bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mucosal-associated invariant T cells repress group 2 innate lymphoid cells in Alternaria alternata-induced model of allergic airway inflammation
Authors: Shimizu Yasuo , Horigane-Konakai Yukiko , Ishii Yoshii , Sugimoto Chie , Wakao Hiroshi 
Published: November 2022

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, a blossoming member of the innate-like T cells, play a pivotal role in host defense through engaging the mucosal immunity. Although it has been suggested that MAIT cells are somehow implicated in the allergic airway inflammation mediated by group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) such as asthma, the precise role(s) of MAIT cells in such inflammation has remained elusive. To explore the possible roles of MAIT cells in the inflammation, we examined whether MAIT cells suppressed the production of T helper (Th) 2 and inflammatory cytokines from ILC2s, and constrained the proliferation of ILC2s, both of which are prerequisite for airway inflammation. Given that laboratory mice are poor at MAIT cells, a novel mouse line rich in MAIT cells was used. We found that mice rich in MAIT cells showed alleviated airway inflammation as evidenced by reduced infiltration of the immune cells and hyperplasia in goblet cells in the lung concomitant with compromised production of Th2 and inflammatory cytokines, while wild type mice exhibited severe inflammation upon challenge with the fungal extracts. In vitro coculture experiments using purified ILC2s and MAIT cells unrevealed that cytokine-stimulated MAIT cells suppressed ILC2s to produce the cytokines as well as to proliferate most likely via production of IFN-γ. Furthermore, reconstitution of the allergic airway inflammation in the highly immunocompromised mice showed that ILC2-mediated inflammation was alleviated in mice that received MAIT cells along with ILC2s. We concluded that MAIT cells played a crucial role in suppressing the cytokine-producing capacity of ILC2s and ILC2 proliferation, that ultimately led to decrease in the allergic airway inflammation.The results open up a novel therapeutic horizon in ILC2-mediated inflammatory diseases by modulating MAIT cell activity.
Nectin4 is a potential therapeutic target for asthma
Authors: Lee Pureun-Haneul , Choi Seon Muk , An Min Hyeok , Hwang Da Yeon , Park Shinhee , Baek Ae Rin , Jang An-Soo 
Published: November 2022

BackgroundNectins comprise a family of cellular adhesion molecules involved in Ca2+-independent cellular adhesion. Neither the biological significance nor clinical potential of Nectin4 for asthma has been investigated.ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to elucidate the role of Nectin4 in airway inflammation and to determine the relationship between Nectin4 and clinical variables in patients with asthma.MethodsThe relationship between Nectin4 levels in the blood of asthmatic patients and clinical variables was examined. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus 1 (Der p1)-exposed normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells, and Nectin4-deficient (Nectin4−/−) and wild-type (WT) mice sensitized/challenged with ovalbumin (OVA), were used to investigate the involvement of Nectin4 in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma via the Src/Rac1 pathway.ResultsPlasma Nectin4 levels were significantly higher in asthmatic patients than controls and correlated with specific IgE D1, D2, lung function. The ROC curves for Nectin4 levels differed between asthma patients and controls. Nectin4/Afadin and Src/Rac1 levels were significantly increased in NHBE cells exposed to Der p1, but decreased in NHBE cells treated with Nectin4 siRNA. Airway obstruction and inflammation, as well as the levels of Th2 cytokines, Nectin4, and Src/Rac1, were increased in WT OVA/OVA mice compared with WT sham mice. Nectin4 knockdown resulted in lower levels of Afadin and Src/Rac1 in Nectin4−/−OVA/OVA than WT OVA/OVA mice.ConclusionThese results suggest that Nectin4 is involved in airway inflammation and may be a therapeutic target in patients with asthma.
Impact of progesterone-free luteal phase support following natural cycle frozen embryo transfer: Study protocol for a multicenter, non-inferiority, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Jiang Wen-Jing , Sun Zhen-Gao , Song Jing-Yan 
Published: November 2022

