bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metabolomic Biomarkers to Predict and Diagnose Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Exacerbations: A Systematic Review
Authors: Nguyen Anna-Lisa V. , Haas Dominic , Bouchard Mégane , Quon Bradley S. 
Published: May 2022

IntroductionMetabolomics is an emerging area of research and has the potential to identify clinical biomarkers for predicting or diagnosing cystic fibrosis (CF) pulmonary exacerbations (PEx).ObjectiveTo identify clinically promising metabolites across different sample sources that can be used to predict or diagnose PEx in CF.Evidence ReviewSearches for original literature were completed through EMBASE, MEDLINE, and all databases on the Web of Science with no restrictions on language or publication date. Gray literature was collected through Google Scholar. Additional studies were obtained by contacting authors and searching reference lists of candidate papers. The patient population included individuals with CF. Studies involving patients who underwent lung transplantation were excluded. The outcome was the prediction or diagnosis of pulmonary exacerbations from metabolites directly measured from biological samples. Search results were downloaded and imported into Covidence and duplicates were removed automatically. Any remaining duplicates were manually tagged and excluded. Two independent reviewers screened each abstract for eligibility and repeated this process for full texts. Risk of bias was conducted using QUADAS-2 by two independent reviewers. A third author resolved any remaining conflicts.ResultsA combined 3974 relevant abstracts were identified and 115 full texts were assessed for eligibility. The final 25 studies underwent data extraction for study design, patient demographics, studied metabolites, concentration values, and diagnostic accuracy values. Included studies differed considerably in methodologies, sample specimen types (exhaled breath condensate [EBC], sputum, saliva, plasma, urine), and disease states. We identified 19 unique metabolites that were measured by two or more studies of which 2 have the potential to predict PEx (EBC 4-hydroxycyclohexylcarboxylic acid [4-HCHC] and lactic acid) and 6 to diagnose PEx (EBC 4-HCHC and lactic acid, sputum lactic acid and nitrate, and plasma arginine and methionine).Conclusion and RelevanceThis systematic review has identified promising metabolites for further study in CF. Certain metabolites may provide clinical potential in predicting or diagnosing PEx, but further validation studies are required. With better tools to aid in the earlier identification of PEx, clinicians can implement preventative measures to mitigate airway damage.Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/
Supplementation With Spirulina platensis Improves Tracheal Reactivity in Wistar Rats by Modulating Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
Authors: Brito Aline de F. , Silva Alexandre S. , de Souza Alesandra A. , Ferreira Paula B. , Souza Iara L. L. de , Araujo Layanne C. da C. , da Silva Bagnólia A. 
Published: May 2022

Spirulina platensis has shown effectiveness in the treatment of allergic rhinitis in rats, but its action in tracheal reactivity or on markers of relaxation and antioxidant profile has not yet been possible to determine. In this paper, the animals were divided into the groups healthy (SG) and supplemented with S. platensis at doses of 50 (SG50), 150 (SG150), and 500 mg/kg (SG500). We also evaluated nitrite levels, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant activity through biochemical analysis. For contractile reactivity, only SG500 (pEC50 = 5.2 ± 0.06 showed reduction in carbachol contractile potency. Indomethacin caused a higher contractile response to carbachol in SG150 and SG500. For relaxation, curves for SG150 (pEC50 = 5.0 ± 0.05) and SG500 (pEC50 = 7:3 ± 0:02) were shifted to the left, more so in SG500. We observed an increase in nitrite in the trachea only with supplementation of 500 mg/kg (54.0 ± 8.0 µM), also when compared to SG50 (37.0 ± 10.0 µM) and SG150 (38.0 ± 7.0 µM). We observed a decrease in lipid peroxidation in the plasma and an increase in oxidation inhibition for the trachea and lung in SG150 and SG500, suggesting enhanced antioxidant activity. S. platensis (150/500 mg/kg) decreased the contractile response and increased relaxation by increasing antioxidant activity and nitrite levels and modulating the inflammatory response.
Characterizing CD38 Expression and Enzymatic Activity in the Brain of Spontaneously Hypertensive Stroke-Prone Rats
Authors: Hannawi Yousef , Ewees Mohamed G. , Moore Jordan T. , Zweier Jay L. 
