bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leaf litter decomposition and detrital communities following the removal of two large dams on the Elwha River (Washington, USA)
Authors: LeRoy Carri J. , Morley Sarah A. , Duda Jeffrey J. , Zinck Alex A. , Lamoureux Paris J. , Pennell Cameron , Bailey Ali , Oswell Caitlyn , Silva Mary , Kamakawiwo’ole Brandy K. , Hartford Sorrel , Van Der Hout Jacqueline , Peters Roger , Mahan Rebecca , Stapleton Justin , Johnson Rachelle C. , Foley Melissa M.
Published: October 2023

Large-scale dam removals provide opportunities to restore river function in the long-term and are massive disturbances to riverine ecosystems in the short-term. The removal of two dams on the Elwha River (WA, USA) between 2011 and 2014 was the largest dam removal project to be completed by that time and has since resulted in major changes to channel dynamics, river substrates, in-stream communities, and the size and shape of the river delta. To assess ecosystem function across the restored Elwha watershed, we compared leaf litter decomposition at twenty sites: 1) four tributary sites not influenced by restoration activities; 2) four river sites downstream of the upper dam (Glines Canyon Dam); 3) four river sites within the footprint of the former Aldwell Reservoir upstream of the lower dam (Elwha Dam); 4) four river sites downstream of the lower dam; and 5) four lentic sites in the newly developing Elwha delta. Three major findings emerged: 1) decomposition rates differed among sections of the Elwha watershed, with slowest decomposition rates at the delta sites and fastest decomposition rates just downstream of the upper dam; 2) aquatic macroinvertebrate communities establishing in leaf litterbags differed significantly among sections of the Elwha watershed; and 3) aquatic fungal communities growing on leaf litter differed significantly among sections. Aquatic macroinvertebrate and fungal diversity were sensitive to differences in canopy cover, water chemistry, and river bottom sediments across sites, with a stronger relationship to elevation for aquatic macroinvertebrates. As the Elwha River undergoes recovery following the massive sediment flows associated with dam removal, we expect to see changes in leaf litter processing dynamics and shifts in litter-dependent decomposer communities (both fungal and invertebrate) involved in this key ecosystem process.
Effects of climate change and land use/cover changes on carbon sequestration in forest ecosystems in the coastal area of China
Authors: Zhen Yanlin , Zhang Xiuying , Zhang Congguo , Gao Qian , Dong Jiaqi , Zhang Liuzhen , Lu Xuehe , Wang Yingying
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Climate change and land use/cover changes (LUCC) greatly influenced terrestrial carbon sequestration.

Methods

This study evaluated the effects of climate change and LUCC on the carbon sequestration of forest ecosystems from 1991 to 2020 in the coastal area of China using a process-based global vegetation dynamic model (IBIS).

Results and discussion

The results showed that temperature had an increasing trend, with a rate of 0.02 °C yr−1; 20.00% of the forest coverage shifted spatially but there was only a 0.31% increase in total area. The carbon sequestration amounts by plants (net primary productivity, NPP) and the net carbon budget (net ecosystem productivity, NEP) in the coastal area of China in 2020 were 666.49 and 58.45 Tg C yr−1, respectively, which increased by 18.31% and 2509.30%, respectively, compared to the values in 1991. The increased forest ecosystem NPP and NEP were mainly due to climate change, while forest cover changes increased NPP by only 0.06% and NEP by 9.75% with a strong regional difference. The NPP showed a significant increasing trend, with a rate of 3.01 Tg C yr−1, which was positively correlated with temperature (0.43, p < 0.01) and precipitation (0.42, p < 0.01). However, the NEP largely varied during 1991-2020 and did not show a significant correlation with precipitation or temperature. These results provide scientific guidance for the government to enact environmental protection and low-carbon land use planning policies.
Prevalence and genetic analysis of triplicated α-globin gene in Ganzhou region using high-throughput sequencing
Authors: Xie Xinxing , Gan Jinhui , Liu Zezhang , Zhou Yulian , Yuan Kun , Chen Zhigang , Chen Shiping , Zhou Rui , Liu Lipei , Huang Xiaoyan , Zhang Yan , Liu Qian , Zhang Wenqian , Huang Jungao , Chen Junkun
Published: October 2023

