bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cisplatin Effects on the Human Fetal Testis – Establishing the Sensitive Period for (Pre)Spermatogonial Loss and Relevance for Fertility Preservation in Pre-Pubertal Boys
Authors: Matilionyte Gabriele , Rimmer Michael P. , Spears Norah , Anderson Richard A. , Mitchell Rod T. 
Published: July 2022

BackgroundExposure to chemotherapy during childhood can impair future fertility. Studies using in vitro culture have shown exposure to platinum-based alkylating-like chemotherapy reduces the germ cell number in the human fetal testicular tissues. We aimed to determine whether effects of exposure to cisplatin on the germ cell sub-populations are dependent on the gestational age of the fetus and what impact this might have on the utility of using human fetal testis cultures to model chemotherapy exposure in childhood testis.MethodsWe utilised an in vitro culture system to culture pieces of human fetal testicular tissues (total n=23 fetuses) from three different gestational age groups (14-16 (early), 17-19 (mid) and 20-22 (late) gestational weeks; GW) of the second trimester. Tissues were exposed to cisplatin or vehicle control for 24 hours, analysing the tissues 72 and 240 hours post-exposure. Number of germ cells and their sub-populations, including gonocytes and (pre)spermatogonia, were quantified.ResultsTotal germ cell number and number of both germ cell sub-populations were unchanged at 72 hours post-exposure to cisplatin in the testicular tissues from fetuses of the early (14-16 GW) and late (20-22 GW) second trimester. In the testicular tissues from fetuses of mid (17-19 GW) second trimester, total germ cell and gonocyte number were significantly reduced, whilst (pre)spermatogonial number was unchanged. At 240 hours post-exposure, the total number of germ cells and that of both sub-populations was significantly reduced in the testicular tissues from fetuses of mid- and late-second trimester, whilst germ cells in early-second trimester tissues were unchanged at this time-point.ConclusionsIn vitro culture of human fetal testicular tissues can be a useful model system to investigate the effects of chemotherapy-exposure on germ cell sub-populations during pre-puberty. Interpretation of the results of such studies in terms of relevance to later (infant and pre-pubertal) developmental stages should take into account the changes in germ cell composition and periods of germ cell sensitivity in the human fetal testis.
Expert Opinion on the Management of Growth Hormone Deficiency in Brain Tumor Survivors: Results From an Italian Survey
Authors: Di Iorgi Natascia , Morana Giovanni , Cappa Marco , D’Incerti Ludovico , Garrè Maria Luisa , Grossi Armando , Iughetti Lorenzo , Matarazzo Patrizia , Parpagnoli Maria , Pozzobon Gabriella , Salerno Mariacarolina , Sardi Iacopo , Wasniewska Malgorzata Gabriela , Zucchini Stefano , Rossi Andrea , Maghnie Mohamad 
Published: July 2022

BackgroundGrowth hormone deficiency (GHD) is the first and most common endocrine complication in pediatric brain tumor survivors (BTS). GHD can occur due to the presence of the tumor itself, surgery, or cranial radiotherapy (CRT).AimsThis study aimed to evaluate management and adherence to current guidelines of the Italian centers engaged in the diagnosis and follow-up of GHD patients with BTS.MethodsA multidisciplinary scientific board of pediatric endocrinologists, oncologists and radiologists with neuroimaging expertise discussed and reviewed the main issues relating to the management of GHD in pediatric BTS and developed a survey. The survey included questions relating to organizational aspects, risk factors, diagnosis, definition of stable disease, and treatment. The online survey was sent to an expanded panel of specialists dedicated to the care of pediatric BTS, distributed among the three specialty areas and throughout the country (23 Italian cities and 37 Centers).ResultsThe online questionnaire was completed by 86.5% (32 out of 37) of the Centers involved. Most had experience in treating these patients, reporting that they follow more than 50 BTS patients per year. Responses were analyzed descriptively and aggregated by physician specialty. Overall, the results of the survey showed some important controversies in real life adherence to the current guidelines, with discrepancies between endocrinologists and oncologists in the definition of risk factors, diagnostic work-up, decision-making processes and safety. Furthermore, there was no agreement on the neuroimaging definition of stable oncological disease and how to manage growth hormone therapy in patients with residual tumor and GHD.ConclusionsThe results of the first Italian national survey on the management of GHD in BTS highlighted the difference in management on some important issues. The time to start and stop rhGH treatment represent areas of major uncertainty. The definition of stable disease remains critical and represents a gap in knowledge that must be addressed within the international guidelines in order to increase height and to improve metabolic and quality of life outcomes in cancer survivors with GHD.
Monocyte to High-Density lipoprotein and Apolipoprotein A1 Ratios: Novel Indicators for Metabolic Syndrome in Chinese Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Wang Wei , Chen Zhe Yuan , Guo Xiu Li , Tu Mei 
Published: July 2022

