bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lower risk of ischemic stroke among patients with chronic kidney disease using chinese herbal medicine as add-on therapy: A real-world nationwide cohort study
Authors: Shen Hsuan-Shu , Hsu Chung-Yi , Yip Hei-Tung , Lin I-Hsin 
Published: August 2022

Background: The incidence of ischemic stroke (IS) is much higher among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) compared to the general population. Few studies have evaluated the association between the risk of IS and the use of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) in patients with CKD. We aimed to investigate the risk of IS among patients with CKD using CHM as add-on therapy.Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study based on Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database to assess 21,641 patients with newly diagnosed CKD between 2003 and 2012. Patients were classified as either the CHM (n = 3,149) or the non-CHM group (n = 3,149) based on whether they used CHM after first diagnosis of CKD. We used the proportional subdistribution hazards model of Fine and Gray to examine the hazard ratio (HR) of IS in propensity-score matched samples at a ratio of 1:1 for two groups.Results: The risk of IS was significantly reduced in the CHM group (adjusted HR [aHR]: 0.58, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.48–0.70) compared with the non-CHM group. Those who used CHM for &gt;180 days had an even lower risk of IS than those in the non-CHM group (aHR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.41–0.63). Additionally, frequently prescribed formulae, such as Ji-Sheng-Shen-Qi-Wan, Liu-Wei-Di-Huang-Wan, and Zhen-Wu-Tang were associated with a 30%–50% reduced risk of IS.Conclusion: Our results suggest that patients with CKD who used CHM as add-on therapy had a lower hazard of IS than those in the non-CHM group, especially for patients taking CHM for &gt;180 days. Further experimental studies are required to clarify the causal relationship.
Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J.Presl Alleviates Allergic Responses in Asthmatic Mice via Suppression of MAPKs and MMP-9
Authors: Lim Je-Oh , Kim Yun Hee , Lee Ik Soo , Kim Woong-Il , Lee Se-Jin , Pak So-Won , Shin In-Sik , Kim Taesoo 
Published: August 2022

The prevalence of asthma is gradually increasing, and endangers human health. Many therapeutic agents have been developed to address this concern. Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J.Presl is a traditional herbal remedy in China, Japan, and Korea and used mainly to control common cold, cough, pneumonitis and fever in Donguibogam, a medical encyclopedia of Korea. Therefore, we investigated whether C. cassia (L.) J.Presl extract (CCE) confers protective effects on asthma model induced by ovalbumin (OVA). The animals were received intraperitoneal administration of OVA on day 1 and 14, and then subjected to OVA inhalation from day 21–23. They were orally treated CCE (30 and 100 mg/kg) from day 18–23. CCE administration decreased allergic responses, including airway hyperresponsiveness, eosinophilia, inflammatory cytokine production, and immunoglobulin E in OVA-exposed mice, along with the decline in inflammatory cell count and mucus secretion in respiratory tract. Additionally, CCE suppressed MAPK phosphorylation and MMP-9 expression in OVA-exposed mice. Overall, CCE treatment attenuated allergic responses induced by OVA exposure, which may be connected to the suppression of MAPK phosphorylation.
Distinct alterations of fecal microbiota refer to the efficacy of adalimumab in Crohn’s disease
Authors: Chen Liang , Lu Zhanjun , Kang Dengfeng , Feng Zhongsheng , Li Gengfeng , Sun Mingming , Liu Zhanju , Wu Wei , Fang Leilei 
Published: August 2022

