bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Markers of systemic inflammation are positively associated with influenza vaccine antibody responses with a possible role for ILT2(+)CD57(+) NK-cells
Authors: Picard Emilie , Armstrong Sarah , Andrew Melissa K. , Haynes Laura , Loeb Mark , Pawelec Graham , Kuchel George A. , McElhaney Janet E. , Verschoor Chris P. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
With increasing age, overall health declines while systemic levels of inflammatory mediators tend to increase. Although the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood, there is a wealth of data suggesting that this so-called “inflammaging” contributes to the risk of adverse outcomes in older adults. We sought to determine whether markers of systemic inflammation were associated with antibody responses to the seasonal influenza vaccine.

Results
Over four seasons, hemagglutination inhibition antibody titres and ex vivo bulk peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) responses to live influenza viruses assessed via interferon (IFN)-γ/interleukin (IL)-10 production, were measured pre- and 4-weeks post-vaccination in young adults (n = 79) and older adults randomized to standard- or high-dose inactivated vaccine (n = 612). Circulating tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) were also measured pre-vaccination. Post-vaccination antibody titres were significantly associated with systemic inflammatory levels; specifically, IL-6 was positively associated with A/H3N2 titres in young adults (Cohen’s d = 0.36), and in older high-dose, but not standard-dose recipients, all systemic inflammatory mediators were positively associated with A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and B titres (d = 0.10–0.45). We further show that the frequency of ILT2(+)CD57(+) CD56-Dim natural killer (NK)-cells was positively associated with both plasma IL-6 and post-vaccination A/H3N2 titres in a follow-up cohort of older high-dose recipients (n = 63). Pathway analysis suggested that ILT2(+)CD57(+) Dim NK-cells mediated 40% of the association between IL-6 and A/H3N2 titres, which may be related to underlying participant frailty.

Conclusions
In summary, our data suggest a complex relationship amongst influenza vaccine responses, systemic inflammation and NK-cell phenotype in older adults, which depends heavily on age, vaccine dose and possibly overall health status. While our results suggest that “inflammaging” may increase vaccine immunogenicity in older adults, it is yet to be determined whether this enhancement contributes to improved protection against influenza disease.
Ankle–foot orthosis with an oil damper versus nonarticulated ankle–foot orthosis in the gait of patients with subacute stroke: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yamamoto Sumiko , Motojima Naoyuki , Kobayashi Yosuke , Osada Yuji , Tanaka Souji , Daryabor Aliyeh 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Gait improvement in patients with stroke has been examined in terms of use or non-use of an ankle–foot orthosis (AFO), but the effects of different kinds of AFOs remain unclear. In this study, the effect on gait of using an AFO with an oil damper (AFO-OD), which has plantarflexion stiffness without dorsiflexion resistance, was compared with a nonarticulated AFO, which has both dorsiflexion and plantarflexion stiffness, in a randomized controlled trial.

Methods
Forty-one patients (31 men, 10 women; mean age 58.4 ± 11.3 years) in the subacute phase of stroke were randomly allocated to two groups to undergo gait training for 1 h daily over 2 weeks by physiotherapists while wearing an AFO-OD or a nonarticulated AFO. A motion capture system was utilized to measure shod gait without orthosis at baseline and after training with the allocated AFO. Data analysis focused on the joint kinematics and kinetics, spatial and temporal parameters, ground reaction force, and shank-to-vertical angle. Unpaired t-test or Mann–Whitney U test was performed to clarify the difference in gait with an AFO between the two AFO groups after training, with a significance level of p = 0.05.

Results
Thirty-six patients completed the study (17 in the AFO-OD group and 19 in the nonarticulated AFO group). The ankle joint was more dorsiflexed in single stance (p = 0.008, effect size r = 0.46) and peak ankle power absorption was larger in stance (p = 0.007, r = 0.55) in the AFO-OD group compared with the nonarticulated AFO group. Peak power absorption varied among patients in the AFO-OD group. Increased dorsiflexion angles were also found at initial contact (p = 0.008, r = 1.51), pre-swing (p = 0.045, r = 0.91), and the swing phase (p = 0.045, r = 0.91) in the AFO-OD group. There was no difference in peak plantarflexion moment, ankle power generation, spatial or temporal parameters, ground reaction force, or shank-to-vertical angle between the two groups.

