bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relação da obesidade com o agravamento da COVID-19
Authors: Silva Neto Jerônimo Gregório da , Braga Fernando Andrade , Moura Gisele Viana de , Cavalcante Sara Kaline Carvalho Carneiro , Oliveira Lucas Eduardo Alves de , Sousa Erica Fernanda Gomes de , Sousa Matheus de , Santos Mirelly Suenha de Araújo Costa , Oliveira Jordana Siriano , Honório Filho Silvio Marcos 
Published: February 2022

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar através de uma revisão integrativa da literatura a relação da obesidade com o agravamento da COVID-19. Realizou-se uma revisão integrativa. A busca dos artigos foi realizada nas bases de dados PubMed, Scielo, Lilacs por meio dos descritores nos idiomas português e inglês: “Obesidade”, “Agravamento”, " COVID-19", "Obesity", "Aggravation" and "COVID-19", unidos com o operador booleano “AND". O acesso às bases de dados foi realizado no período de dezembro de 2021. Foram encontrados 87 artigos e após a aplicação dos critérios de inclusão restaram 7 artigos. Pacientes obesos podem ter complicações respiratórias e estão associados a um risco aumentado de diabetes, doenças cardiovasculares e renais. Além disso, a presença de hipertensão, dislipidemia e diabetes tipo 2 pode tornar os indivíduos suscetíveis a eventos cardiovasculares e aumentar a suscetibilidade a infecções. Conclui-se que a obesidade tem relação com agravamento da COVID-19, estando ligado com deficiências nos sistemas cardiovascular, respiratório, metabólico e trombótico e respostas imunes. Além disso, a presença de outras Doenças Crônicas Não Transmissíveis (DCNT) pode aumentar a suscetibilidade a infecções.
Label-Free Protein Analysis by Pyro-Electrohydrodynamic Jet Printing of Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Vespini Veronica , Grilli Simonetta , Ferraro Pietro , Rega Romina , Ottevaere Heidi , Nie Yunfeng , Musto Pellegrino , Pannico Marianna 
Published: February 2022

The pyro-electrohydrodynamic jet (p-jet) printing technology has been used for the fabrication of confined assemblies of gold nanoparticles with a round shape and a diameter ranging between 100 and 200 μm. The surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) performance of the p-jet substrate was evaluated by using Rhodamine 6G (R6G) as a reference. The results demonstrate that this kind of SERS substrate exhibits strong plasmonic effects and a significant reproducibility of the signal with a coefficient of variation below 15%. We tested the signal behavior also in case of the bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model analyte, to demonstrate the affinity with biomolecules. Strong SERS activity was measured also for BSA across the whole spot area. The spectral patterns collected in different locations of the sensing area were highly reproducible. This observation was substantiated by multivariate analysis of the imaging datasets and opens the route towards a potential application of this kind of SERS substrate in biosensing.
Aeromonas sobria Serine Protease Degrades Several Protein Components of Tight Junctions and Assists Bacterial Translocation Across the T84 Monolayer
Authors: Ueda Mitsunobu , Kobayashi Hidetomo , Seike Soshi , Takahashi Eizo , Okamoto Keinosuke , Yamanaka Hiroyasu 
Published: February 2022

Aeromonas sobria is a Gram-negative pathogen that causes food-borne illness. In immunocompromised patients and the elderly, A. sobria opportunistically leads to severe extraintestinal diseases including sepsis, peritonitis, and meningitis. If A. sobria that infects the intestinal tract causes such an extraintestinal infection, the pathogen must pass through the intestinal epithelial barrier. In our earlier study using intestinal cultured cells (T84 cells), we observed that an A. sobria strain with higher A. sobria serine protease (ASP) production caused a marked level of bacterial translocation across the T84 intestinal epithelial monolayer. Herein, we investigated the effect of ASP on tight junctions (TJs) in T84 cells. We observed that ASP acts on TJs and causes the destruction of ZO-1, ZO-2, ZO-3, and claudin-7 (i.e., some of the protein components constituting TJs), especially in the strains with high ASP productivity. Based on the present results together with those of our earlier study, we propose that ASP may cause a disruption of the barrier function of the intestinal epithelium as a whole due to the destruction of TJs (in addition to the destruction of adherens junctions) and that ASP may assist invasion of the pathogens from the intestinal epithelium into deep sites in the human body.