Background and Aims: Anti-tumor necrosis factor mAb (i.e., adalimumab, ADA) is currently used in the treatment of patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). However, its regulation on fecal microbiota is still not fully understood.Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 115 patients with CD who received treatment with ADA for 12 weeks at the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center in Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital and Department of Gastroenterology in Shanghai General Hospital. The Crohn’s disease activity index (CDAI) evaluation was applied to patients before ADA therapy at week 0, 4, 8, and 12. Clinical remission (CR) was defined as the CDAI &lt; 150. All patients underwent ileocolonoscopy or enteroscopy at baseline (week 0) and week 12. Crohn’s Disease Endoscopic Index of Severity (CDEIS) scores were calculated by two experienced physicians to assess endoscopic activity. Mucosal healing (MH) was assigned a CDEIS score between 0 and 3. Fecal samples were collected from eight CD patients at baseline and week 12, and the microbiota was analyzed by using 16S RNA sequencing.Results: At week 12, CR was achieved in 70.6% (72/102) of the patients with active CD. A total of 47.1% (48/102) of the patients with active CD attained MH, among which, 56.6% (30/53) of the patients with mildly active CD (3 ≤ CDEIS &lt;9) and 48.0% (12/25) of the moderately active CD patients (9 ≤ CDEIS &lt;12) attained MH, but only 25.0% (6/24) achieved MH in severely active CD patients (CDEIS ≥12). The efficacy of ADA was not associated with lesion locations (χ2 = 0.409, p = 0.815). Unexpectedly, we found an increase in protective microbiota at the genus level (e.g., Barnesiella, Anaerostipes, Tyzzerella, Lachnoclostridium, and Lachnospiraceae_unclassified) but a decrease in pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia–Shigella) in fecal samples of the ADA-responsive group (ADA-R) when compared with those in the ADA-nonresponsive group (ADA-NR). Notably, the gene bglX coding β-glucosidase and gph encoding phosphoglycolate phosphatase were enriched in fecal samples of ADA-R. Conversely, the abundance of genes coding ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter system proteins was significantly enriched in fecal samples of ADA-NR when compared with that of the ADA-R.Conclusion: This study reveals that ADA markedly improves clinical remission and induces MH in mildly to moderately active CD patients and that distinct changes in the gut microbiota can be used to predict the efficacy of ADA.
Kuoxin Decoction promotes lymphangiogenesis in zebrafish and in vitro based on network analysis
Authors: Peng Longping , Ma Mengjiao , Dong Yidan , Wu Qiong , An Shiying , Cao Min , Wang Yi , Zhou Chang , Zhou Maolin , Wang Xu , Liang Qianqian , Wang Youhua 
Published: August 2022

Background: Inadequate lymphangiogenesis is closely related to the occurrence of many kinds of diseases, and one of the important treatments is to promote lymphangiogenesis. Kuoxin Decoction (KXF) is an herbal formula from traditional Chinese medicine used to treat dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), which is associated with lymphangiogenesis deficiency. In this study, we comprehensively verified whether KXF promotes lymphangiogenesis in zebrafish and in vitro based on network analysis.Methods: We performed virtual screening of the active compounds of KXF and potential targets regarding DCM based on network analysis. Tg (Flila: EGFP; Gata1: DsRed) transgenic zebrafish embryos were treated with different concentrations of KXF for 48 h with or without the pretreatment of MAZ51 for 6 h, followed by morphological observation of the lymphatic vessels and an assessment of lymphopoiesis. RT-qPCR was employed to identify VEGF-C, VEGF-A, PROX1, and LYVE-1 mRNA expression levels in different groups. After the treatment of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) with different concentrations of salvianolic acid B (SAB, the active ingredient of KXF), their proliferation, migration, and protein expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 were compared by CCK-8 assay, wound healing assay, and western blot.Results: A total of 106 active compounds were identified constituting KXF, and 58 target genes of KXF for DCM were identified. There were 132 pathways generated from KEGG enrichment, including 5 signaling pathways related to lymphangiogenesis. Zebrafish experiments confirmed that KXF promoted lymphangiogenesis and increased VEGF-C and VEGF-A mRNA expression levels in zebrafish with or without MAZ51-induced thoracic duct injury. In LECs, SAB promoted proliferation and migration, and it could upregulate the protein expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 in LECs after injury.Conclusion: The results of network analysis showed that KXF could regulate lymphangiogenesis through VEGF-C and VEGF-A, and experiments with zebrafish confirmed that KXF could promote lymphangiogenesis. Cell experiments confirmed that SAB could promote the proliferation and migration of LECs and upregulate the protein expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3. These results suggest that KXF promotes lymphangiogenesis by a mechanism related to the upregulation of VEGF-C/VEGFR-3, and the main component exerting this effect may be SAB.
Case Report: Clinical complete response of advanced renal cell carcinoma associated with Xp11.2 translocation/TFE3 gene fusion by treated by camrelizumab and axitinib: A rare case report
Authors: Zhao Juping , Dai Kun , Xie Jialing , Fang Chen , Chen Na , Dai Jun , Xu Danfeng 
Published: August 2022