Published: May 2022

Background: CD38 is a transmembrane glycoprotein that catabolizes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and is the main source for the age-dependent decrease in NAD+ levels. Increased CD38 enzymatic activity has been implicated in several neurological diseases. However, its role in the pathogenesis of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) remains unknown. We aimed to characterize CD38 expression and enzymatic activity in the brain of spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rats (SHRSP), a genetic model for hypertension and human CSVD, in comparison to age-matched normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY).Materials and Methods: Age-matched male 7- and 24-week-old WKY and SHRSP were studied. CD38 enzymatic activity was determined in the brain homogenate. Immunohistochemistry and Western Blotting (WB) were used to characterize CD38 expression and localize it in the different cell types within the brain. In addition, expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms and the levels of nitric oxide (NO), superoxide, nicotinamide dinucleotide (phosphate) NAD(P)H were measured the brain of in WKY and SHRSP.Results: CD38 expression and enzymatic activity were increased in SHRSP brains compared to age matched WKY starting at 7 weeks of age. CD38 expression was localized to the endothelial cells, astrocytes, and microglia. We also identified increased CD38 expression using WB with age in SHRSP and WKY. CD38 enzymatic activity was also increased in 24-week SHRSP compared to 7-week SHRSP. In association, we identified evidence of oxidative stress, reduced NO level, reduced NAD(P)H level and endothelial NOS expression in SHRSP compared to age matched WKY. NAD(P)H also decreased with age in WKY and SHRSP. Additionally, activation of astrocytes and microglia were present in SHRSP compared to WKY.Conclusions: CD38 is overexpressed, and its enzymatic activity is increased in SHRSP, a genetic model for marked hypertension and human CSVD. Our results suggest a potential role for CD38 enzymatic activation in the pathogenesis of CSVD and points to the need for future mechanistic and pharmacological studies.
Knowledge on Multi-Drug Resistant Pathogens, Antibiotic Use and Self-Reported Adherence to Antibiotic Intake: A Population-Based Cross Sectional Survey From Pakistan
Authors: Arshad Hafsa , Gillani Ali Hassan , Akbar Jamshaid , Abbas Huda , Bashir Ahmed Asma , Gillani Syed Nouman Hassan , Anum Rabeea , Ji Wenjing , Fang Yu 
Published: May 2022

Objective: Surveying public awareness of antibiotic use and antibiotics can identify factors relevant to the design of effective educational campaigns. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to antibiotic use and multidrug-resistant pathogens in the general population in Pakistan.Research Design and Methods: Cross-sectional survey was conducted, using a 60 itemed structured questionnaire and recruited individuals by convenient sampling from the general population in the four provinces of the country. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the responses and the chi squared statistic was used to assess differences between groups.Results: The response rate was 87.6% (6,684 out of 7,631 individuals). Half of the respondents had received at least one prescription of antibiotics in the 6 months preceding the survey. Knowledge about antibiotic use, (39.8%) individuals scored above the mean (≥3) showed good knowledge about antibiotic use. Urban residents and male showed significant higher knowledge (p &lt; 0.001) about antibiotic use. Approximately 50% of the respondents correctly answered the question about antibiotic resistance. Of the 3,611 received antibiotics, 855 (23.7%) were indicated for cough, 497 (13.8%) for a sore throat, 335 (9.3%) for ear ache, 665 (18.4%) for a burning sensation during urination, 667 (18.4%) for wounds or soft tissue inflammation. MDR pathogen was perceived as an important topic by (4,010) 60.1% of respondents.Conclusion: Participants were aware of the problem of multidrug-resistant pathogens and understood the responsibility of each individual to avoid the spread of these infectious agents.