The Early Predictive Value of Circulating Monocytes and Eosinophils in Coronary DES Restenosis
Authors: Li Shumei , Qiu Hong , Lin Zhaorong , Fan Lin , Guo Yongzhe , Zhang Yujie , Chen Lianglong 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundMonocytes and eosinophils are involved in intracoronary inflammatory responses, aggravating coronary artery plaque instability and in-stent restenosis (ISR).AimsTo investigate an early prediction of ISR in patients undergoing stenting by circulating monocytes and eosinophils.MethodsThe single-center data of patients undergoing successful drug-eluting stents (DES) implantation from January 1, 2017 to April 30, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Of the 4,392 patients assessed, 140 patients with restenosis and 141 patients without restenosis were enrolled. A scheduled postoperative follow-up was proceeded in four sessions: 0–3 months, 3–6 months, 6–12 months, and &gt;12 months. The hematological and biochemical measurement was collected. The angiographic review was completed within two postoperative years.ResultsSignificant associations of monocyte count and percentage with ISR were evident [odds ratio (OR): 1.44, 95% CI: 1.23–1.68, P &lt; 0.001; OR: 1.47, 95%CI: 1.24–1.74, P &lt; 0.001, respectively], which began at 3 months postoperatively and persisted throughout the follow-up period. Eosinophil count and percentage were associated with ISR (OR: 1.22, 95%CI: 1.09–1.36, P = 0.001; OR: 1.23, 95%CI: 1.07–1.40, P = 0.003, respectively), with ISR most significantly associated with the baseline eosinophils. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the cutoff points of monocyte count and percentage in the ISR prediction were 0.46× 109/L and 7.4%, respectively, and those of eosinophil count and percentage were 0.20 × 109/L and 2.5%, respectively.ConclusionThis study, with a long-term follow-up, first provides evidence that the elevated monocytes at three postoperative months and baseline eosinophils may be strong early predictors of ISR after drug-eluting stent implantation. Persistent elevation of monocytes may also be a signal of ISR after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
Whole-Exome Sequencing Identifies a Novel Variant (c.1538T > C) of TNNI3K in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Xie Ting , Yang Yifeng , Gong Ke , Luo Yong , Guo Hui , Liu Ruilin , Wang Lei , Tan Zhiping , Luo Jinwen , Xie Li 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundsArrhythmic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a cardiomyopathy with a genetic predisposition that can lead to a sudden cardiac death and heart failure. According to the 2010 Task Force Criteria, genetic diagnosis is one of the most important methods, but, so far, only a few genes related to ARVC have been identified.MethodsIn this study, the pathogenic gene of a patient with ARVC was examined using whole-exome sequencing. The plasmids of TNNI3K were constructed, and the effects of the TNNI3K variant was investigated by a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blot.ResultsA novel variant (c.1538T &gt; C) of TNNI3K was identified, with phenotypes of dominant right ventricular (RV) disease preliminarily fulfilling the diagnosis of ARVC. A comprehensive assessment revealed that the variant was pathogenic. We found that this variant would lead to a decrease in the level of TNNI3K mRNA and protein, as well as a decrease in the expression of the RYR2 gene, which further proves that TNNI3K plays an important role in cardiomyopathy and expands the spectrum of the TNNI3K variants.ConclusionIn this study, we reported a TNNI3K variant in ARVC for the first time, and the results not only contribute to the diagnosis of ARVC, but also provide a reference for genetic counseling and promote the understanding of the genetic mechanism of cardiomyopathy.