Conclusions
The results of this study showed that an AFO with plantarflexion stiffness but without dorsiflexion resistance produced greater improvement in ankle joint kinematics and kinetics compared with the nonarticulated AFO, but the results of peak power absorption varied greatly among patients.
Trial registration UMIN000028126, Registered 1 August 2017, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-bin/icdr/ctr_menu_form_reg.cgi?recptno=R000032197
Lobbying and nutrition policy in Canada: a quantitative descriptive study on stakeholder interactions with government officials in the context of Health Canada’s Healthy Eating Strategy
Authors: Gaucher-Holm Alexa , Mulligan Christine , L’Abbé Mary R. , Potvin Kent Monique , Vanderlee Lana 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
The political activities of industry stakeholders must be understood to safeguard the development and implementation of effective public health policies.

Methods
A quantitative descriptive study was performed using data from Canada’s Registry of Lobbyists to examine the frequency and governmental target of lobbying that occurred between various types of stakeholders (i.e., industry versus non-industry) and designated public office holders (DPOH) regarding Health Canada’s Healthy Eating Strategy, from September/2016 to January/2021. Initiatives of interest were revisions to Canada’s Food Guide, changes to the nutritional quality of the food supply, front-of-pack nutrition labelling and restrictions on food marketing to children.

Results
The majority of registrants (88%), and corporations and organizations (90%) represented in lobbying registrations had industry ties. Industry-affiliated stakeholders were responsible for 86% of communications with DPOH, interacting more frequently with DPOH of all ranks, compared to non-industry stakeholders. Most organizations and corporations explicitly registered to lobby on the topic of marketing to children (60%), followed by Canada’s Food Guide (48%), front-of-pack nutrition labelling (44%), and the nutritional quality of the food supply (23%). The food and beverage industry, particularly the dairy industry, was the most active, accounting for the greatest number of lobbying registrations and communications, followed by the media and communication industry.

Conclusions
Results suggest a strategic advantage of industry stakeholders in influencing Canadian policymakers. While some safeguards have been put in place, increased transparency would allow for a better understanding of industry discourse and help protect public health interests during the policy development process.
Detection of Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus in low-concentration virus-infected seeds by improved one-step pre-amplification RT-qPCR
Authors: Xinying Yin , Xin Li , Lili Yang , Qiuyue Zheng , Yongzhe Piao , Jijuan Cao 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Seeds were an important medium for long-distance transmission of plant viruses. Therefore, appropriate, more sensitive methods for detecting low concentrations of virus-infected in seeds were crucial to ensure the quality of seed lots. In this study, we have developed a one-step pre-amplification reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assay based on the TaqMan technology to detect Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) in zucchini seeds.

Result
Seed powder samples with simulated CGMMV-infected at a low concentration were prepared (the mass ratio 1:900 and 1:1000), and their uniformity were verified using one-step pre-amplification RT-qPCR. We used one-step pre-amplification RT-qPCR to detect CGMMV in low-concentration virus-infected seeds and compared this method with universal RT-qPCR and double antibody sandwich–enzyme-linked immunosorbent (DAS–ELISA) assay, the main methods used for virus detection in seeds. The minimum limit of detection (LOD) of the improved one-step pre-amplification RT-qPCR assays for simulated CGMMV-infected seeds in large lots seeds samples were 0.1%.

Conclusions
One-step pre-amplification RT-qPCR assays could reliably and stably detected a single CGMMV-infected seed in 1000 seeds and demonstrated a higher detection sensitivity than universal RT-qPCR (infected seeds versus healthy seeds 1:900) and DAS–ELISA assay (infected seeds versus healthy seeds 1:500). Our improved one-step pre-amplification RT-qPCR assay have proved to be very suitable for the analysis of large seed lots.