Regulatory T Cell-Related Gene Indicators in Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Liu Yan , Shi Jun-Zhuo , Jiang Rong , Liu Shao-Fei , He Yang-Yang , van der Vorst Emiel P. C. , Weber Christian , Döring Yvonne , Yan Yi 
Published: May 2022

Objective:Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are critical immune modulators to maintain immune homeostasis and limit pulmonary hypertension (PH). This study was aimed to identify Treg-related genes (TRGs) in PH.Methods:The gene expression profile from lungs of PH patients was retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The abundance of Tregs was estimated by the xCell algorithm, the correlation of which with differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was performed. DEGs with a |Pearson correlation coefficient| &gt;0.4 were identified as TRGs. Functional annotation and the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network were analyzed. A gene signature for 25 hub TRGs (TRGscore) was generated by a single sample scoring method to determine its accuracy to distinguish PH from control subjects. TRGs were validated in datasets of transcriptional profiling of PH cohorts and in lung tissues of experimental PH mice.Results:A total of 819 DEGs were identified in lungs of 58 PAH patients compared to that of 25 control subjects of dataset GSE117261. In total, 165 of all these DEGs were correlated with the abundance of Tregs and identified as TRGs, with 90 upregulated genes and 75 downregulated genes compared to that of control subjects. The upregulated TRGs were enriched in negative regulation of multiple pathways, such as cAMP-mediated signaling and I-kappaB kinase/NF-kappaB signaling, and regulated by multiple genes encoding transcriptional factors including HIF1A. Furthermore, 25 hub genes categorized into three clusters out of 165 TRGs were derived, and we identified 27 potential drugs targeting 10 hub TRGs. The TRGscore based on 25 hub TRGs was higher in PH patients and could distinguish PH from control subjects (all AUC &gt;0.7). Among them, 10 genes includingNCF2, MNDA/Ifi211, HCK, FGR, CSF3R, AQP9, S100A8, G6PD/G6pdx, PGD,andTXNRD1were significantly reduced in lungs of severe PH patients of dataset GSE24988 as well as in lungs of hypoxic PH mice compared to corresponding controls.Conclusion:Our finding will shed some light on the Treg-associated therapeutic targets in the progression of PH and emphasize on TRGscore as a novel indicator for PH.
Effects of Hypertrophic and Dilated Cardiac Geometric Remodeling on Ejection Fraction
Authors: Zheng Yu , Chan Wei Xuan , Charles Christopher J. , Richards A. Mark , Sampath Smita , Abu Bakar Ali Asad , Leo Hwa Liang , Yap Choon Hwai 
Published: May 2022

Background: Both heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) can present a wide variety of cardiac morphologies consequent to cardiac remodeling. We sought to study if geometric changes to the heart during such remodeling will adversely affect the ejection fraction (EF) parameter’s ability to serve as an indicator of heart function, and to identify the mechanism for it.Methods and Results: A numerical model that simulated the conversion of myocardial strain to stroke volume was developed from two porcine animal models of heart failure. Hypertrophic wall thickening was found to elevate EF, while left ventricle (LV) dilation was found to depress EF when myocardial strain was kept constant, causing EF to inaccurately represent the overall strain function. This was caused by EF being calculated using the endocardial boundary rather than the mid-wall layer. Radial displacement of the endocardial boundary resulted in endocardial strain deviating from the overall LV strain, and this deviation varied with LV geometric changes. This suggested that using the epi- or endo-boundaries to calculate functional parameters was not effective, and explained why EF could be adversely affected by geometric changes. Further, when EF was modified by calculating it at the mid-wall layer instead of at the endocardium, this shortcoming was resolved, and the mid-wall EF could differentiate between healthy and HFpEF subjects in our animal models, while the traditional EF could not.Conclusion: We presented the mechanism to explain why EF can no longer effectively indicate cardiac function during cardiac geometric changes relevant to HF remodeling, losing the ability to distinguish between hypertrophic diseased hearts from healthy hearts. Measuring EF at the mid-wall location rather than endocardium can avoid the shortcoming and better represent the cardiac strain function.
Mapping Glucose Uptake, Transport and Metabolism in the Bovine Lens Cortex
Authors: Zahraei Ali , Guo George , Varnava Kyriakos G. , Demarais Nicholas J. , Donaldson Paul J. , Grey Angus C. 