α-globin gene triplication carriers were not anemic in general, while some studies found that α-globin gene triplication coinherited with heterozygous β-thalassemia may cause adverse clinical symptoms, which yet lacks sufficient evidence in large populations. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and distribution of α-globin gene triplication as well as the phenotypic characteristics of α-globin gene triplication coinherited with heterozygous β-thalassemia in Ganzhou city, southern China. During 2021-2022, a total of 73,967 random individuals who received routine health examinations before marriage were genotyped for globin gene mutations by high-throughput sequencing. Among them, 1,443 were α-globin gene triplication carriers, with a carrier rate of 1.95%. The most prevalent mutation was αααanti3.7/αα (43.10%), followed by αααanti4.2/αα (38.12%). 42 individuals had coinherited α-globin gene triplication and heterozygous β-thalassemia. However, they did not differ from the individuals with heterozygous β-thalassemia and normal α-globin (αα/αα) in terms of mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) levels. In addition, heterogenous clinical phenotypes were found in two individuals with the same genotype. Our study established a database of Ganzhou α-globin gene triplication and provided practical advice for the clinical diagnosis of α-globin gene triplication.
Unbundling water and land rights in Kilifi County, Kenya: a gender perspective
Authors: Hillesland Marya , Doss Cheryl R. , Mutua Mercy , Guettou Djurfeldt Nadia , Nchanji Eileen , Twyman Jennifer , Korzenevica Marina
Published: October 2023

Feminist scholars and activists have drawn attention to the importance of women's land rights, and studies focused on irrigation have explored the gendered relationships between land and water rights. Yet little of this work has focused on the relationship between land and water rights for domestic and productive purposes more broadly. Within rural communities, women and men have different rights to both land and water. We explore these interconnected relationships using community profiles, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews from two communities as well as survey data collected from multiple adult members of rural households in Kilifi County, Kenya. Using a bundle of rights framework, we find that few individuals hold the complete bundle of rights over water, and the extent to which the rights are acknowledged by others and enforceable varies by the land-water tenure system. The full bundle of rights to water is most likely to be complete and most robust for men who have private water points on household land they hold. Even then, other people may assert claims to water at the water point, although these claims may involve negotiation or payment. Many water rights across the land-tenure systems are shared with others rather than being held by one individual. As such, the ability to negotiate water access is particularly important. The duration of the rights, or the length of time for which the rights are held, is embedded in social relations and exchange, particularly on others' household land. Women more than men seem to maintain a complicated set of social networks that allow them to negotiate for water from other women who manage the water transactions. The process of negotiation needs to be re-articulated each time. Thus, the duration of these rights to water depends on the ongoing relationships.
Ferroptosis as an emerging target in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Zhao Hui , Tang Cheng , Wang Miao , Zhao Hongfang , Zhu Yan
Published: October 2023

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease of unknown etiology. Due to the rise in the incidence rate of RA and the limitations of existing therapies, the search for new treatment strategies for RA has become a global focus. Ferroptosis is a novel programmed cell death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, with distinct differences from apoptosis, autophagy, and necrosis. Under the conditions of iron accumulation and the glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) activity loss, the lethal accumulation of lipid peroxide is the direct cause of ferroptosis. Ferroptosis mediates inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipid oxidative damage processes, and also participates in the occurrence and pathological progression of inflammatory joint diseases including RA. This review provides insight into the role and mechanism of ferroptosis in RA and discusses the potential and challenges of ferroptosis as a new therapeutic strategy for RA, with an effort to provide new targets for RA prevention and treatment.
Implications of combined NOD2 and other gene mutations in autoinflammatory diseases
Authors: Nomani Hafsa , Deng Zuoming , Navetta-Modrov Brianne , Yang Jie , Yun Mark , Aroniadis Olga , Gorevic Peter , Aksentijevich Ivona , Yao Qingping
Published: October 2023

