. J. , Marcili Arlei , Krawczak Felipe S. , Muñoz-Leal Sebastián , Labruna Marcelo B. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Small mammals (rodents and marsupials) have been poorly explored for the occurrence of apicomplexan (genus Hepatozoon and genera of the order Piroplasmorida) and Anaplasmataceae agents in Brazil. Thus, this study investigated the occurrence of Hepatozoon spp., Piroplasmorida, and Anaplasmataceae agents in small mammals in seven forest fragments in Brazil.

Methods
During 2015–2018, small mammals were captured in six forest fragments in the State of São Paulo (Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes) and one fragment in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul (Pantanal biome). Mammal blood, liver, spleen, and lung samples were tested molecularly for the presence of DNA of Hepatozoon, Piroplasmorida, and Anaplasmataceae agents.

Results
A total of 524 mammals were captured, comprising seven species of marsupials, 14 rodents, two carnivores, and one Cingulata. Four novel haplotypes (1, 2, 3, 4) of Hepatozoon spp. were detected in small mammals from different biomes. In São Paulo state, haplotype 1 was detected in rodents from Cerrado and a transition area of Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes, whereas haplotype 2 was detected in rodents from the Atlantic Forest biome. On the other hand, haplotypes 3 and 4 were restricted to rodents and marsupials, respectively, from the Pantanal biome of Mato Grosso do Sul. No host species shared more than one haplotype. Despite these distinct geographical and host associations, our phylogenetic analyses indicated that the four Hepatozoon haplotypes belonged to the same clade that contained nearly all haplotypes previously reported on rodents and marsupials, in addition to several reptile-associated haplotypes from different parts of the world. No mammal samples yielded detectable DNA of Piroplasmorida agents. On the other hand, the Anaplasmataceae-targeted polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay amplified a sequence 100% identical to the Wolbachia pipientis endosymbiont of the rodent filarid Litomosoides galizai.

Conclusions
We report a variety of Hepatozoon haplotypes associated with small mammals in three Brazilian biomes: Cerrado, Atlantic Forest, and Pantanal. Through phylogenetic analyses, the Hepatozoon agents grouped in the rodent-marsupial-reptile large clade of Hepatozoon spp. from the world. The detection of a W. pipientis associated with the rodent filarid L. galizai indicates that the rodent was infected by filarial nematodes.