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) associated with Xp11.2 translocation/TFE3 gene fusions is a rare subtype of renal tumor. This entity predominantly occurs in juveniles, but rarely in adults. Xp11.2 translocation RCC (tRCC) patients with lymph node or organ metastasis are associated with poor prognosis, and the strategy remains controversial. Herein, we presented our experience with the diagnosis and treatment of an adult case of Xp11.2 tRCC. In our clinical practice, a 32-year-old male manifested fever and right flank paroxysmal blunt pain, and computed tomography showed an inhomogeneous mass, 6 cm in diameter, in the right kidney. Then right partial nephrectomy (PN) and renal hilar lymph node dissection by laparoscopic surgery were performed. Pathology revealed that the tumor cells were positive for TFE3 immunohistologically and positive for TFE3 break-apart fluorescence in situ hybridization assay. A splice site mutation c.1544-1G&gt;T of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor delta (PTPRD) was detected by next-generation sequencing and weak PTPRD expression was confirmed in tumor tissues compared to tumor periphery. This patient was diagnosed with stage III RCC and received immune checkpoint inhibitor (camrelizumab) in combination with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (axitinib) treatment for 1 year. He achieved a clinical complete response with no sign of recurrence or metastasis. PTPRD mutation might be a favorable indicator for Xp11.2 tRCC patients managed by PN and followed by the adjuvant therapy of immune checkpoint inhibitor and tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
Curcuma longa and Boswellia serrata Extracts Modulate Different and Complementary Pathways on Human Chondrocytes In Vitro: Deciphering of a Transcriptomic Study
Authors: Sanchez Christelle , Zappia Jérémie , Lambert Cécile , Foguenne Jacques , Dierckxsens Yvan , Dubuc Jean-Emile , Delcour Jean-Pierre , Gothot André , Henrotin Yves 
Published: August 2022

Objectives:Curcuma longa (CL) and Boswellia serrata (BS) extracts are used to relieve osteoarthritis symptoms. The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate their mechanisms of action at therapeutic plasmatic concentrations on primary human osteoarthritic (OA) chondrocytes.Methods: BS (10–50 μg/ml) and CL (0.4–2 μg/ml corresponding to 1–5 µM of curcumin) were evaluated separately or in combination on primary chondrocytes isolated from 17 OA patients and cultured in alginate beads. Ten patients were used for RNA-sequencing analysis. Proteomic confirmation was performed either by immunoassays in the culture supernatant or by flow cytometry for cell surface markers after 72 h of treatment.Results: Significant gene expression modifications were already observed after 6 h of treatment at the highest dose of CL (2 μg/ml) while BS was significantly effective only after 24 h of treatment irrespective of the concentration tested. The most over-expressed genes by CL were anti-oxidative, detoxifying, and cytoprotective genes involved in the Nrf2 pathway. Down-regulated genes were principally pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Inversely, BS anti-oxidant/detoxifying activities were related to the activation of Nrf1 and PPARα pathways. BS anti-inflammatory effects were associated with the increase in GDF15, decrease in cholesterol cell intake and fatty acid metabolism-involved genes, and down-regulation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) activation. Similar to CL, BS down-regulated ADAMTS1, 5, and MMP3, 13 genes expression. The combination of both CL and BS was significantly more effective than CL or BS alone on many genes such as IL-6, CCL2, ADAMTS1, and 5.Conclusion: BS and CL have anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-catabolic activities, suggesting a protective effect of these extracts on cartilage. Even if they share some mechanism of action, the two extracts act mainly on distinct pathways, and with different time courses, justifying their association to treat osteoarthritis.
Melatonin promotes sirtuin 1 expression and inhibits IRE1α–XBP1S–CHOP to reduce endoplasmic reticulum stress–mediated apoptosis in chondrocytes
Authors: Qin Kunpeng , Tang Hao , Ren Yi , Yang Di , Li Yetian , Huang Wei , Wu Yunfeng , Yin Zongsheng 
Published: August 2022