Graphical Abstract
Vacuum-assisted closure versus on-demand relaparotomy in patients with secondary peritonitis—the VACOR trial: protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Rajabaleyan Pooya , Michelsen Jens , Tange Holst Uffe , Möller Sören , Toft Palle , Luxhøi Jan , Buyukuslu Musa , Bohm Aske Mathias , Borly Lars , Sandblom Gabriel , Kobborg Martin , Aagaard Poulsen Kristian , Schou Løve Uffe , Ovesen Sophie , Grant Sølling Christoffer , Mørch Søndergaard Birgitte , Lund Lomholt Marianne , Ritz Møller Dorthe , Qvist Niels , Bremholm Ellebæk Mark ,   The VACOR study group, Michelsen Jens , Holst Uffe Tange , Möller Sören , Toft Palle , Luxhøi Jan , Buyukuslu Musa , Bohm Aske Mathias , Borly Lars , Sandblom Gabriel , Kobborg Martin , Poulsen Kristian Aagaard , Løve Uffe Schou , Ovesen Sophie , Sølling Christoffer Grant , Søndergaard Birgitte Mørch , Lomholt Marianne Lund , Møller Dorthe Ritz , Qvist Niels , Ellebæk Mark Bremholm 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Secondary peritonitis is a severe condition with a 20–32% reported mortality. The accepted treatment modalities are vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) or primary closure with relaparotomy on-demand (ROD). However, no randomised controlled trial has been completed to compare the two methods potential benefits and disadvantages.

Methods
This study will be a randomised controlled multicentre trial, including patients aged 18 years or older with purulent or faecal peritonitis confined to at least two of the four abdominal quadrants originating from the small intestine, colon, or rectum. Randomisation will be web-based to either primary closure with ROD or VAC in blocks of 2, 4, and 6. The primary endpoint is peritonitis-related complications within 30 or 90 days and one year after index operation. Secondary outcomes are comprehensive complication index (CCI) and mortality after 30 or 90 days and one year; quality of life assessment by (SF-36) after three and 12 months, the development of incisional hernia after 12 months assessed by clinical examination and CT-scanning and healthcare resource utilisation. With an estimated superiority of 15% in the primary outcome for VAC, 340 patients must be included. Hospitals in Denmark and Europe will be invited to participate.

Discussion
There is no robust evidence for choosing either open abdomen with VAC treatment or primary closure with relaparotomy on-demand in patients with secondary peritonitis. The present study has the potential to answer this important clinical question.

Trial Registration

The study protocol has been registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03932461). Protocol version 1.0, 9 January 2022.
The prognostic significance of postoperative hyperbilirubinemia in cardiac surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Raveendran Dev , Penny-Dimri Jahan C. , Segal Reny , Smith Julian A. , Plummer Mark , Liu Zhengyang , Perry Luke A. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Hyperbilirubinemia following cardiac surgery is a common phenomenon and is of emerging interest in prognostic factor research. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the association between post-operative hyperbilirubinemia (PH) and mortality and morbidity in cardiac surgery patients.

Methods
Ovid Medline and Ovid Embase were searched from inception to July 2020 for studies evaluating the prognostic significance of PH following cardiac surgery. Maximally adjusted odds ratios (OR) with associated confidence intervals were obtained from each study and pooled using random effects inverse variance modelling to assess in-hospital mortality. Standardised mean differences were pooled to assess Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay (LOS). Qualitative analysis was performed to assess ventilation requirements and long-term mortality. Meta-regression was used to assess inter- and intra-study heterogeneity.

Results
3251 studies satisfied the selection criteria, from which 12 studies incorporating 3876 participants were included. PH significantly predicted in-hospital mortality with a pooled OR of 7.29 (95% CI 3.53, 15.09). Multiple pre-defined covariates contributed to the prognostic significance of PH, however only aortic cross-clamp time (p < 0.0001) and number of transfusions (p = 0.0001) were significant effect modifiers. PH significantly predicted both ICU LOS (Mean difference 1.32 [95% CI 0.04–2.6]) and hospital LOS (Mean difference 1.79 [95% CI 0.36–3.21]). Qualitative analysis suggested PH is associated with increased post-operative ventilation requirements and reduced long-term survival rates.

