bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gut microbiota from patients with mild COVID-19 cause alterations in mice that resemble post-COVID syndrome
Authors: de Almeida Viviani Mendes , Engel Daiane F , Ricci Mayra Fernanda , Cruz Clênio Silva , Lopes Icaro Santos , Alves Daniele Almeida , Auriol Mirna d’ , Magalhães João , Zuccoli Giuliana S. , Smith Bradley Joseph , Carregari Victor Corasolla , Machado Elayne Cristina , Rocha Victor M. , Carvalho Toniana G. , Lacerda Larisse de Souza Barbosa , Pimenta Jordane C. , Galvão Izabela , Silva Mariana Aganetti , Rosa Erika da Silva , Cassali Geovanni Dantas , Garcia Cristiana C. , Teixeira Mauro Martins , Coelho Leiliane , Ribeiro Fabiola Mara , Martins Flaviano S. , Saia Rafael Simone , Costa Vivian Vasconcelos , Martins-de-Souza Daniel , Marques João T. , Aguiar Eric R. G. R. , Vieira Angelica T. 
Published: June 2022

Abstract

Background
There is mounting evidence that SARS-CoV-2 targets tissues beyond the respiratory tract. Long-term sequelae after COVID-19 are frequent and of major concern. Prolonged virus detection in the gut has been particularly intriguing. Of note, SARS-CoV-2 infection also disturbs the gut microbiota composition, a finding linked with disease severity in patients with COVID-19. Here, we aimed to characterize the functional role of the gut microbiota in the long-term consequences of COVID-19. To this end, we characterized the gut microbiota from COVID-19 human subjects and followed the effects of human fecal transfer to germ-free mice.
Results
The gut microbiota of post-COVID subjects (up to 4 months from the initial positive test) revealed a remarkable predominance of Enterobacteriaceae strains with multidrug-resistance phenotype compared to healthy controls. After fecal transfer to germ-free mice, animals receiving samples from post-COVID subjects displayed higher lung inflammation and increased susceptibility to pulmonary infection caused by an antimicrobial resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strain. These mice also showed poorer cognitive performance associated with increased expression of TNF-α, reduced levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor-BDNF and postsynaptic density protein-PSD-95 in the brain, as well as alterations of several biochemical pathways. These alterations were observed in the absence of SARS-CoV-2, suggesting that alterations in the gut microbiota caused them. Consistent with this hypothesis, brain dysfunctions induced in a mouse model of coronavirus infection were partially prevented by modulation of the microbiota via treatment with the commensal probiotic bacteria Bifidobacterium longum 51A.
Conclusions
Our results show prolonged impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the gut microbiota that persists even after the individuals have cleared the virus. Increased Enterobacteriaceae with antimicrobial resistance phenotype were of particular concern. Moreover, microbiota transfer from post-COVID subjects induced loss of brain cognitive functions and impaired lung defense in mice. Altogether, our work emphasizes the importance of microbiota as a target for therapies to help treat post-COVID sequelae.
EGR1 mediating EP300 upregulation to alleviate Pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: YANG Lei , WANG Jun , CHEN Jidong , WANG Ting , LIN Boya , LINNEMAN John , L Li , NIU Yanqin , Gou Deming 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a lethal disease characterized by pulmonary vascular remodeling, which is mediated by the abnormal proliferation/migration of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Recent reports suggest the involvement of histone acetylation in PAH development and that histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have therapeutic potential for PAH. EP300 is an acetyltransferase that plays diverse roles in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. However, little is known about its function in relation to PAH.
Results
in this work, we found that the expression of EP300 was found to be increased in the pulmonary arteries of Monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH rat models. EP300-knockdown exacerbated the MCT-induced PAH rats, with a higher right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI), and wall thickness in the pulmonary artery. On a cellular level, the proliferation of PASMCs was promoted by EP300 knockdown. In addition, the expression of EP300 was increased by the overexpression of EGR1 in PASMCs, while the deletion of EGR1 binding sites in the EP300 promoter region decreased the activity of the EP300 promoter. Moreover, deleting the EP300 promoter region containing EGR1 binding sites using CRISPR/Cas9 abolished the upregulation of EP300 in MCT-induced rats and exacerbated MCT-induced PAH. To summarize, our data indicates that EP300 upregulation mediated by EGR1 has a protective effect in MCT-induced PAH.