IntroductionNowadays, frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) has become one of the standard treatments for infertility in the field of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Natural cycle FET (NC-FET) has many advantages, such as simplicity and economics, no effect on patients’ menstrual cycles, estrogen and progesterone levels, as well as no interference in endometrial growth and transformation, which is aligned with the natural physiological state of embryo implantation. Nonetheless, there is a controversy regarding the need for luteal phase support (LPS) during NC-FET cycles. The purpose of this study is to assess whether LPS was not inferior to non-LPS in terms of OPR in NC-FET cycles.Methods and analysisThis study including 1,010 ovulatory women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles with an elective freeze-all strategy followed by NC-FET will be performed at four university-affiliated reproductive centers. Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive LPS treatment or not. This study is designed as an open-label, non-inferiority, randomized controlled trial (RCT), and the primary statistical strategies were intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analysis.DiscussionThere may not have been any significant difference in the chance of a live birth after FET if no progesterone was supplemental during the luteal phase. However, due to the limited number of previous studies, which are mainly retrospective, evidence is still limited. Thus, by conducting this multicenter RCT, we intend to evaluate whether LPS is necessary in NC-FET.Ethics and disseminationA Reproductive Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (SDUTCM) has approved this study. This study will handle the data as required by general data protection regulations. Participants will sign a written informed consent regarding participation in the study and storage of blood samples in a biobank for future research. This study will be monitored by study personnel trained in Good Clinical Practice who are not involved in the study. The results of this study will be disseminated through publication in international peer-reviewed scientific journals.Clinical trial registration[https://www.chictr.org.cn/], identifier [ChiCTR2200057498].
Outcome of keratolimbal allograft transplantation with deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty for bilateral limbal stem cell deficiency
Authors: Li Zongyuan , Yang Kunkun , Zhou Yannan , Wu Tengyun , Zhang Hongtao , Yang Qinghua , Wang Qun , Huang Yifei , Wang Liqiang 
Published: November 2022

ObjectivesTo evaluate and compare the outcome of keratolimbal allograft (KLAL) transplantation with or without deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) for bilateral severe limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD).MethodsThis retrospective review included 49 eyes of 46 patients who underwent KLAL transplantation at the Department of Ophthalmology of Chinese PLA general hospital, 2009–2020, for bilateral severe LSCD were examined for corneal clarity and corneal scarring to determine whether to combine DALK with KLAL transplantation. Preoperative information, surgical decision tree, surgical procedures, and postoperative data were collected for each eye.ResultsAll patients had preoperative severe or total LSCD. Twenty-four eyes underwent KLAL transplantation only, 25 KLAL transplantation plus DALK. The mean follow-up was 46.80 ± 31.22 months (18–158 months). Overall KLAL survival (with or without DALK) was 71.43% at the final follow-up (KLAL-only 66.67%, KLAL-DALK 76%). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that the 3-year survival probability of all grafts was 70.53 ± 10.89% (KLAL-only 64.86 ± 10.11%, KLAL-DALK 75.79 ± 8.62%). The proportion of BCVA ≥ 20/200 eyes among all KLAL transplantations increased from 11 eyes (22.45%) preoperatively to 25 eyes (51.02%) after 1 year and 24 eyes (48.98%) at the last follow-up (P = 0.01). The proportion of BCVA ≥ 20/200 eyes in the KLAL-DALK group increased significantly (P = 0.04), from 16.0% at baseline to 48.0% after 1 year to 44.0% at the last follow-up. Seventeen eyes (34.69%) had postoperative complications.ConclusionKLAL-DALK is an effective option to restore a stable ocular surface and visual acuity rapidly in patients with bilateral, late-stage, severe LSCD.
Does cognitive frailty predict delayed neurocognitive recovery after noncardiac surgery in frail elderly individuals? Probably not
Authors: Zhang Jingya , Basnet Diksha , Du Xue , Yang Junjun , Liu Jiehui , Wu Fan , Zhang Xiaoqing , Liu Jianhui 
Published: November 2022