Conclusions
Hyperbilirubinemia is a cost-effective, widely available prognostic marker of adverse outcomes following cardiac surgery, albeit with residual sources of heterogeneity.
Carbon dioxide and particulate emissions from the 2013 Tasmanian firestorm: implications for Australian carbon accounting
Authors: Ndalila Mercy N. , Williamson Grant J. , Bowman David M. J. S. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundUncontrolled wildfires in Australian temperateEucalyptusforests produce significant smoke emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2) and particulates. Emissions from fires in these ecosystems, however, have received less research attention than the fires in North American conifer forests or frequently burned Australian tropical savannas. Here, we use the 2013 Forcett–Dunalley fire that caused the first recorded pyrocumulonimbus event in Tasmania, to understand CO2and particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions from a severeEucalyptusforest fire. We investigate the spatial patterns of the two emissions using a fine scale mapping of vegetation and fire severity (50 m resolution), and utilising available emission factors suitable for Australian vegetation types. We compare the results with coarse-scale (28 km resolution) emissions estimates from Global Fire Emissions Database (GFED) to determine the reliability of the global model in emissions estimation.ResultsThe fine scale inventory yielded total CO2emission of 1.125 ± 0.232 Tg and PM2.5emission of 0.022 ± 0.006 Tg, representing a loss of 56 t CO2ha−1and 1 t PM2.5 ha−1. The CO2emissions were comparable to GFED estimates, but GFED PM2.5estimates were lower by a factor of three. This study highlights the reliability of GFED for CO2but not PM2.5for estimating emissions fromEucalyptusforest fires. Our fine scale and GFED estimates showed that the Forcett–Dunalley fire produced 30% of 2013 fire carbon emissions in Tasmania, and 26–36% of mean annual fire emissions for the State, representing a significant single source of emissions.ConclusionsOur analyses highlight the need for improved PM2.5emission factors specific to Australian vegetation, and better characterisation of fuel loads, particularly coarse fuel loads, to quantify wildfire particulate and greenhouse gas emissions more accurately. Current Australian carbon accountancy approach of excluding large wildfires from final GHG accounts likely exaggerates Tasmania’s claim to carbon neutrality; we therefore recommend that planned and unplanned emissions are included in the final national and state greenhouse gas accounting to international conventions. Advancing these issues is important given the trajectory of more frequent large fires driven by anthropogenic climate change.
Congenital hydrocephalus in a trisomy 9p gained child: a case report
Authors: Henningsen Mikkel Bak , Gulisano Helga Angela , Bjarkam Carsten Reidies 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Hydrocephalus caused by excessive liquor production due to choroid plexus hyperplasia is a rare condition that may necessitate unusual treatment paradigms. It can be seen in trisomy 9p where coexisting congenital heart disease additionally may complicate the therapeutic approach as illustrated in the current case report.

Case presentation
At 20 months of age, a Caucasian girl with trisomy 9 and family history of an older brother and twin sister having the same syndrome displayed sign of congenital hydrocephalus due to increasing head circumference. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed enlarged lateral ventricles and a prominent choroid plexus, and the girl was treated with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, which 2 days later had to be replaced with a ventriculoatrial shunt as cerebrospinal fluid formation greatly exceeded the ability of the patient’s abdominal absorptive capability. At 16 years of age, the patient was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and diminished ejection fraction. Some months later, she was admitted to the neurosurgical ward showing signs of shunt dysfunction due to a colloid cyst in the third ventricle. Cystic drainage through endoscopic puncture only helped temporarily. Revision of the shunt system showed occlusion of the ventricular drain, and replacement was merely temporary alleviating. Intracerebral pressure was significantly increased at around 30 mmHg, prompting externalization of the drain, and measurements revealed high cerebrospinal fluid production of 60–100 ml liquor per hour. Thus, endoscopic choroid plexus coagulation was performed bilaterally leading to an immediate decrease of daily cerebrospinal fluid formation to 20–30 ml liquor per hour, and these values where stabilized by pharmaceutical treatment with acetazolamide 100 mg/kg/day and furosemide 1 mg/kg/day. Subsequently a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed. Follow-up after 1 and 2 months displayed no signs of hydrocephalus or ascites.