Vaginal Microbiota Changes in Patients With Premature Ovarian Insufficiency and Its Correlation With Ovarian Function
Authors: Wen Jingyi , Feng Yanzhi , Yan Wei , Yuan Suzhen , Zhang Jinjin , Luo Aiyue , Wang Shixuan 
Published: February 2022

ObjectivesTo reveal the characteristics of vaginal microbiota in premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) patients and their relationship with ovarian function.Materials and MethodsIn this case-control study, the vaginal bacterial composition of 30 POI patients and 26 healthy women of comparable age was assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing targeting the V3-V4 hypervariable regions. The metabolic functions of vaginal microflora were preliminarily predicted through the PICRUSt2 analysis. Redundancy analysis and Spearman’s correlation analyzed the relationships between vaginal microbiota and ovarian function indicators.ResultsActinobacteria, Atopobium, and Gardnerella were significantly increased in POI patients. Their increments were significantly negatively correlated with anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B, and positively correlated with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). While Bifidobacterium was significantly decreased in POI patients. Its relative abundance was significantly positively correlated with AMH and negatively correlated with FSH and LH. Then, POI patients included in this study were divided into POI (25 &lt; FSH ≤ 40) (n = 9) and premature ovarian failure (POF) (FSH &gt; 40) (n = 21) subgroups according to serum FSH levels. Compared with the controls, Firmicutes and Lactobacillus were significantly decreased only in POF (FSH &gt; 40) patients, while no difference was observed in POI (25 &lt; FSH ≤ 40) patients. Lactobacillus was negatively correlated with FSH. Firmicutes was significantly reduced and Actinobacteria was significantly increased in POF (FSH &gt; 40) patients compared with POI (25 &lt; FSH ≤ 40) patients. The key bacterial taxa Gardnerella and Atopobium showed potency in predicting POI.ConclusionsHere we demonstrated significant changes in the vaginal microbiota of POI patients, and these changes were significantly correlated with reduced ovarian reserve, endocrine disruption, and symptoms of perimenopausal syndrome. Differences in vaginal microbiota between POI (25 &lt; FSH ≤ 40) and POF (FSH &gt; 40) patients were also identified. These findings may provide new evidence for the relationship between vaginal microbiota and ovarian function.
Development and Validation of a Novel Stemness-Index-Related Long Noncoding RNA Signature for Breast Cancer Based on Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis
Authors: Qian Da , Qian Cheng , Ye Buyun , Xu Ming , Wu Danping , Li Jialu , Li Dong , Yu Bin , Tao Yijing 
Published: February 2022

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is a major leading cause of woman deaths worldwide. Increasing evidence has revealed that stemness features are related to the prognosis and progression of tumors. Nevertheless, the roles of stemness-index-related long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in BC remain unclear.Methods: Differentially expressed stemness-index-related lncRNAs between BC and normal samples in The Cancer Genome Atlas database were screened based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis and differential analysis. Univariate Cox and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analyses were performed to identify prognostic lncRNAs and construct a stemness-index-related lncRNA signature. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted to evaluate the predictive capability of the stemness-index-related lncRNA signature. Moreover, correlation analysis and functional enrichment analyses were conducted to investigate the stemness-index-related lncRNA signature-related biological function. Finally, a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression levels of lncRNAs.Results: A total of 73 differentially expressed stemness-index-related lncRNAs were identified. Next, FAM83H-AS1, HID1-AS1, HOXB-AS1, RP11-1070N10.3, RP11-1100L3.8, and RP11-696F12.1 were used to construct a stemness-index-related lncRNA signature, and receiver operating characteristic curves indicated that stemness-index-related lncRNA signature could predict the prognosis of BC well. Moreover, functional enrichment analysis suggested that differentially expressed genes between the high-risk group and low-risk group were mainly involved in immune-related biological processes and pathways. Furthermore, functional enrichment analysis of lncRNA-related protein-coding genes revealed that FAM83H-AS1, HID1-AS1, HOXB-AS1, RP11-1070N10.3, RP11-1100L3.8, and RP11-696F12.1 were associated with neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction, AMPK signaling pathway, PPAR signaling pathway, and cGMP-PKG signaling pathway. Finally, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed that FAM83H-AS1, HID1-AS1, RP11-1100L3.8, and RP11-696F12.1 might be used as the potential diagnostic biomarkers of BC.Conclusion: The stemness-index-related lncRNA signature based on FAM83H-AS1, HID1-AS1, HOXB-AS1, RP11-1070N10.3, RP11-1100L3.8, and RP11-696F12.1 could be used as an independent predictor for the survival of BC, and FAM83H-AS1, HID1-AS1, RP11-1100L3.8, and RP11-696F12.1 might be used as the diagnostic markers of BC.