Conclusions
this work is the first report to find that EP300 expression is increased in MCT-induced PAH mediated by EGR1, and EP300 has potential to provide protection from PAH.
Evaluation of the coracoid bone tunnel placement on Dog Bone button fixation for acromioclavicular joint dislocation: a cadaver study combined with finite element analysis
Authors: Gao Rangshan , Zhang Wendong , Yang Yuxia , Zhang Yucheng , Hu Yangyang , Wu Honghai , Liu Mingsheng , Fei Wenyong , Wang Jingcheng 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background: Dog Bone button fixation was frequently used to treat acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) dislocation. However, there were many studies reporting about complications after fixation.Objective: To investigate the effect the coracoid bone tunnel location had on the treatment of ACJ dislocation using a single‑tunnel coracoclavicular (CC) ligaments fixation with the Dog Bone button.Methods: Six cadaveric shoulders were used. Each specimen underwent five testing conditions, performed in the following order: (1) normal ACJ (Gn). (2) The acromioclavicular and CC ligaments were removed (G0). (3) The CC ligament reconstruction was performed using the Dog Bone technique and the coracoid bone tunnel was at the center of the coracoid base (G1), or (4) 5 mm distal from the G1 site, along the axis of the coracoid (G2), or (5) 10 mm distal from the G1 site, along the axis of the coracoid (G3). The angles of pronation and supination of the clavicles under the same load (30 N) were measured. Next, a finite element (FE) model was created by using computed tomography (CT) images from the normal shoulder. Model 1 (M1), model 2 (M2), and model 3 (M3) correspond to G1, G2, and G3, respectively. A force of 70 N was used as a vertical upward load added to the distal clavicle. Consequently, the von Mises stress and the strain LE along the FiberWire and the displacement nephogram of the three models have been obtained.Results: After single-tunnel CC ligaments fixation using the Dog Bone technique, the clavicles in group G2 (20.50 (19.50, 21.25) °, 20.00 (18.75, 21.25) °) were the most stable (P < 0.001). The peak von Mises stress and the strain LE along the FiberWire, and the maximum displacement in M2 were all smaller than in M1 and M3.Conclusions: When the coracoid bone tunnel is located 5 mm anterior to the center of the coracoid base (along the axis of the coracoid), the clavicle gained greater stability.
Comparison of clinical characteristics of first-episode Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura and TTP-like syndrome: a retrospective cohort study in a level I hematology centre in China
Authors: Dong Guiying , Gao Weibo , Shi Fang-e , Zhang Xiaohui , Zhu Jihong 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Aims: Comparing the characteristics of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and TTP-like syndrome patients at admission to allow early differentiation of TTP from TTP-like syndrome and help tailor initial treatment.Methods: The medical records of 78 patients with suspected TTP in the emergency department of Peking University People’s Hospital in the past five years were retrospectively analyzed retrospectively and divided into TTP and TTP-like syndrome groups based on ADAMTS13 activity and ADAMTS13 antibody titer.Results: There were 25 and 53 patients in the TTP group and the TTP-like syndrome group, respectively. The PLASMIC score was significantly higher in the TTP group than in the TTP-like syndrome group (P=0.006). The TTP group were more susceptible to receiving plasma exchange and glucocorticoids (P<0.001), and also less vulnerable to the plasma infusion (P<0.001). The etiology induced by autoimmune disease was more prominent in the TTP group (P<0.001). The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (P=0.025) was tremendously higher, and albumin (P=0.002) was lower in the TTP-like syndrome group, indicating a more severe infection. Compared with the TTP-like syndrome group, the TTP group had an approximately two-fold to three-fold higher prevalence of central nervous system dysfunction (P<0.001). Also, hemolysis was more substantial in the TTP group as evidenced by higher schistocytes (P<0.001), reticulocyte (P<0.001), total bilirubin (P=0.002), indirect bilirubin (P<0.001), lactate dehydrogenase (P=0.007) and cell-free hemoglobin (P<0.001), simultaneously lower platelet (P<0.001), haptoglobin (P=0.044) and ADAMTS13 activity (P<0.001). The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that the TTP group significantly predicted poor prognosis (log-rank test: X2 =5.368, P=0.021).Conclusion: TTP and TTP-like syndrome are two kinds of distinct phenotypes with different hemolysis statuses and illustrated differentiated inflammatory reactions, target organ damage (TOD), and their clinical outcome.