NOD-like receptors (NLRs) are intracellular sensors associated with systemic autoinflammatory diseases (SAIDs). We investigated the largest monocentric cohort of patients with adult-onset SAIDs for coinheritance of low frequency and rare mutations in NOD2 and other autoinflammatory genes. Sixty-three patients underwent molecular testing for SAID gene panels after extensive clinical workups. Whole exome sequencing data from the large Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study of individuals of European-American ancestry were used as control. Of 63 patients, 44 (69.8%) were found to carry combined gene variants in NOD2 and another gene (Group 1), and 19 (30.2%) were carriers only for NOD2 variants (Group 2). The genetic variant combinations in SAID patients were digenic in 66% (NOD2/MEFV, NOD2/NLRP12, NOD2/NLRP3, and NOD2/TNFRSF1A) and oligogenic in 34% of cases. These variant combinations were either absent or significantly less frequent in the control population. By phenotype-genotype correlation, approximately 40% of patients met diagnostic criteria for a specific SAID, and 60% had mixed diagnoses. There were no statistically significant differences in clinical manifestations between the two patient groups except for chest pain. Due to overlapping phenotypes and mixed genotypes, we have suggested a new term, “Mixed NLR-associated Autoinflammatory Disease “, to describe this disease scenario. Gene variant combinations are significant in patients with SAIDs primarily presenting with mixed clinical phenotypes. Our data support the proposition that immunological disease expression is modified by genetic background and environmental exposure. We provide a preliminary framework in diagnosis, management, and interpretation of the clinical scenario.
Genetic link between primary sclerosing cholangitis and thyroid dysfunction: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhang Wenhui , Lang Ren
Published: October 2023

Background

Observational studies have demonstrated an association between primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and thyroid dysfunction (TD). However, the causal relationship between PSC and TD remains uncertain. The purpose of this study is to investigate the causal associations and specific direction between these two conditions. Gaining insight into the potential causal relationship between PSC and TD is valuable for elucidating the pathogenesis of PSC and for devising innovative approaches for the prevention and treatment of PSC and its associated complications.

Methods

We conducted a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the causal association between PSC and TD, such as autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), thyroid cancer (TC), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), among others. PSC was the exposure variable, while TD was the outcome variable. To identify suitable instrumental variables (IVs), we utilized genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets to select potential candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The primary statistical approach employed was the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method, which was complemented by a series of sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of the results by estimating heterogeneity and pleiotropy.

Results

We found that the causal associations between genetically predicted PSC and Graves’ disease (GD), hyperthyroidism (IVW OR=1.230, 95%CI: 1.089–1.389, P=0.001; IVW OR=1.001, 95%CI: 1.000-1.002, P=0.000) were statistically significant. The reverse MR analysis indicated that genetic susceptibility to hyperthyroidism (P=0.000) and hypothyroidism (p=0.028) might be the risk of PSC. There was no statistically significant causal association observed between PSC and other TD (IVW P>0.05), with the exception of GD, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism as determined through bidirectional two-sample analysis. To ensure the reliability of our findings, additional sensitivity analyses were conducted, including the leave-one-out (LOO) test, heterogeneity test, and pleiotropic test.

Conclusion

In this study, we conducted an investigation into the causal association between PSC and TD. Our findings indicate that PSC significantly elevates the susceptibility to GD and hyperthyroidism from a statistical perspective. These results shed light on the etiology of PSC and have implications for the management of patients with PSC.
Computational identification and clinical validation of a novel risk signature based on coagulation-related lncRNAs for predicting prognosis, immunotherapy response, and chemosensitivity in colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Zhang Fang , Zhang Rixin , Zong Jinbao , Hou Yufang , Zhou Mingxuan , Yan Zheng , Li Tiegang , Gan Wenqiang , Lv Silin , Yang Liu , Zeng Zifan , Zhao Wenyi , Yang Min
Published: October 2023

Background

Coagulation is critically involved in the tumor microenvironment, cancer progression, and prognosis assessment. Nevertheless, the roles of coagulation-related long noncoding RNAs (CRLs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unclear. In this study, an integrated computational framework was constructed to develop a novel coagulation-related lncRNA signature (CRLncSig) to stratify the prognosis of CRC patients, predict response to immunotherapy and chemotherapy in CRC, and explore the potential molecular mechanism.