Integrative Analyses of Genes Associated With Otologic Disorders in Turner Syndrome
Authors: Xue Ruoyan , Tang Qi , Zhang Yongli , Xie Mengyao , Li Chen , Wang Shu , Yang Hua 
Published: February 2022

Background:Loss or partial loss of one X chromosome induces Turner syndrome (TS) in females, causing major medical concerns, including otologic disorders. However, the underlying genetic pathophysiology of otologic disorders in TS is mostly unclear.Methods:Ear-related genes of TS (TSEs) were identified by analyzing differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in two Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO)-derived expression profiles and ear-genes in the Comparative Toxicogenomic Database (CTD). Subsequently, Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Disease Ontology (DO) analyses; Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA); and Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) were adopted to study biological functions. Moreover, hub genes within the TSEs were identified by assessing protein-protein interaction (PPI), gene-microRNA, and gene-transcription factor (TF) networks. Drug-Gene Interaction Database (DGIdb) analysis was performed to predict molecular drugs for TS. Furthermore, three machine-learning analysis outcomes were comprehensively compared to explore optimal biomarkers of otologic disorders in TS. Finally, immune cell infiltration was analyzed.Results:The TSEs included 30 significantly upregulated genes and 14 significantly downregulated genes. Enrichment analyses suggested that TSEs play crucial roles in inflammatory responses, phospholipid and glycerolipid metabolism, transcriptional processes, and epigenetic processes, such as histone acetylation, and their importance for inner ear development. Subsequently, we described three hub genes in the PPI network and confirmed their involvement in Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and immune cell regulation and roles in maintaining normal auditory function. We also constructed gene-microRNA and gene-TF networks. A novel biomarker (SLC25A6) of the pathogenesis of otologic disorders in TS was identified by comprehensive comparisons of three machine-learning analyses with the best predictive performance. Potential therapeutic agents in TS were predicted using the DGIdb. Immune cell infiltration analysis showed that TSEs are related to immune-infiltrating cells.Conclusion:Overall, our findings have deepened the understanding of the pathophysiology of otologic disorders in TS and made contributions to present a promising biomarker and treatment targets for in-depth research.
Individualized Constellation of Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-Like Receptors and Cognate HLA Class I Ligands that Controls Natural Killer Cell Antiviral Immunity Predisposes COVID-19
Authors: Maruthamuthu Stalinraja , Rajalingam Karan , Kaur Navchetan , Morvan Maelig G. , Soto Jair , Lee Nancy , Kong Denice , Hu Zicheng , Reyes Kevin , Ng Dianna , Butte Atul J. , Chiu Charles , Rajalingam Raja 
Published: February 2022

Background:The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection causes coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in some individuals, while the majority remain asymptomatic. Natural killer (NK) cells play an essential role in antiviral defense. NK cell maturation and function are regulated mainly by highly polymorphic killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) and cognate HLA class I ligands. Herein, we tested our hypothesis that the individualized KIR and HLA class I ligand combinations that control NK cell function determine the outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection.Methods:We characterized KIR and HLA genes in 200 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 and 195 healthy general population controls.Results:The KIR3DL1+HLA-Bw4+[Odds ratio (OR) = 0.65,p= 0.03] and KIR3DL2+HLA-A3/11+(OR = 0.6,p= 0.02) combinations were encountered at significantly lower frequency in COVID-19 patients than in the controls. Notably, 40% of the patients lacked both of these KIR+HLA+combinations compared to 24.6% of the controls (OR = 2.04,p= 0.001). Additionally, activating receptors KIR2DS1+KIR2DS5+are more frequent in patients with severe COVID-19 than patients with mild disease (OR = 1.8,p= 0.05). Individuals carrying KIR2DS1+KIR2DS5+genes but missing either KIR3DL1+HLA-Bw4+combination (OR = 1.73,p= 0.04) or KIR3DL2+HLA-A3/11+combination (OR = 1.75,p= 0.02) or both KIR3DL1+HLA-Bw4+and KIR2DL2+HLA-A3/11+combinations (OR = 1.63,p= 0.03) were more frequent in the COVID-19 cohort compared to controls.Conclusions:The absence of KIR3DL1+HLA-Bw4+and KIR3DL2+HLA-A3/11+combinations presumably yields inadequate NK cell maturation and reduces anti-SARS-CoV-2 defense, causing COVID-19. An increased frequency of KIR2DS1+KIR2DS5+in severe COVID-19 patients suggests vigorous NK cell response triggered via these activating receptors and subsequent production of exuberant inflammatory cytokines responsible for severe COVID-19. Our results demonstrate that specific KIR-HLA combinations that control NK cell maturation and function are underlying immunogenetic variables that determine the dual role of NK cells in mediating beneficial antiviral and detrimental pathologic action. These findings offer a framework for developing potential host genetic biomarkers to distinguish individuals prone to COVID-19.