Apolipoprotein L1 Genetic Variants in Cameroonians with chronic kidney disease: A case control study
Authors: Krystel Kekay , Ambroise Wonkam , Martin Ekiti E. , Francois Kaze F. , Livo Esemu , Gloria Ashuntantang 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background: This study aimed at investigating the apolipoprotein L1 genetic variants in non-diabetic chronic kidney disease among Cameroonians.Methods: A total of 179 non-diabetic CKD (100 cases and 79 controls), matched for; age, sex and comorbidities were included and genotyped by real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Apolipoprotein L1 risk variants at the Division of Human Genetics, University of Cape Town, South Africa and at the National Centre for Filariasis and other Tropical diseases in Yaounde, Cameroon. Cases were patients with a biological or biopsy-proven diagnosis of CKD whereas Controls were patients with a risk factor for CKD except for diabetes with a normal renal function.Results: Frequencies of the two risk alleles was twofold higher amongst cases (29%) compared to the controls (13.9%). The odds of having the two APOL 1 genetic variants (GI/G2) was 2,5folds in cases compared to controls (p=0.016; OR=2.53) in the recessive model of inheritance. The odds were even higher for the APOL1 G1 risk allele in the recessive model of inheritance (p = 0.007; OR 3.91).Conclusion: Apolipoprotein L1 genetic variants are common in the Cameroonians and may contribute to the susceptibility to non-diabetic chronic kidney in this population.
Effect of auricular acupoint acupressure stimulation on the pulmonary function of healthy adults: A randomized, crossover, double-blinded study
Authors: Bu Man-Yun , Ke Shi-Liang , Quan Ying-Chan , Li Hong , Li Yi-Ting , Yu Yi , Tang Zhi-Ming 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
BackgroundThe study aimed to investigate the effect of auricular acupoint acupressure stimulation of the auricular vagus nerve on pulmonary function.MethodsFifteen healthy subjects were enrolled in this randomized, crossover, double-blinded study. All subjects received real and sham stimulation conditions at intervals of more than 24 h. On the real stimulation condition, auricular acupoint sticking with Vaccaria seeds and continuous stimulation of acupressure was delivered on the auricular vagus nerve area., but no Vaccaria seeds and no acupressure were used for the sham stimulation condition. Tidal volume (VT), vital capacity (VC), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), and diaphragmatic excursions (DE) of normal and forced breathing were assessed before and after each stimulation condition.ResultsBefore stimulation, there were no significantly differences of VT, VC, MIP, and DE of normal breathing and forced breathing between real and sham conditions. After stimulation, the change rates of VT ( P = 0.005), VC(P = 0.021), MIP (P = 0.023), DE of normal breathing (P = 0.022) and DE of forced breathing (P < 0.001) was higher on the real condition.ConclusionsAuricular acupoint acupressure stimulation of the auricular vagus nerve can significantly improve pulmonary function, and its use should be promoted in clinical settings.Trial registrationThis study has been registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number: ChiCTR2200058836, Date of registration: 17/04/2022).
A novel REST-regulated lncRNA PCAT-NE1 induces neuroendocrine differentiation in castration-resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Chang Ching-Hsin , Yeh Wayne W. , Cheng Ting-Yu , Luo Yun-Li , Campbell Mel , Kuo Tse-Chun , Shen Tsai-Wen , Hong Yung-Chih , Tsai Cheng-Han , Peng Yu-Ching , Pan Chin-Chen , Yang Muh-Hwa , Shih Jean-Chen , Kung Hsing-Jien , Huang William J. , Chang Pei-Ching , Lin Tzu-Ping 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background Lineage plasticity is recognized as a treatment-induced resistance mechanism in prostate cancer (PCa) and contributes to the development of neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC), a lethal variant of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), that is increasing in the era of second-generation anti-hormonal therapy. At present, there are no effective treatments for NEPC. Conclusions and perspectives Following our long-standing interest in studying RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST), a pivotal repressor of neuroendocrine differentiation (NED), we conducted a siRNA screening targeting 147 REST-repressing long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and identified prostate cancer transcript-neuroendocrine 1 (PCAT-NE1) as a novel lncRNA that induces NED through activating autophagy signaling, crucial for NED of prostate adenocarcinoma cell. Analyses of clinical data and samples indicate that PCAT-NE1 is elevated in NEPC. Through gain- and loss-of-function experiments, we find that PCAT-NE1 promotes NED. Mechanistically, PCAT-NE1 acts as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) that sponge hsa-miR-6889-3p, leading to the up-regulation of autophagy-related gene VPS13A and autophagy activation. These findings provide new insight into lncRNA-mediated mechanism for autophagy activation in NEPC and suggest PCAT-NE1 as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for NEPC.