Methods

CRC samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were used as the training set, while the substantial bulk or single-cell RNA transcriptomics from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) data from CRC cell lines and paired frozen tissues were used for validation. We performed unsupervised consensus clustering of CRLs to classify patients into distinct molecular subtypes. We then used stepwise regression to establish the CRLncSig risk model, which stratified patients into high- and low-risk groups. Subsequently, diversified bioinformatics algorithms were used to explore prognosis, biological pathway alteration, immune microenvironment, immunotherapy response, and drug sensitivity across patient subgroups. In addition, weighted gene coexpression network analysis was used to construct an lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA competitive endogenous network. Expression levels of CRLncSig, immune checkpoints, and immunosuppressors were determined using RT-qPCR.

Results

We identified two coagulation subclusters and constructed a risk score model using CRLncSig in CRC, where the patients in cluster 2 and the low-risk group had a better prognosis. The cluster and CRLncSig were confirmed as the independent risk factors, and a CRLncSig-based nomogram exhibited a robust prognostic performance. Notably, the cluster and CRLncSig were identified as the indicators of immune cell infiltration, immunoreactivity phenotype, and immunotherapy efficiency. In addition, we identified a new endogenous network of competing CRLs with microRNA/mRNA, which will provide a foundation for future mechanistic studies of CRLs in the malignant progression of CRC. Moreover, CRLncSig strongly correlated with drug susceptibility.

Conclusion

We developed a reliable CRLncSig to predict the prognosis, immune landscape, immunotherapy response, and drug sensitivity in patients with CRC, which might facilitate optimizing risk stratification, guiding the applications of immunotherapy, and individualized treatments for CRC.
A life for autoimmune blistering diseases: in memoriam Detlef Zillikens
Authors: Hundt Jennifer E. , Sadik Christian D. , van Beek Nina , Busch Hauke , Caux Frédéric , Goebeler Matthias , Hammers Christoph M. , Hartmann Karin , Hashimoto Takashi , Ibrahim Saleh , Kasperkiewicz Michael , Murrell Dedee F. , Recke Andreas , Rose Christian , Schumacher Nina , Shimanovich Iakov , Sitaru Cassian , Terheyden Patrick , Thaçi Diamant , Ludwig Ralf J. , Schmidt Enno
Published: October 2023

Detlef Zillikens, MD, director and chair of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany, died in September 2022, aged only 64. He dedicated his professional life to autoimmune blistering diseases (AIBDs) and built his department into one of the world’s leading centers for these diseases. Herein, his professional life and the impact on the field of AIBDs and the research landscape at the University of Lübeck are addressed. With his warm, integrative, open-minded, ever-optimistic attitude, he was a highly reliable colleague, mentor, and friend to many in the field including each of the authors. Combined with his in-depth knowledge of dermatology, interest in many fields of life science, and hard work, Detlef Zillikens initiated the founding of two independent research institutes, the Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and the Institute and Comprehensive Center for Inflammation Medicine. He was also instrumental in establishing the Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, where in a new research building, over 140 scientists pursue research questions related to skin inflammation. By inviting numerous researchers and clinicians to his department and hosting two large international meetings, he brought the field of AIBDs much closer together and inspired multiple national and international research initiatives. His ideas will live on and grow in many of his colleagues and mentees.
Effects on the food-web structure and bioaccumulation patterns of organic contaminants in a climate-altered Bothnian Sea mesocosms
Authors: Berglund Åsa M. M. , Gallampois Christine , Ripszam Matyas , Larsson Henrik , Figueroa Daniela A. , Grinienė Evelina , Byström Pär , Gorokhova Elena , Haglund Peter , Andersson Agneta , Tysklind Mats
Published: October 2023