Risk Factors for Fever After Esophageal Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection and Its Derived Technique
Authors: Liao Foqiang , Zhu Zhenhua , Lai Yongkang , Pan Xiaolin , Long Shunhua , Zhou Xiaojiang , Li Guohua , Zhu Yin , Chen Youxiang , Shu Xu 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundFever is one of the postoperative adverse events of endoscopic submucosal dissection and its derived technique, but the probability and risk factors of postoperative fever are still unclear. The aim of the current study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors of postoperative fever after esophageal lesion removal.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of 446 patients who underwent esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection and its derived technique between January 2014 and January 2020. Cases included in this study were divided into fever and non-fever groups.ResultsPostoperative fever developed in 135 patients (30.3%). The median (range) highest fever temperature was 38 (37.8–38.4)°C, the median (range) duration of fever was 1 (1–2) day, and 127 (94.1%) patients developed fever within 24 h after operation. Through logistic regression analysis, factors associated with postoperative fever were age (OR: 1.740, 95% CI: 1.005–3.013, p = 0.048), lesion size (OR: 2.007, 95% CI: 1.198–3.362, p = 0.008), operation time (OR: 3.007, 95% CI: 1.756–5.147, p &lt; 0.001) and nasogastric tube placement (OR: 1.881, 95% CI: 1.165–3.037, p = 0.010), while prophylactic antibiotics (OR: 0.181, 95% CI: 0.082–0.401, p &lt; 0.001) were negatively associated with fever.ConclusionsAge ≥52 years old, lesion size ≥19 mm, operation time ≥37 min, and nasogastric tube placement are risk factors for postoperative fever after esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection and its derived technique, prophylactic antibiotic use after operation may help reduce fever rate. Attention should be paid to such patients to minimize the risk of postoperative fever.
Cardiovascular Risks and Risk Stratification in Inflammatory Joint Diseases: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Yagensky Vasyl , Schirmer Michael 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundIt is well established that patients with inflammatory joint diseases (IJD) have an increased cardiovascular (CV) mortality and morbidity. According to the 2016 EULAR recommendations on CV risk management, rheumatologists should ensure appropriate management of CV risk in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other IJDs. The aim was to assess the CV risk and CV disease in Middle-European patients with IJD.MethodsA retrospective chart review was performed for CV risk factors and CV disease in outpatients of a rheumatology outpatient clinic. CV risk was assessed according to the 2016 European Guidelines on CV disease prevention and also using 2 other approaches to compare the results with data from Norwegian and Spanish cohorts.ResultsOut of 432 patients, the prevalence of CV disease reached from 8.7% in spondyloarthritis (SpA) and 12.8% in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) to 18.7% in patients with RA. The number of CV risk factors did not differ between patients with RA, SpA, PsA, and non-inflammatory rheumatic disease (NIRD) (with 1.68 ± 0.13, 1.70 ± 0.13, 2.04 ± 0.16, and 1.78 ± 0.34, respectively). CV risk assessment could be performed in 82 patients after exclusion because of missing data and age. Stratification according to ESC guidelines showed low in 50%, moderate in 12.2%, high in 20.7%, and very high CV risk in 17.1% of patients aged between 40 and 65 years. CV risk in the Middle-European patients with IJD was higher than in the German general population (p = 0.004), and similar to the Norwegian patients with IJD, although patients with Middle-European PsA were at higher risk than the Norwegian patients (p = 0.045). Compared to the Spanish patients, Middle-European patients with IJD were more likely assigned to the high- to a very high-risk group (34.2 vs. 16.2%, p &lt; 0.001), especially in RA disease (49.1 vs. 21%, respectively, p &lt; 0.001).DiscussionHigh prevalence of established CV disease together with high CV risk in patients with IJD urges for increased vigilance for CV risk factors followed by appropriate interaction by the treating physicians. The prospective use of an international CV risk assessment tool will allow not only estimation of the individual CV risk but also provide data for direct comparisons with the general population and other international cohorts.