ObjectiveIncreasing evidence highlighted that chronic inflammation involved in the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This prospective study was aimed to assess the association between MetS and novel pro-inflammatory indicators like monocyte–to–high-density lipoprotein and monocyte–to–apolipoprotein A1 ratios (MHR and MAR) in Chinese newly diagnosed T2DM.MethodA total of 605 Chinese newly diagnosed T2DM with complete and available data were enrolled in this study. Demographic and anthropometric information were collected. Laboratory assessments were determined by standard methods. MetS was based on the Chinese Diabetes Society definition. Multiple binomial logistic regression model was used to estimate the independent variables of MHR and MAR for MetS. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was conducted to assess the optimal cutoff value of MHR and MAR in identifying MetS.ResultsOverall, the prevalence of MetS was 60.2%. The correlation analysis showed that MHR and MAR were closely correlated with metabolic risk factors like body mass index, waist circumference, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, uric acid, and insulin resistance. MHR and MAR were also significantly associated with higher odds of MetS after adjustment for other confounders, the odds ratios (ORs) (95%CI) were 1.50 (1.14–1.97) and 2.26(1.79–2.87) respectively. Furthermore, MHR and MAR were also seemed to have higher area under the curve (AUC) for MetS than ApoA1 and monocyte alone from the ROC curve analysis (P &lt; 0.05). The AUCs of MHR and MAR identifying MetS were 0.804 (95% CI: 0.768–0.839) and 0.840 (95% CI: 0.806–0.873) respectively (P &lt; 0.001). The optimal cutoff values of MHR and MAR were 3.57 × 108/mmol (sensitivity: 76.1%, specificity: 73.4%) and 3.95 × 108/g (sensitivity: 79.7%, specificity: 84.6%), respectively.ConclusionsMHR and MAR were significantly associated with MetS. These two novel pro-inflammatory indicators may be useful markers for MetS in Chinese newly diagnosed T2DM.
Break-in Period ≤24 Hours as an Option for Urgent-start Peritoneal Dialysis in Patients With Diabetes
Authors: Hu Xiaoqing , Yang Liming , Sun Zhanshan , Zhang Xiaoxuan , Zhu Xueyan , Zhou Wenhua , Wen Xi , Liu Shichen , Cui Wenpeng 
Published: July 2022

BackgroundThe optimal break-in period (BI) of urgent-start peritoneal dialysis (USPD) initiation for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and diabetes is unclear. We aimed to explore the safety and applicability of a BI ≤24 h in patients with ESRD and diabetes.MethodsWe used a retrospective cohort design wherein we recruited patients with ESRD and diabetes who underwent USPD at five institutions in China between January 2013 and August 2020. The enrolled patients were grouped according to BI. The primary outcomes were mechanical and infectious complication occurrences, whereas the secondary outcome was technique survival.ResultsWe enrolled 310 patients with diabetes, of whom 155 and 155 patients were in the BI ≤24 h and BI &gt;24 h groups, respectively. The two groups showed a comparable incidence of infectious and mechanical complications within 6 months after catheter insertion (p&gt;0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that a BI ≤24 h was not an independent risk factor for mechanical or infectious complications. Kaplan–Meier estimates showed no statistically significant between-group differences in technique survival rates (p&gt;0.05). Cox multivariate regression analysis revealed that a BI ≤24 h was not an independent risk factor for technique failure.ConclusionUSPD initiation with a BI ≤24 h may be safe and feasible for patients with ESRD and diabetes.
Response of Seasonally Frozen Ground to Climate Changes in the Northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Authors: Zhao Zhihui , Fu Ruiyu , Liu Junjie , Dai Licong , Guo Xiaowei , Du Yangong , Hu Zhongmin , Cao Guangmin 
Published: July 2022