Climate change is expected to alter global temperature and precipitation patterns resulting in complex environmental impacts. The proposed higher precipitation in northern Scandinavia would increase runoff from land, hence increase the inflow of terrestrial dissolved organic matter (tDOM) in coastal regions. This could promote heterotrophic bacterial production and shift the food web structure, by favoring the microbial food web. The altered climate is also expected to affect transport and availability of organic micropollutants (MPs), with downstream effects on exposure and accumulation in biota. This study aimed to assess climate-induced changes in a Bothnian Sea food web structure as well as bioaccumulation patterns of MPs. We performed a mesocosms-study, focusing on aquatic food webs with fish as top predator. Alongside increased temperature, mesocosm treatments included tDOM and MP addition. The tDOM addition affected nutrient availability and boosted both phytoplankton and heterotrophic bacteria in our fairly shallow mesocosms. The increased tDOM further benefitted flagellates, ciliates and mesozooplankton, while the temperature increase and MP addition had minor effect on those organism groups. Temperature, on the other hand, had a negative impact on fish growth and survival, whereas tDOM and MP addition only had minor impact on fish. Moreover, there were indications that bioaccumulation of MPs in fish either increased with tDOM addition or decreased at higher temperatures. If there was an impact on bioaccumulation, moderately lipophilic MPs (log Kow 3.6 – 4.6) were generally affected by tDOM addition and more lipophilic MPs (log Kow 3.8 to 6.4) were generally affected by increased temperature. This study suggest that both increased temperatures and addition of tDOM likely will affect bioaccumulation patterns of MPs in shallow coastal regions, albeit with counteracting effects.
Phage therapy: a revolutionary shift in the management of bacterial infections, pioneering new horizons in clinical practice, and reimagining the arsenal against microbial pathogens
Authors: Karn Subhash Lal , Gangwar Mayank , Kumar Rajesh , Bhartiya Satyanam Kumar , Nath Gopal
Published: October 2023

The recent approval of experimental phage therapies by the FDA and other regulatory bodies with expanded access in cases in the United States and other nations caught the attention of the media and the general public, generating enthusiasm for phage therapy. It started to alter the situation so that more medical professionals are willing to use phage therapies with conventional antibiotics. However, more study is required to fully comprehend phage therapy’s potential advantages and restrictions, which is still a relatively new field in medicine. It shows promise, nevertheless, as a secure and prosperous substitute for antibiotics when treating bacterial illnesses in animals and humans. Because of their uniqueness, phage disinfection is excellent for ready-to-eat (RTE) foods like milk, vegetables, and meat products. The traditional farm-to-fork method can be used throughout the food chain to employ bacteriophages to prevent food infections at all production stages. Phage therapy improves clinical outcomes in animal models and lowers bacterial burdens in numerous preclinical investigations. The potential of phage resistance and the need to make sure that enough phages are delivered to the infection site are obstacles to employing phages in vivo. However, according to preclinical studies, phages appear to be a promising alternative to antibiotics for treating bacterial infections in vivo. Phage therapy used with compassion (a profound understanding of and empathy for another’s suffering) has recently grown with many case reports of supposedly treated patients and clinical trials. This review summarizes the knowledge on the uses of phages in various fields, such as the food industry, preclinical research, and clinical settings. It also includes a list of FDA-approved bacteriophage-based products, commercial phage products, and a global list of companies that use phages for therapeutic purposes.
Artificial intelligence in global health equity: an evaluation and discussion on the application of ChatGPT, in the Chinese National Medical Licensing Examination
Authors: Tong Wenting , Guan Yongfu , Chen Jinping , Huang Xixuan , Zhong Yuting , Zhang Changrong , Zhang Hui
Published: October 2023

Background

The demand for healthcare is increasing globally, with notable disparities in access to resources, especially in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, has shown promise in revolutionizing healthcare. However, potential challenges, including the need for specialized medical training, privacy concerns, and language bias, require attention.