IntroductionDelayed neurocognitive recovery (DNR) is a common post-surgical complication among the elderly. Cognitive frailty (CF) is also an age-related medical syndrome. However, little is known about the association between CF and DNR. Therefore, this study aimed to study whether CF is associated with DNR in elderly patients undergoing elective noncardiac surgery, as well as to explore the potential risk factors for DNR in frail elderly individuals and construct a prediction model.MethodsThis prospective cohort study administered a battery of cognitive and frailty screening instruments for 146 individuals (≥65 years old) scheduled for elective noncardiac surgery. Screening for CF was performed at least one day before surgery, and tests for the presence of DNR were performed seven days after surgery. The association between CF and DNR was investigated. Moreover, the study subjects were randomly divided into a modeling group (70%) and a validation group (30%). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was performed to analyze the modeling group data and identify the independent risk factors for DNR. The R software was used to construct DNR's nomogram model, verifying the model.ResultsIn total, 138 individuals were eligible. Thirty-three cases were diagnosed with DNR (23.9%). No significant difference in the number of patients with CF was observed between the DNR and non-DNR groups (P &gt; 0.05). Multivariate analysis after adjusting relevant risk factors showed that only the judgment of line orientation (JLOT) test score significantly affected the incidence of DNR. After internal validation of the constructed DNR prediction model, the area under the curve (AUC) of the forecast probability for the modeling population (n = 97) for DNR was 0.801, and the AUC for the validation set (n = 41) was 0.797. The calibration curves of both the modeling and validation groups indicate that the prediction model has good stability.ConclusionCognitive frailty is not an independent risk factor in predicting DNR after noncardiac surgery in frail elderly individuals. The preoperative JLOT score is an independent risk factor for DNR in frail elderly individuals. The prediction model has a good degree of discrimination and calibration, which means that it can individually predict the risk probability of DNR in frail elderly individuals.
Epileptic seizure first aid practices of publics in Northwest Ethiopia 2021: Unsafe practices of nearly three-fourths of the community
Authors: Asnakew Sintayehu , Legas Getasew , Belete Amsalu , Beyene Getnet Mihretie , Tedla Assasahegn , Shiferaw Kirubel , Mengist Birhanu , Bayih Wubet Alebachew , Feleke Dejen Getaneh , Birhane Binyam Minuye , Chanie Ermias Sisay , Birhan Zelalem , Birkie Mengesha , Yitbarek Getachew Yideg 
Published: November 2022

BackgroundReligious and sociocultural beliefs influence how people with epilepsy (PWE) are treated and cared for. Many communities in Africa and other developing countries, including Ethiopia, believe that epilepsy is caused by evil spirits and should be treated with herbal plants by traditional doctors and religious leaders. The combination of these sociocultural beliefs and the level of community awareness of epilepsy affect first aid practices in the management of epileptic seizures.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess epileptic seizure first aid practice of public and its associated factors in Northwest Ethiopia, south Gondar zone, Amhara, Ethiopia 2021.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a previously adapted standard questionnaire. A multistage cluster sampling technique was applied. A total of 756 participants were approached and 741 respondents completed the questionnaire with a response rate of 98.02%. Data were entered into Epi data version 4.4.2 and then exported to Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 24 for analysis. Descriptive and analytical statistical procedures and bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regressions with odds ratios and 95% confidence interval (CI) were employed. The level of significance of the association was determined at p &lt; 0.05.ResultsOverall, 71.7% (95%CI: 68.3, 74.9) of the south Gondar community had unsafe practice measures in managing patients with seizure episodes. Individuals who were illiterate [adjusted odd ratio (AOR) = 1.99, 95%CI: 1.00.3.97] and participants who did not take training related to epilepsy (AOR = 2.07, 95%CI: 1.35, 3.17) and had poor knowledge about (AOR = 1.51, 95%CI: 1.06, 2.14) and a negative attitude toward epilepsy (AOR = 2.20, 95%CI: 1.50, 3.22) had unsafe practices compared to their counterparts. Conversely, participants who reached secondary education had safe practice measures (AOR = 0.4, 95%CI: 0.26, 0.63) in the management of epileptic seizures.ConclusionsIn this study, large numbers of the south Gondar community had unsafe practice measures in managing people with epileptic seizure episodes. Greater emphasis should be laid on individuals who were illiterate, in the provision of health education and/or training for the community to help them to acquire good knowledge about epilepsy and develop a positive attitude toward epilepsy.
Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) with exercise (RICE) is safe and feasible for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients
Authors: Tong Yanna , Lee Hangil , Kohls Wesley , Han Zhenzhen , Duan Honglian , Cheng Zhe , Li Fenghai , Gao Jie , Liu Jing , Geng Xiaokun , Ding Yuchuan 
Published: November 2022