The effects of climate change on permafrost have been well documented in many studies, whereas the effect of climate change on seasonally frozen ground (SFG) is still poorly understood. We used the observed daily freeze depth of SFG and environmental factors data from the period 2007–2016 to examine the seasonal and inter-annual variation of SFG. We quantitatively evaluated the effects of environmental factors on SFG using a boosted regression tree analysis. The results show that, on a seasonal scale, the lower layer soil frost starts freezing in mid-November, with the maximum freeze depth occurring in late March (209 cm), and then begins to thaw in both the lower and upper layers. We identified four stages of the freeze-thaw cycle: the non-frozen phase, initial freezing, deep freezing, and thawing. Furthermore, the thawing process of SFG mainly took place in the upper layer, but the freezing rate of the lower layer from mid-November to early February was similar to the thawing rate of late April to late June. On the inter-annual scale, the maximum freeze depth showed a significant increasing trend (p &lt; 0.05). However, the freeze-thaw duration declined significantly (p &lt; 0.05), which was correlated with the decrease in the period when surface soil temperature is below 0°C. The mean soil temperature and soil heat flux were the most important environmental indicators affecting seasonal variation of SFG depth, and the cumulative negative air and soil temperatures were the dominant factors affecting inter-annual variation of maximum freeze depth. Our results might provide insight into predicting hydrological and ecological responses to future climate change in frozen-ground regions.
Polypill for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease prevention in Haiti: Eligibility estimates in a low-income country
Authors: Yan Lily D. , Rouzier Vanessa , Pierre Jean Lookens , Dade Eliezer , Sufra Rodney , Huffman Mark D. , Apollon Alexandra , St Preux Stephano , Metz Miranda , Sabwa Shalom , Morisset Béatrice , Deschamps Marie , Pape Jean W. , McNairy Margaret L. 
Published: July 2022

BackgroundMultidrug therapy is a World Health Organization “best buy” for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases. CVD polypills, including ≥2 blood pressure medications, and a statin with or without aspirin, are an effective, scalable strategy to close the treatment gap that exists in many low- and middle-income countries, including Haiti. We estimated the number of Haitian adults eligible for an atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) polypill, and the number of potentially preventable CVD events if polypills were implemented nationally.MethodsWe used cross-sectional data from the Haiti CVD Cohort, a population-based cohort of 3,005 adults ≥18 years in Port-au-Prince, to compare two polypill implementation strategies: high-risk primary prevention and secondary prevention. High-risk primary prevention included three scenarios: (a) age ≥40 years, (b) hypertension, or (c) predicted 10-year ASCVD risk ≥7.5%. Secondary prevention eligibility included history of stroke or myocardial infarction. We then used the 2019 Global Burden of Disease database and published polypill trials to estimate preventable CVD events, defined as nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke, and cardiovascular death over a 5-year timeline.ResultsAmong 2,880 participants, the proportion of eligible adults for primary prevention were: 51.6% for age, 32.5% for hypertension, 19.3% for high ASCVD risk, and 5.8% for secondary prevention. Based on current trends, an estimated 462,509 CVD events (95% CI: 369,089–578,475) would occur among adults ≥40 years in Haiti from 2019–2024. Compared with no polypill therapy, we found 32% or 148,003 CVD events (95% CI: 70,126–248,744) could be prevented by a combined primary and secondary prevention approach in Haiti if polypills were fully implemented over 5 years.ConclusionThese modeling estimates underscore the potential magnitude of preventable CVD events in low-income settings like Haiti. Model calibration using observed CVD events, costs, and implementation assumptions are future directions.Clinical trial registrationclinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT03892265.
Catching Nucleosome by Its Decorated Tails Determines Its Functional States
Authors: Sehrawat Parveen , Shobhawat Rahul , Kumar Ashutosh 
Published: July 2022