Oral administration of an antiparasitic agent emamectin benzoate persuades dose-dependent histoarchitectural alterations in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.)
Authors: Abraham Thangapalam Jawahar , Julinta Roy Beryl , Patil Prasanna Kumar 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
A variety of drugs are administered orally to control parasitic diseases in aquaculture. This study assessed the effects of oral dose and dosage of an antiparasitic agent emamectin benzoate (EB) on the safety and kidney, liver, and intestine tissue histoarchitecture of Oreochromis niloticus. The EB-medication for 21 days at the recommended dose caused about 2% mortalities, 25% reduced feed intake, and 6.52% biomass reduction. The results revealed a dose-dependent hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, and intestinal toxic potential of EB and the relationship between medication and the functioning of vital organs. Degeneration of the renal tubules and tubular epithelium, glomerulopathy, vacuolation, inflammation and necrotized renal interstitium were observed in the kidney. The liver tissues had glycogen-type vacuolation, cytoplasmic degeneration, and vacuolation. The intestine exhibited loss of absorptive vacuoles, mucinous degeneration, necrotized intestinal villi, inflammation, and necrotized absorptive region. Lamina propria swelling was noticed in the intestine of the higher dosed groups. With the termination of medication, the specific pathological changes were reduced significantly, indicating the ability of fish to mount adaptive responses to recoup. Though the EB at the recommended dose caused mortalities, reduced feed intake, and biomass during the extended EB-dosing as well as at the higher doses, it is unlikely to produce adverse and irrevocable effects on O. niloticus at the dose of 50 μg/kg biomass/day for 7 consecutive days. The inclusion of EB in the aquaculture medicine list for managing the external parasites would help boost the tropical freshwater fish health and production.
Diurnal Cycle of Precipitation Over Global Monsoon Systems in CMIP6 Simulations
Authors: Tao Cheng , Xie Shaocheng , Tang Shuaiqi , Lee Jiwoo , Ma Hsi-Yen , Zhang Chengzhu , Lin Wuyin 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Accurate simulation of the diurnal cycle of precipitation over different climate regimes, including global monsoon systems, is an ongoing challenge for current state-of-the-art climate models. In this study, the diurnal cycles of summertime precipitation from 21 CMIP6 historical simulations are evaluated with the NASA IMERG data via the diurnal harmonic amplitude and phase from the Fourier analysis in seven regional monsoon systems: Northern and Southern Africa monsoons, South Asia monsoon, East Asia monsoon, Australia monsoon, and North and South America monsoons. Particularly, we focus on four subregions including ocean, coastal ocean, land, and coastal land considering the different underlying physical processes. It is found that the CMIP6 historical simulations perform fairly well on reproducing the diurnal cycle of precipitation over ocean and coastal ocean, while the simulated diurnal harmonic phase and amplitude over land and coastal land show larger biases and model spread compared to biases over ocean and coastal ocean. The simulation of precipitation diurnal cycle is substantially improved in the multi-model mean of both CMIP6 historical and CMIP6 AMIP simulations compared with that of CMIP5 historical simulations. But the model bias of precipitation diurnal cycle is in general similar between CMIP6 AMIP and CMIP6 historical simulations, which suggests that the impact of the interactive ocean on the simulated diurnal precipitation averaged over a large domain is generally minor. The influence of model resolution on the diurnal cycle is shown in mixed directions across various subregions, and significant improvement from the low- to high-resolution models is only notable over coastal ocean.