ObjectiveRehabilitation is essential in reducing stroke disability and should be performed as early as possible. Exercise is an established and effective rehabilitation method; however, its implementation has been limited as its very early use exacerbates cerebral injury and is restricted by patients' unstable conditions and disabilities. Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) is a passive and accessible therapy in acute phases of stroke and appears to have similar neuroprotective effects as exercise. This study assessed the safety and feasibility of the novel rehabilitation strategy—early RIC followed by exercise (RICE) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS).MethodsWe conducted a single-center, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial with AIS patients within 24 h of stroke onset or symptom exacerbation. All enrolled patients were randomly assigned, at a ratio of 1:1, to either the RICE group or the sham-RICE group (sham RIC with exercise). Each group received either RIC or sham RIC within 24 h after stroke onset or symptom exacerbation, once a day, for 14 days. Both groups started the exercise routine on day 4, twice daily, for 11 total days. The safety endpoints included clinical deterioration, recurrence of stroke, hemorrhagic transformation, complications, and adverse events resulting from RICE during hospitalization. The efficacy endpoints [Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, Barthel Index, and walking ability] were evaluated at admission and 90 days after stroke onset.ResultsForty AIS patients were recruited and completed the study. No significant differences in baseline characteristics were found between the two groups, which included risk factors, stroke severity at admission, pre-morbid disability, and other special treatments. No significant differences were found in the safety endpoints between two groups. Excellent recovery (mRS 0–2) at 3 months was obtained in 55% of the patients with RICE as compared 40% in sham group, but it did not reach a significant level.ConclusionsRICE was safe and feasible for AIS patients, and seems to be a promising early stroke rehabilitation. The results of this study suggest a need for a future randomized and controlled multicenter trial with a larger sample size to determine the efficacy of RICE.
The combination of phase angle and age has a good diagnostic value for sarcopenia in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients
Authors: Chen Ye , Wu Jinlan , Ran Lei , Yu Dan , Chen Xi , Liu Maodong 
Published: November 2022

AimsThere are limited studies on phase angle and sarcopenia in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients. So, we want to explore the association between phase angle and sarcopenia and find a more sensitive indicator for diagnosing sarcopenia.MethodsWe included 101 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients from March 2022 to August 2022 and measured the phase angle and body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis. All patients had their handgrip strength measured. Then, we divided patients into the sarcopenia (n = 30) group and non-sarcopenia (n = 71) group according to the sarcopenia diagnostic strategy formulated by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. We used logistic regression to explore the risk factors of sarcopenia. We applied Receiver-operating characteristics curves to determine the diagnostic accuracy of these risk factors.ResultsAfter adjustments for sex, age, diabetes, BMI, extracellular water ratio, extra water, serum creatinine, total kt/v, and residual kt/v, phase angle correlated to handgrip strength and lowered limb muscle mass but not to skeletal muscle mass, upper arm muscle circumference, upper limb muscle mass and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index. In the multivariate logistic model, low phase angle and older age are risk factors for sarcopenia. The AUROC of phase angle for sarcopenia is 0.79 (95%CI, 0.70–0.86, P &lt; 0.01) for both sexes, 0.70 and 0.85 for females and males. After we combined age and phase angle as diagnostic indicators of sarcopenia, the AUROC is 0.91 (95%CI, 0.83–0.96, P &lt; 0.0001) in both sexes, 0.89 and 0.93 for females and males.ConclusionThis study illustrates that age 52 or older is an independent risk factor for sarcopenia in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients. Phase angle can act as a predictor of sarcopenia in those patients. But the combination of age and phase angle is more valuable in diagnosing sarcopenia.
Automated lesion detection of breast cancer in [18F] FDG PET/CT using a novel AI-Based workflow
Authors: Leal Jeffrey P. , Rowe Steven P. , Stearns Vered , Connolly Roisin M. , Vaklavas Christos , Liu Minetta C. , Storniolo Anna Maria , Wahl Richard L. , Pomper Martin G. , Solnes Lilja B. 
Published: November 2022