The fundamental packaging unit of chromatin, i.e., nucleosome, consists of ∼147 bp of DNA wrapped around a histone octamer composed of the core histones, H2A, H2B, H3, and H4, in two copies each. DNA packaged in nucleosomes must be accessible to various machineries, including replication, transcription, and DNA damage repair, implicating the dynamic nature of chromatin even in its compact state. As the tails protrude out of the nucleosome, they are easily accessible to various chromatin-modifying machineries and undergo post-translational modifications (PTMs), thus playing a critical role in epigenetic regulation. PTMs can regulate chromatin states via charge modulation on histones, affecting interaction with various chromatin-associated proteins (CAPs) and DNA. With technological advancement, the list of PTMs is ever-growing along with their writers, readers, and erasers, expanding the complexity of an already intricate epigenetic field. In this review, we discuss how some of the specific PTMs on flexible histone tails affect the nucleosomal structure and regulate the accessibility of chromatin from a mechanistic standpoint and provide structural insights into some newly identified PTM–reader interaction.
Effects of Metabolism on Macrophage Polarization Under Different Disease Backgrounds
Authors: Sun Jia-Xue , Xu Xiang-Hong , Jin Liping 
Published: July 2022

Macrophages are versatile immune cells associated with various diseases, and their phenotypes and functions change on the basis of the surrounding environments. Reprogramming of metabolism is required for the proper polarization of macrophages. This review will focus on basic metabolic pathways, the effects of key enzymes and specific products, relationships between cellular metabolism and macrophage polarization in different diseases and the potential prospect of therapy targeted key metabolic enzymes. In particular, the types and characteristics of macrophages at the maternal-fetal interface and their effects on a successful conception will be discussed.
Recognition of Freezing of Gait in Parkinson’s Disease Based on Machine Vision
Authors: Li Wendan , Chen Xiujun , Zhang Jintao , Lu Jianjun , Zhang Chencheng , Bai Hongmin , Liang Junchao , Wang Jiajia , Du Hanqiang , Xue Gaici , Ling Yun , Ren Kang , Zou Weishen , Chen Cheng , Li Mengyan , Chen Zhonglue , Zou Haiqiang 
Published: July 2022

BackgroundFreezing of gait (FOG) is a common clinical manifestation of Parkinson’s disease (PD), mostly occurring in the intermediate and advanced stages. FOG is likely to cause patients to fall, resulting in fractures, disabilities and even death. Currently, the pathogenesis of FOG is unclear, and FOG detection and screening methods have various defects, including subjectivity, inconvenience, and high cost. Due to limited public healthcare and transportation resources during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are greater inconveniences for PD patients who need diagnosis and treatment.ObjectiveA method was established to automatically recognize FOG in PD patients through videos taken by mobile phone, which is time-saving, labor-saving, and low-cost for daily use, which may overcome the above defects. In the future, PD patients can undergo FOG assessment at any time in the home rather than in the hospital.MethodsIn this study, motion features were extracted from timed up and go (TUG) test and the narrow TUG (Narrow) test videos of 50 FOG-PD subjects through a machine learning method; then a motion recognition model to distinguish between walking and turning stages and a model to recognize FOG in these stages were constructed using the XGBoost algorithm. Finally, we combined these three models to form a multi-stage FOG recognition model.ResultsWe adopted the leave-one-subject-out (LOSO) method to evaluate model performance, and the multi-stage FOG recognition model achieved a sensitivity of 87.5% sensitivity and a specificity of 79.82%.ConclusionA method to realize remote PD patient FOG recognition based on mobile phone video is presented in this paper. This method is convenient with high recognition accuracy and can be used to rapidly evaluate FOG in the home environment and remotely manage FOG-PD, or screen patients in large-scale communities.
Subclinical Magnetic Resonance Imaging Markers of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease in Relation to Office and Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurements
Authors: Melgarejo Jesus D. , Maestre Gladys E. , Gutierrez Jose , Thijs Lutgarde , Mena Luis J. , Gaona Ciro , Leendertz Reinier , Lee Joseph H. , Chávez Carlos A. , Calmon Gustavo , Silva Egle , Wei Dongmei , Terwilliger Joseph D. , Vanassche Thomas , Janssens Stefan , Verhamme Peter , Bos Daniel , Zhang Zhen-Yu 
Published: July 2022