Methods

To assess the applicability and limitations of ChatGPT in Chinese and English settings, we designed an experiment evaluating its performance in the 2022 National Medical Licensing Examination (NMLE) in China. For a standardized evaluation, we used the comprehensive written part of the NMLE, translated into English by a bilingual expert. All questions were input into ChatGPT, which provided answers and reasons for choosing them. Responses were evaluated for “information quality” using the Likert scale.

Results

ChatGPT demonstrated a correct response rate of 81.25% for Chinese and 86.25% for English questions. Logistic regression analysis showed that neither the difficulty nor the subject matter of the questions was a significant factor in AI errors. The Brier Scores, indicating predictive accuracy, were 0.19 for Chinese and 0.14 for English, indicating good predictive performance. The average quality score for English responses was excellent (4.43 point), slightly higher than for Chinese (4.34 point).

Conclusion

While AI language models like ChatGPT show promise for global healthcare, language bias is a key challenge. Ensuring that such technologies are robustly trained and sensitive to multiple languages and cultures is vital. Further research into AI’s role in healthcare, particularly in areas with limited resources, is warranted.
Lipidomic diversity and proxy implications of archaea from cold seep sediments of the South China Sea
Authors: Zhang Tingting , He Wei , Liang Qianyong , Zheng Fengfeng , Xiao Xi , Zeng Zhiyu , Zhou Jingzhuo , Yao Wenyong , Chen Haodong , Zhu Yuanqing , Zhao Jing , Zheng Yan , Zhang Chuanlun
Published: October 2023

Cold seeps on the continental margins are characterized by intense microbial activities that consume a large portion of methane by anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME) through anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM). Although ANMEs are known to contain unique ether lipids that may have an important function in marine carbon cycling, their full lipidomic profiles and functional distribution in particular cold-seep settings are still poorly characterized. Here, we combined the 16S rRNA gene sequencing and lipidomic approaches to analyze archaeal communities and their lipids in cold seep sediments with distinct methane supplies from the South China Sea. The archaeal community was dominated by ANME-1 in the moderate seepage area with strong methane emission. Low seepage area presented higher archaeal diversity covering Lokiarchaeia, Bathyarchaeia, and Thermoplasmata. A total of 55 core lipids (CLs) and intact polar lipids (IPLs) of archaea were identified, which included glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs), hydroxy-GDGTs (OH-GDGTs), archaeol (AR), hydroxyarchaeol (OH-AR), and dihydroxyarchaeol (2OH-AR). Diverse polar headgroups constituted the archaeal IPLs. High concentrations of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) with depleted δ13CDIC and high methane index (MI) values based on both CLs (MICL) and IPLs (MIIPL) indicate that ANMEs were active in the moderate seepage area. The ANME-2 and ANME-3 clades were characterized by enhanced glycosidic and phosphoric diether lipids production, indicating their potential role in coupling carbon and phosphurus cycling in cold seep ecosystems. ANME-1, though representing a smaller proportion of total archaea than ANME-2 and ANME-3 in the low seepage area, showed a positive correlation with MIIPL, indicating a different mechanism contributing to the IPL-GDGT pool. This also suggests that MIIPL could be a sensitive index to trace AOM activities performed by ANME-1. Overall, our study expands the understanding of the archaeal lipid composition in the cold seep and improves the application of MI using intact polar lipids that potentially link to extent ANME activities.
Causal effects of gut microbiota on erectile dysfunction: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhang Yuyang , Chen Yuxi , Mei Yangyang , Xu Renfang , Zhang Hong , Feng Xingliang
Published: October 2023

Background

Several observational studies have reported the correlation between gut microbiota and the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED). However, the causal association between them remained unestablished owing to intrinsic limitations, confounding factors, and reverse causality. Therefore, the two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study was performed to determine the causal effect of gut microbiota on the risk of ED.