Applications based on artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning (DL) are rapidly being developed to assist in the detection and characterization of lesions on medical images. In this study, we developed and examined an image-processing workflow that incorporates both traditional image processing with AI technology and utilizes a standards-based approach for disease identification and quantitation to segment and classify tissue within a whole-body [18F]FDG PET/CT study.MethodsOne hundred thirty baseline PET/CT studies from two multi-institutional preoperative clinical trials in early-stage breast cancer were semi-automatically segmented using techniques based on PERCIST v1.0 thresholds and the individual segmentations classified as to tissue type by an experienced nuclear medicine physician. These classifications were then used to train a convolutional neural network (CNN) to automatically accomplish the same tasks.ResultsOur CNN-based workflow demonstrated Sensitivity at detecting disease (either primary lesion or lymphadenopathy) of 0.96 (95% CI [0.9, 1.0], 99% CI [0.87,1.00]), Specificity of 1.00 (95% CI [1.0,1.0], 99% CI [1.0,1.0]), DICE score of 0.94 (95% CI [0.89, 0.99], 99% CI [0.86, 1.00]), and Jaccard score of 0.89 (95% CI [0.80, 0.98], 99% CI [0.74, 1.00]).ConclusionThis pilot work has demonstrated the ability of AI-based workflow using DL-CNNs to specifically identify breast cancer tissue as determined by [18F]FDG avidity in a PET/CT study. The high sensitivity and specificity of the network supports the idea that AI can be trained to recognize specific tissue signatures, both normal and disease, in molecular imaging studies using radiopharmaceuticals. Future work will explore the applicability of these techniques to other disease types and alternative radiotracers, as well as explore the accuracy of fully automated and quantitative detection and response assessment.
Accuracy of novel urinary biomarker tests in the diagnosis of prostate cancer: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Leibo , He Wei , Shi Guanyu , Zhao Guoqiang , Cen Zhuangding , Xu Feng , Tian Wu , Zhao Xin , Mo Chishou 
Published: November 2022

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to conduct a network meta-analysis comparing the diagnostic value of different urinary markers for prostate cancer.MethodsAs of June 2022, the literature was retrieved by searching Pubmed, EMBASE, Web of Science databases and other databases. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration’s risk of bias tool, and publication bias was assessed using funnel plots. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) values ​​was used to determine the most effective diagnostic method and the data were analyzed accordingly using data analysis software.ResultsA total of 16 articles was included including 9952 patients. The ranking results of network meta-analysis showed that the diagnostic performance of the four urine markers Selectmdx, MIPS, PCA3 and EPI was better than that of PSA. Among them, the specificity, positive predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of Selectmdx ranked first in the SUCRA ranking (SUCRA values: 85.2%, 88.3%, 97.1%), and the sensitivity ranked second in the SUCRA ranking (SUCRA value: 54.4%), and the negative predictive value ranked fourth in SUCRA (SUCRA value: 51.6%). The most sensitive screening tool was MIPS (SUCRA value: 67.1%), and it was also the second screening tool ranked higher in specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy (SUCRA value: 56.5%, respectively)., 57.1%, 67.9%, 74.3%). The high negative predictive value SUCRA ranking is EPI (SUCRA value: 68.0%), its sensitivity ranks third (SUCRA value: 45.6%), and its specificity, positive predictive value and diagnostic accuracy are ranked fourth (SUCRA values are: 45%, 38.2%, 35.8%).ConclusionAccording to the network ranking diagram, we finally concluded that Selectmdx and MIPS can be used as the most suitable urine markers for prostate cancer screening and diagnosis. To further explore the diagnostic value of different urinary markers in the screening of PCa patients.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://inplasy.com/, identifier INPLASY202290094.