BackgroundTwenty-four-hour and nighttime blood pressure (BP) levels are more strongly associated with cardiovascular risk than office or daytime BP measurements. However, it remains undocumented which of the office and ambulatory BP measurements have the strongest association and predictive information in relation to the presence of type I, or arteriolosclerosis type, cerebral small vessel diseases (CSVD).MethodsA subset of 429 participants from the Maracaibo Aging Study [aged ≥40 years (women, 73.7%; mean age, 59.3 years)] underwent baseline brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize CSVD, which included log-transformed white matter hyperintensities (log-WMH) volume and the presence (yes/no) of lacunes, cerebral microbleeds (CMB), or enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS). Linear and logistic regression models were applied to examine the association between CSVD and each +10-mmHg increment in the office and ambulatory systolic BP measurements. Improvement in the fit of nested logistic models was assessed by the log-likelihood ratio and the generalized R2 statistic.ResultsOffice and ambulatory systolic BP measurements were related to log-WMH (β-correlation coefficients ≥0.08; P &lt; 0.001). Lacunes and CMB were only associated with ambulatory systolic BP measurements (odds ratios [OR] ranged from 1.31 [95% confidence interval, 1.10-1.55] to 1.46 [1.17–1.84], P ≤ 0.003). Accounted for daytime systolic BP, both the 24-h (β-correlation, 0.170) and nighttime (β-correlation, 0.038) systolic BP measurements remained related to log-WMH. When accounted for 24-h or daytime systolic BP levels, the nighttime systolic BP retained the significant association with lacunes (ORs, 1.05–1.06; 95% CIs, ≥1.01 to ≤ 1.13), whereas the 24-h and daytime systolic BP levels were not associated with lacunes after adjustments for nighttime systolic BP (ORs, ≤ 0.88; 95% CI, ≥0.77 to ≤ 1.14). On top of covariables and office systolic BP, ambulatory systolic BP measurements significantly improved model performance (1.05% ≥ R2 ≤ 3.82%). Compared to 24-h and daytime systolic BP, nighttime systolic BP had the strongest improvement in the model performance; for WMH (1.46 vs. 1.05%) and lacunes (3.06 vs. ≤ 2.05%).ConclusionsTwenty-four-hour and nighttime systolic BP were the more robust BP measurements associated with CSVD, but the nighttime systolic BP level had the strongest association. Controlling ambulatory BP levels might provide additional improvement in the prevention of CSVD.
Case Report: The Coronal Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Three-Dimensional Fast-Field Echo With Water-Selective Excitation Can Identify the Wrapping of Spinal Nerve Fibers Into Subdural Tumors Prior to Operation
Authors: Tang Tao , Yuan Jinghong , Yin Jianhua , Zhu Junchao , Jia Jingyu , Cheng Xigao 
Published: July 2022

PurposeIn the present study, the authors intend to identify the spatial relationship between subdural tumors and spinal nerve fibers of cauda equina prior to operation using the coronal MRI of three-dimensional fast-field echo with water-selective excitation (CMRI).MethodsIn total, 30 case series with surgically and pathologically verified subdural tumors were enrolled in the present study. The spatial relationship between subdural tumors and spinal nerve fibers of the cauda equina was assessed via conventional MRI and CMRI by three experts prior to operation. The spatial relationship between subdural tumors and spinal nerve fibers of the cauda equina was classified using CMRI. The accuracy of imaging observation was determined via intraoperative observation.ResultsThough conventional MRI and gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced MRI (Gd MRI) cannot identify the spatial relationship between subdural tumors and spinal nerve fibers of cauda equina in all cases, CMRI can identify it prior to operation and divide the spatial relationship of spinal nerve fibers of cauda equina with subdural tumors into three types. CMRI shows higher sensitivity (97.44%) and specificity (90.47%) in identifying the spatial relationship of spinal nerve fibers of cauda equina with subdural tumors. Additionally, CMRI also showed a substantial agreement with a kappa value of 0.78.ConclusionHerein, the authors first describe a potential novel application that CMRI can successfully identify the spatial relationship between subdural tumors and spinal nerve fibers of cauda equina prior to operation, which play an essential role in making a prudent surgical plan and preventing postoperative nerve damage.SummaryIntraoperative observation confirms spinal nerve fibers of cauda equina are often wrapped into subdural tumors of the thoracolumbar and lumbar region, which can result in a high rate of sensory and motor dysfunction after the operation due to the unconscious about the wrapping of nerves into subdural tumors prior to operation. To date, there is not an effective strategy to identify the wrapping before operation.