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic disease characterized by a loss of chondrocytes and the degeneration of cartilage. Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of OA via the activation of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling pathway. In this study, we stimulated human primary chondrocytes with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to reduce cell viability and induce chondrocyte apoptosis. LPS–stimulated human primary chondrocytes induced ER stress and significantly upregulated the ER chaperone glucose–regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and increased the expression level of C/EBP–homologous protein (CHOP), a key mediator of ER stress––induced apoptosis. Interestingly, melatonin treatment attenuated ER stress–mediated chondrocyte apoptosis. Melatonin inhibited the expression of cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-10, Bax, CHOP, GRP78, cleaved caspase-4, phospho–inositol–requiring enzyme 1α (P-IRE1α), and spliced X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1S). In an anterior cruciate ligament transection mouse model of OA, melatonin (50 and 150 mg/kg) dose–dependently relieved joint cartilage degeneration and inhibitied of chondrocyte apoptosis. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that melatonin could promote SIRT1 the expression and inhibit CHOP and cleaved caspase-3 expression in OA mice. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate for the first time that melatonin inhibits the IRE1α-XBP1S-CHOP signaling pathway by promoting the expression of SIRT1 in LPS-treated human chondrocytes and delaying OA progression in vivo.
Mapping the global research landscape and hotspot of exercise therapy and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A bibliometric study based on the web of science database from 2011 to 2020
Authors: Zhou Yu , Liu Xiaodan , Wu Weibing 
Published: August 2022

Background: The application of exercise therapy (ET) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is generating increasing clinical efficacy and social-economic value. In this study, research trends, evolutionary processes and hot topics in this field are detailed, as well as predictions of future development directions.Methods: Search for literature in the field of COPD and ET and analyze data to generate knowledge graphs using VOSiewer and CiteSpace software. The time frame for the search was from 2011 to January 2021. Then we extracted full-text key information (such as title, journal category, publication date, author, country and institution, abstract, and keyword) and obtained the co-citation analysis. Use hierarchal clustering analysis software developed by VOSviewer to map common citations, and use Citespace software to plot trend networks.Results: The United States topped the list with 27.91% of the number of articles posted, followed by the UK at 25.44%. Imperial College London was the highest number of article publications in institutions, followed by Maastricht University and the University of Toronto. The Royal Brompton Harefield NHS Foundation Trust was one of many research institutions and currently holds the highest average citations per item (ACI) value, followed by Imperial College London and the University of Leuven. Judging from the number of publications related to ET and COPD, it is mainly published in cell biology, respiratory pulmonary diseases, and rehabilitation experiments study medicine. The European Respiration Journal is the most widely published in this field, followed by the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Respiratory Medicine.Conclusion: COPD combined with ET is widely used in clinical practice and is on the rise. A distinctive feature of the field is multidisciplinary integration. Rehabilitation research for COPD involves multidisciplinary collaboration, tissue engineering, and molecular biology mechanism studies to help patients remodel healthy breathing. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation measures provide a solid foundation for advancing clinical efficacy in the field of COPD.
Can phase angle from bioelectrical impedance analysis associate with neuromuscular properties of the knee extensors?
Authors: Hirata Kosuke , Ito Mari , Nomura Yuta , Yoshida Tsukasa , Yamada Yosuke , Akagi Ryota 
Published: August 2022