Conclusions
High cerebrospinal fluid volume load and coexisting heart disease in children with trisomy 9p may call for endoscopic choroid plexus coagulation and pharmacological therapy to diminish the daily cerebrospinal fluid production to volumes that allow proper ventriculoperitoneal shunting.
Human-induced pluripotent stem cells-derived retinal pigmented epithelium, a new horizon for cells-based therapies for age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Dehghan Samaneh , Mirshahi Reza , Shoae-Hassani Alireza , Naseripour Masood 
Published: May 2022

AbstractRetinal pigment epithelium (RPE) degeneration is the hallmark of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD, as one of the most common causes of irreversible visual impairment worldwide, remains in need of an appropriate approach to restore retinal function. Wet AMD, which is characterized by neovascular formation, can be stabilized by currently available therapies, including laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy, and intraocular injections of anti-VEFG (anti-vascular endothelial growth factor) therapy or a combination of these modalities. Unlike wet AMD, there is no effective therapy for progressive dry (non-neovascular) AMD. However, stem cell-based therapies, a part of regenerative medicine, have shown promising results for retinal degenerative diseases such as AMD. The goal of RPE cell therapy is to return the normal structure and function of the retina by re-establishing its interaction with photoreceptors, which is essential to vision. Considering the limited source of naturally occurring RPE cells, recent progress in stem cell research has allowed the generation of RPE cells from human pluripotent cells, both embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). Since iPSCs face neither ethical arguments nor significant immunological considerations when compared to ESCs, they open a new horizon for cell therapy of AMD. The current study aims to discuss AMD, review the protocols for making human iPSCs-derived RPEs, and summarize recent developments in the field of iPSC-derived RPEs cell therapy.
BHLHE40 promotes osteoclastogenesis and abnormal bone resorption via c-Fos/NFATc1
Authors: Zhang Yufeng , Yang Min , Zhang Sheng , Yang Zhiqiang , Zhu Yufan , Wang Yi , Chen Zhe , Lv Xuan , Huang Zan , Xie Yuanlong , Cai Lin 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundDysregulated osteoclast activity due to altered osteoclast differentiation causes multiple bone diseases. Osteoclasts are multinucleated giant cells derived from hematopoietic stem cells and play a major role in bone absorption. However, the mechanisms underlying the tight regulation of osteoclast differentiation in multiple pathophysiological status remain unknown.ResultsWe showed that Bhlhe40 upregulation is tightly associated with osteoclast differentiation and osteoporosis. Functionally, Bhlhe40 promoted osteoclast differentiation in vitro, and Bhlhe40 deficiency led to increased bone mass and decreased osteoclast differentiation in vivo. Moreover, Bhlhe40 deficient mice resisted estrogen deficiency and aging-induced osteoporosis. Mechanism study showed that the increase in bone mass due to Bhlhe40 deficiency was a cell intrinsic defect in osteoclast differentiation in these mice. BHLHE40 upregulated the gene expression of Fos and Nfatc1 by directly binding to their promoter regions. Notably, inhibition of Fos/Nfatc1 abrogated the enhanced osteoclast differentiation induced by BHLHE40 overexpression.ConclusionsOur research reveals a novel Bhlhe40/c-Fos/Nfatc1 axis involved in regulating osteoclastogenesis and shows that osteoporosis caused by estrogen deficiency and aging can be rescued by regulating Bhlhe40 in mice. This may help in the development of a new strategy for the treatment of osteoporosis.