Effective Traffic Intensity of Prioritized IoT Networks with Packet Deadlines in Non-Preemptive M/M/1/2
Authors: Abdollahi Mehran Pourmohammad , Azarhava Hosein , Haghrah Amiraslan , Niya Javad Musevi 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
The intelligent traffic monitoring would be considered as one of the most important techniques to handle a great deal of data in Internet of Things (IoT) Networks. We consider an IoT network with three class of sensors which transmit their data to a Monitoring Center (MC). The MC with a great demand for fresh data, is equipped with one server and one buffer of capacity equal to one packet as a queueing model, representing an M/M/1/2 system. The characteristics of the group of devices, are specified with high, medium and low priorities, respectively. We consider a Rayleigh fading channel over the links between devices and the MC. We assume a non-preemptive system in the MC so that the packets with lower priority can be replaced by higher priority packets, as well. The arrival packets have different deadlines due to the diversity of information in the network. The average number of successfully served packets are obtained as the effective traffic intensity of the whole network to measure the performance of the system. The simulation results show that increasing the number of classes with priorities, does increase the traffic intensity up to service rate of the monitoring center.
The effect and mechanism of miRNA-140 in exosomes of hypoxic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on articular chondrocytes
Authors: Hu Yuezheng , Liu HaiXiao , Xu Daoliang , Xue Xinhe , Xu Xinxian 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of miRNA-140 in exosomes of hypoxic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on articular chondrocytes. Articular chondrocytes were stimulated with IL-1β (10 μg/ml) to give them an inflammatory state. Exosomes were extracted by differential ultra-high speed centrifugation, and their morphology was identified by transmission electron microscopy. The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, cell scratch assay and flow cytometry method were utilized to assess the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of chondrocytes respectively. Expressions of miR-140, HIF-1α mRNA and mRNA associated with chondrocytes were investigated using quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Western blot was applied to assess the chondrocyte associated proteins Caspase3, Collagen II, HIF-1α, SOX-9 and BMSC-Exo surface protein markers CD9, CD63, TSG101. To observe effects of inflammatory chondrocytes, immunohistochemistry was adopted to detect the staining of Collagen I and Collagen II. Eventually, exosomes’ shape was almost round, and the scratch healing was significantly increased in BMSC-Exo treated groups compared with the IL-1β group (P < 0.001). Additionally, it was found that exosomes in the hypoxic state (Hypoxia-Exo) resulted in higher cellular activity, less apoptosis and enhanced protein expression in inflammatory chondrocytes compared to the normoxic state (Normoxia-Exo), while weakening adipose differentiation and enhancing chondrogenic differentiation. Furthermore, the healing effect of exosomes on inflammatory chondrocytes under hypoxic conditions was produced by a rise in miR-140 expression within them. In conclusion, under hypoxia, miRNA-140 in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell exosomes promotes proliferation and migration of chondrocytes and reduces apoptosis of chondrocytes.
Volumetric fluid analysis of fixed monthly anti-VEGF treatment in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration
Authors: 홍 인환 , Chang In Boem , Yu Hyeong Gon 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background: To evaluate visual outcomes and changes in fluid after administering monthly anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections to treat neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) with subretinal fluid (SRF) and pigment epithelial detachment (PED).Methods: This prospective study included eyes with nAMD previously treated with as needed anti-VEGF injections. The patients were treated with six monthly intravitreal injections of ranibizumab. Quantitative volumetric segmentation analyses of the SRF and PED were performed. The main outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and SRF and PED volumes.Results: Twenty eyes of 20 patients were included in this study. At the 6-month follow-up, BCVA and PED volume did not change significantly (P = 0.110 and 0.999, respectively) but the mean SRF volume decreased from 0.53 ± 0.82 mm3 at baseline to 0.08 ± 0.23 mm3 (P = 0.002). The absorption rate of the SRF volume was negatively correlated with the duration of previous anti-VEGF treatment (P = 0.029). Seven of the 20 eyes (35%) showed a fluid-free macula and significant improvement in BCVA (P = 0.036) by month 6.Conclusions: Quantifying the SRF can precisely determinine the patient’s responsiveness to anti-VEGF treatment.