Published: May 2022

Purpose: To spatially correlate the pattern of glucose uptake to glucose transporter distributions in cultured lenses and map glucose metabolism in different lens regions.Methods:Ex vivo bovine lenses were incubated in artificial aqueous humour containing normoglycaemic stable isotopically-labelled (SIL) glucose (5 mM) for 5 min-20 h. Following incubations, lenses were frozen for subsequent matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation (MALDI) imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) analysis using high resolution mass spectrometry. Manually dissected, SIL-incubated lenses were subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to verify the identity of metabolites detected by MALDI-IMS. Normal, unincubated lenses were manually dissected into epithelium flat mounts and fibre cell fractions and then subjected to either gel-based proteomic analysis (Gel-LC/MS) to detect facilitative glucose transporters (GLUTs) by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Indirect immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy of axial lens sections from unincubated fixed lenses labelled with primary antibodies specific for GLUT 1 or GLUT 3 were utilised for protein localisation.Results: SIL glucose uptake at 5 min was concentrated in the equatorial region of the lens. At later timepoints, glucose gradually distributed throughout the epithelium and the cortical lens fibres, and eventually the deeper lens nucleus. SIL glucose metabolites found in glycolysis, the sorbitol pathway, the pentose phosphate pathway, and UDP-glucose formation were mapped to specific lens regions, with distinct regional signal changes up to 20 h of incubation. Spatial proteomic analysis of the lens epithelium detected GLUT1 and GLUT3. GLUT3 was in higher abundance than GLUT1 throughout the epithelium, while GLUT1 was more abundant in lens fibre cells. Immunohistochemical mapping localised GLUT1 to epithelial and cortical fibre cell membranes.Conclusion: The major uptake site of glucose in the bovine lens has been mapped to the lens equator. SIL glucose is rapidly metabolised in epithelial and fibre cells to many metabolites, which are most abundant in the metabolically more active cortical fibre cells in comparison to central fibres, with low levels of metabolic activity observed in the nucleus.
Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Urdu Version of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) in Male Patients With Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) in Pakistan
Authors: Shahzad Salman , Bano Nasreen , Begum Nasreen , Jones Hendrée E. 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundAdults with substance use disorders (SUDs) often have co-occurring mental health problems. Emotion regulation may play a vital role in mental health problems. The Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) is a widely used measure for assessing cognitive emotion regulation. However, it has not been used in Pakistan on patients with co-occurring SUDs and mental health issues. The present study aims to translate and adapt the CERQ into the Urdu language and to determine its reliability and convergent validity in a sample of male patients with SUDs in Pakistan.MethodParticipants completed a demographic information form, the CERQ, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale Short Form [DASS-21)], and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale [RSES)] in Urdu.ResultsMale participants (N = 237) 18–50 years of age (M = 29.8, SD = 8.1) were recruited from four substance use disorder treatment centers and hospitals in Karachi. The reliability of the Urdu version of the CERQ was based on an examination of its internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α) and test–retest reliability for both the total scale and its subscales. Internal consistency for the CERQ total (α = 0.80) was adequate, as it was for subscales of self-blame, (0.76) acceptance (0.78), rumination (0.72), positive refocusing (0.79), focus on planning (0.89), positive reappraisal (0.81), putting into perspective (0.83), catastrophizing (0.73), and other blame (0.70). The 10–14 day test–retest reliability of the CERQ total score was 0.86. Higher CERQ scores were significantly (ps &lt; 0.001) negatively associated with DASS-21depression (r = –0.24), anxiety (r = –0.23), and stress (r = –0.27) subscales, as well as the DASS-21 total score (r = –0.26) and positively associated with the RSES self-esteem score (r = 0.30).ConclusionThe Urdu version of the CERQ is a reliable measure for investigating cognitive emotion regulation strategies related to mental health and SUDs in Pakistan.