Graphical Abstract
Integration of genetic colocalizations with physiological and pharmacological perturbations identifies cardiometabolic disease genes
Authors: Gloudemans Michael J. , Balliu Brunilda , Nachun Daniel , Schnurr Theresia M. , Durrant Matthew G. , Ingelsson Erik , Wabitsch Martin , Quertermous Thomas , Montgomery Stephen B. , Knowles Joshua W. , Carcamo-Orive Ivan 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundIdentification of causal genes for polygenic human diseases has been extremely challenging, and our understanding of how physiological and pharmacological stimuli modulate genetic risk at disease-associated loci is limited. Specifically, insulin resistance (IR), a common feature of cardiometabolic disease, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidemia, lacks well-powered genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and therefore, few associated loci and causal genes have been identified.MethodsHere, we perform and integrate linkage disequilibrium (LD)-adjusted colocalization analyses across nine cardiometabolic traits (fasting insulin, fasting glucose, insulin sensitivity, insulin sensitivity index, type 2 diabetes, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, body mass index, and waist-hip ratio) combined with expression and splicing quantitative trait loci (eQTLs and sQTLs) from five metabolically relevant human tissues (subcutaneous and visceral adipose, skeletal muscle, liver, and pancreas). To elucidate the upstream regulators and functional mechanisms for these genes, we integrate their transcriptional responses to 21 relevant physiological and pharmacological perturbations in human adipocytes, hepatocytes, and skeletal muscle cells and map their protein-protein interactions.ResultsWe identify 470 colocalized loci and prioritize 207 loci with a single colocalized gene. Patterns of shared colocalizations across traits and tissues highlight different potential roles for colocalized genes in cardiometabolic disease and distinguish several genes involved in pancreatic β-cell function from others with a more direct role in skeletal muscle, liver, and adipose tissues. At the loci with a single colocalized gene, 42 of these genes were regulated by insulin and 35 by glucose in perturbation experiments, including 17 regulated by both. Other metabolic perturbations regulated the expression of 30 more genes not regulated by glucose or insulin, pointing to other potential upstream regulators of candidate causal genes.ConclusionsOur use of transcriptional responses under metabolic perturbations to contextualize genetic associations from our custom colocalization approach provides a list of likely causal genes and their upstream regulators in the context of IR-associated cardiometabolic risk.
The pentagram of concussion: an observational analysis that describes five overt indicators of head trauma
Authors: Beitchman Joshua A. , Burg Brendan A. , Sabb Dylan M. , Hosseini Ario H. , Lifshitz Jonathan 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundMultifarious clinical presentations of traumatic brain injury (TBI) makes detection difficult. Acceptance of the Fencing Response as an indicator of moderate TBI with localization to the brainstem expanded interest towards other possible indicators.MethodsWe hypothesized that an individual experiencing traumatic forces to the head resulting in concussion could display additional brainstem-mediated responses. Using YouTube™, videos were systematically evaluated for mechanical forces imposed on the head with a subsequent, observable behavior. Searches identified 9.9 million non-unique videos in which 0.01% were viewed and 79 met inclusion criteria. Videos of head injuries occurred during athletic activity (57%), assaults (38%), automobile accidents (4%) and impact by an inanimate object (1%).ResultsIndividuals with acute head injury were identified as adults (70%; n = 55), teens (29%; n = 23), and children (1.2%; n = 1). Those identified as males made up majority of injured persons (n = 77♂, 2♀). Individuals in the videos were observed to demonstrate the Fencing Response (47%; n = 37), seizing (44%; n = 35), snoring (24%; n = 19), crying (7.6%; n = 6), and vomiting (3.8%; n = 3).ConclusionEach response, which together comprise the “Pentagram of Concussion”, indicates the presence of traumatic forces to the head that present with one or more pentagram signs that would localize dysfunction to the brainstem. Clinical consideration of these responses helps to immediately identify patients at high risk for a brain injury with brainstem involvement that may have otherwise been mistaken for a different diagnosis.
Late presentation of congenital type IV esophageal hiatus hernia in a 9-year-old boy: a case report
Authors: Tariverdi Marjan , Hesarooeyeh Zahra Ghaeini , Khalili Elham , Majidi Saeedeh , Rezazadeh Maria 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia affects 1 in every 2000–5000 live births. The mediastinum shifts to the opposite side, the lungs are hypoplastic, and the arterioles are abnormal, resulting in pulmonary hypertension. Respiratory and cardiovascular functions are severely impaired at birth, resulting in significant mortality and morbidity as a result of the associated malformations.

Case presentation
A 9-year-old persian boy was referred with complaint of intermittent abdominal pain in the left lower quadrant and an episode of vomiting. The patient was tachypneic, and the abdomen was nontender on examination. Lung sounds on the left side were considerably decreased, whereas heart sounds on the right side were louder. There was no history of underlying disease in the patient. Initial laboratory blood tests, chest x-ray, spiral computed tomography scan, and chest sonography were requested. Blood tests were normal, and chest x-ray revealed a round-shaped lesion with relatively clear boundaries containing air–fluid level and shift of the heart and mediastinum to the right. A spiral computed tomography scan of the lungs demonstrated the shift of the heart and mediastinum to the right side was due to dilated stomach and colon pressure, and chest sonography revealed that half of the stomach was inside the thorax. Laparotomy surgery was performed. The patient had no complications following surgery.

Conclusions
Herniation of abdominal contents through the diaphragmatic hiatus should be suspected in patients with tachypnea and mediastinal shift to the right side. Rapid diagnosis and early surgical treatment are necessary to avert any potentially life-threatening complications.