Maintenance and improvement of neuromuscular functions is crucial for everyone regardless of age. An easy way to assess neuromuscular properties without muscle contraction is useful especially for those who cannot perform strenuous muscular force production, such as older adults and patients with orthopedic or cognitive disorders. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) can assess body electrical properties e.g., phase angle (PhA) which is regarded as muscle quantity/quality index. The purpose of this study was to investigate associations of PhA with neuromuscular properties of the knee extensors in 55 young (n = 23) and older (n = 32) adults. The values of PhA of the right thigh and whole-body were determined with BIA at 50 kHz. The participants performed 4-s maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) to measure peak torque (PTMVIC), and 1-s brief MVIC to assess rate of torque development (RTD) over the time interval of 0–200 ms. As markers of physiological mechanisms of muscle force production, twitch contractile properties (peak twitch torque, rate of twitch torque development, and time-to-peak twitch torque) of the knee extensors obtained by femoral nerve electrical stimulation, and muscle activity assessed as root mean square values of electromyographic activity (EMG-RMS) during PTMVIC and RTD measurements were measured. Thigh and whole-body PhA significantly correlated with PTMVIC (r ≥ 0.555, p &lt; 0.001) and electrically evoked twitch parameters (peak twitch torque, rate of twitch torque development, and time-to-peak twitch torque; |r| ≥ 0.420, p ≤ 0.001), but not RTD (r ≤ 0.237, p ≥ 0.081) or EMG-RMSs (|r| ≤ 0.214, p ≥ 0.117). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis revealed that thigh PhA was selected as a significant variable to predict PTMVIC but not RTD. Whole-body PhA was not selected as a significant variable to predict PTMVIC or RTD. In conclusion, both thigh and whole-body PhA can associate with maximal voluntary muscle strength of the knee extensors, and this association may be due to intrinsic contractile properties but not neural aspects. Regarding prediction of the knee extensor strength, thigh PhA is preferable as the predictor rather than whole-body PhA which is used as a widely acknowledged indicator of sarcopenia.
Viewpoint of operating room nurses about factors associated with the occupational burnout: A qualitative study
Authors: Teymoori Esmaeil , Zareiyan Armin , Babajani-Vafsi Saeed , Laripour Reza 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundOccupational burnout is a mental health problem that among nurses may lead not only to physical and psychological complications, but also to a decrease in the quality of patient care. Considering the stressful nature of surgery, operating room nurses may be at a greater risk. Therefore, the present study aimed to identifying factors associated with the occupational burnout from the perspective of operating room nurses.Materials and methodsThis qualitative study was conducted in Iran in 2021 using conventional content analysis. Sampling was performed using purposeful sampling method with maximum variation. In order to collect data, individual, semi-structured interviews were performed with 18 operating room nurses. Interviews continued until data saturation. Data were recorded, transcribed and analyzed using steps proposed by Graneheim and Lundman. Data management was performed using MAXQDA-2020 software. Four criteria provided by Guba and Lincoln were used to improve the study’s trustworthiness and rigor.ResultsA main theme, 4 categories and 15 subcategories were extracted from the data. The main theme is “gradual burnout due to job tension” and categories and subcategories include organizational factors (manager incompetence, organizational indifference, ambiguity in organizational role, organizational inconsistency), interpersonal factors (surgeon aggression, surgeon authoritarianism, surgeon failure to manage stress, unprofessional behavior of nurses), Occupational nature factors (psychological factors and occupational hazards) as well as individual factors (occupational attitude, unprofessional behavior, emotional involvement, demographic factors, physical factors).ConclusionNumerous factors associated with burnout in operating room nurses, which may put the personnel under more pressure. According to these factors, nursing managers and operating room nurses can consider effective strategies to prevent or coping with burnout.
Assessment of anxiety disorders in students starting work with coronavirus patients during a pandemic in Podlaskie Province, Poland
Authors: Czorniej Klaudia Paula , Krajewska-Kułak Elzbieta , Kułak Wojciech 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundAnxiety disorders are considered the sixth most important factor resulting in non-fatal health loss in the world. Moreover, they are among the first ten causes of years lived with disability (YLD) across the globe. Important clinical disorders include e.g., panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and specific phobia.ObjectivesThe study aimed to analyse the occurrence of level anxiety in students who start work at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, with relation to the socio-demographic factors and health status, vaccination, conovirus infection, assistance of a psychologist or psychiatrist in the past, and using tranquilizers.MethodsThe study involved 255 students from Poland starting work with coronavirus patients during the pandemic. It was conducted using our own questionnaire, the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).ResultsFifty-one percent of subjects demonstrated symptoms of mild to severe social phobia. Level of trait anxiety among students correlated significantly with age and gender (females). The level of social anxiety in the evaluated students was significantly correlated with marital status, the self-assessment of the experienced fear, self-perceived health status, having had a coronavirus infection, fear of deterioration of one's health after starting work with coronavirus patients, and fear of contracting the disease while working with coronavirus patients, and using tranquilizers. Level of state anxiety significantly correlated with state anxiety, the self-assessment of professional preparedness for work with coronavirus patients, self-perceived health status, vaccination against coronavirus, and the assistance of a psychiatrist in the past.ConclusionsThe proportion of students showing social anxiety is alarming. Anxiety among the evaluated students during the COVID-19 pandemic was correlated with many factors.