Predicting Anxiety and Depression Among Patients With COVID-19 in Concentrated Isolation at Medical Camps in Vietnam: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Trang Vu Thi Thu , Huynh Khoa Le Anh , Truong Huyen Thi , Nguyen Hue Thi , Hoang Giang Truong , Dao Dat Quang , Van Vu Ut , Hassan Zair , Nguyen My Ngoc Ha , Truong Le Van 
Published: May 2022

IntroductionThis study aims to assess the requirement for anxiety and depression treatment for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in medical camps in Bac Giang province, Vietnam. This information can help improve the government policy to reduce anxiety and depression in patients with COVID-19.MethodsA total of patients with 427 COVID-19 participated in the survey conducted from 5 to 15 June 2021 in Bac Giang province. The survey included 17 questions about the general characteristics of the patients, 15 questions to assess common COVID-19 symptoms, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scores, and four questions to assess hospital reviews, including facilities, food, medical staff, and living conditions. Logistics regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between COVID-19 symptoms and high anxiety and depression (HAD) status.ResultsA logistic regression analysis evaluated the risk factors in need of intervention. Our study showed that lower hospital review scores (odd ratio = 0.98; 95% confident interval = 0.97–0.99) were found to be a risk needing intervention. It was also identified that older patients (odd ratio = 1.1; 95% confident interval = 1.03–1.18), women (odd ratio = 1.31; 95% confident interval = 1.09–1.31), patients who were primary income earners in the family (odd ratio = 1.15; 95% confident interval = 1.03–1.28), patients who had headaches (odd ratio = 1.16; 95% confident interval = 1.06–1.21), and patients who had joint pain (odd ratio = 1.17; 95% confident interval = 1.06– 1.3) were risk factors for HAD status.ConclusionOur research shows that every 10-year age increase was associated with a 10% increase in the likelihood of HAD status. Study subjects being primary income earners were also associated with a 15% increased risk of having HAD status. This study showed that a decrease in family income due to COVID-19 caused an increase in high-level anxiety/depression status.
Patterns of Sexually Transmitted Co-infections and Associated Factors Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Cross-Sectional Study in Shenyang, China
Authors: Ye Ze-Hao , Chen Shuo , Liu Fan , Cui Si-Tong , Liu Zhao-Zhen , Jiang Yong-Jun , Hu Qing-Hai 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundMen who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We sought to describe patterns of sexually transmitted co-infections and explore factors associated with increased acquisition of STIs among MSM.MethodsWe enrolled MSM in Shenyang, China, between July and December 2020 to test for four STIs, including human papillomavirus (HPV), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and Treponema pallidum (TP). Data regarding demographic and behavioral characteristics of participants were collected through a self-administered digital questionnaire. We adopted the ordinal logistic regression model to identify factors associated with acquiring more STIs.ResultsOverall, 177 participants with completed test results for all four STIs were analyzed. These participants had a median age of 29.0 (interquartile range: 23.0–38.0) years. The prevalence of STI co-infections was 23.7% [42/177; 95% confidence interval (CI), 17.8%−30.8%], among which HPV/CT (47.1%) and HPV/CT/NG (50.0%) co-infection were the predominant types among participants with dual and multiple infections, respectively. Participants who had a higher educational background [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 0.46; 95% CI, 0.24–0.85; P = 0.014] and had a history of STIs (aOR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.24–5.18; P = 0.011) were positively associated with acquiring more STIs.ConclusionsMSM in Shenyang suffer a substantial burden of sexually transmitted co-infections. An optimized multi-STI integration strategy targeting prevention, surveillance, screening, and treatment is warranted to reduce the prevalence of sexually transmitted co-infections, especially in less-educated MSM.
Mental Health Status and Its Impact on TB Treatment and Its Outcomes: A Scoping Literature Review
Authors: Agbeko Charles Kwaku , Mallah Manthar Ali , He Biyu , Liu Qiao , Song Huan , Wang Jianming 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) infection interferes with the health-related quality of life (HRQOL), including physical, social, mental, emotional and financial domains of individuals. The goal of this scoping review is to outline the most frequent mental issues encountered by TB patients and evaluate the effects of mental health on TB treatment outcomes. Our findings identify research gaps that could help bridge the overall treatment outcomes in the near future.MethodA systematic stepwise approach was adopted to search online resource databases like PubMed, Web of science, and gray literature to retrieve published scientific articles for the review. Titles and abstracts of selected studies were examined for their possible eligibility. The studies matching our eligibility criteria were taken into account for this scoping review.ResultsOne hundred and ninety three articles were retrieved out of which 26 met the final inclusion criteria. We found that studies adopting interventional approaches reported good mental wellbeing outcomes and better medical compliance as compared with studies that just investigated the subjects. The data represented 15 countries including three low-income countries (LICs), four low-middle-income-countries (LMICs), seven upper-middle-income countries (UMICs), and one high-income country (HIC).ConclusionDepression, anxiety, and poor social support, and stigma affect the wellbeing of individuals across the globe irrespective of age, race, demographic characteristics, geographical location, and social status.