Methods

The MR analysis utilized the publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary-level data to explore the causal associations between gut microbiota and ED. The gut microbiota data were extracted from the MiBioGen study (N = 18,340), and the ED data were extracted from the IEU Open GWAS (6,175 ED cases and 217,630 controls). The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) served as instrumental variables (IVs) by two thresholds of P-values, the first P-value setting as <1e-05 (locus-wide significance level) and the second P-value setting as <5e-08 (genome-wide significance level). The inverse variance weighted approach was used as the primary approach for MR analysis, supplemented with the other methods. In addition, sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the robustness of the MR results, including Cochran's Q test for heterogeneity, the MR-Egger intercept test for horizontal pleiotropy, the Mendelian randomization pleiotropy residual sum, and outlier (MR-PRESSO) global test for outliers, and the forest test and leave-one-out test for strong influence SNPs.

Results

Our results presented that the increased abundance of Lachnospiraceae at family level (OR: 1.265, 95% CI: 1.054–1.519), Senegalimassilia (OR: 1.320, 95% CI: 1.064–1.638), Lachnospiraceae NC2004 group (OR: 1.197, 95% CI: 1.018–1.407), Tyzzerella3 (OR: 1.138, 95% CI: 1.017–1.273), and Oscillibacter (OR: 1.201, 95% CI: 1.035–1.393) at genus level may be risk factors for ED, while the increased abundance of Ruminococcaceae UCG013 (OR: 0.770, 95% CI: 0.615–0.965) at genus level may have a protective effect on ED. No heterogeneity or pleiotropy was found based on the previously described set of sensitivity analyses.

Conclusion

Our MR analysis demonstrated that the gut microbiota had inducing and protective effects on the risk of ED. The results provide clinicians with novel insights into the treatment and prevention of ED in the future. Furthermore, our study also displays novel insights into the pathogenesis of microbiota-mediated ED.
Electrolyzed hypochlorous acid water exhibits potent disinfectant activity against various viruses through irreversible protein aggregation
Authors: Dianty Rahmi , Hirano Junki , Anzai Itsuki , Kanai Yuta , Hayashi Tsuyoshi , Morimoto Masae , Kataoka-Nakamura Chikako , Kobayashi Sakura , Uemura Kentaro , Ono Chikako , Watanabe Tokiko , Kobayashi Takeshi , Murakami Kosuke , Kikuchi Kenji , Hotta Kunimoto , Yoshikawa Toshikazu , Taguwa Shuhei , Matsuura Yoshiharu
Published: October 2023

It is essential to employ efficient measures to prevent the transmission of pathogenic agents during a pandemic. One such method involves using hypochlorous acid (HClO) solution. The oxidative properties of HClO water (HAW) can contribute to its ability to eliminate viral particles. Here, we examined a highly purified slightly acidic hypochlorous acid water (Hp-SA-HAW) obtained from the reverse osmosis membrane treatment of an electrolytically-generated SA-HAW for its anti-viral activity and mode of action on viral proteins. Hp-SA-HAW exhibited broad-spectrum antiviral effects against various viruses, including adenovirus, hepatitis B virus, Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), and rotavirus. Additionally, Hp-SA-HAW treatment dose-dependently resulted in irreversibly aggregated multimers of the JEV envelope and capsid proteins. However, Hp-SA-HAW treatment had no discernible effect on viral RNA, indicating that Hp-SA-HAW acts against amino acids rather than nucleic acids. Furthermore, Hp-SA-HAW substantially reduced the infectivity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), including the ancestral variant and other multiple variants. Hp-SA-HAW treatment induced the aggregation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike and nuclear proteins and disrupted the binding of the purified spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 to human ACE2. This study demonstrates that the broad-spectrum virucidal activity of highly purified HClO is attributed to viral protein aggregation of virion via protein oxidation.
Plant growth promotion under phosphate deficiency and improved phosphate acquisition by new fungal strain, Penicillium olsonii TLL1
Authors: Suraby Erinjery Jose , Agisha Valiya Nadakkakath , Dhandapani Savitha , Sng Yee Hwui , Lim Shi Hui , Naqvi Naweed I. , Sarojam Rajani , Yin Zhongchao , Park Bong Soo
Published: October 2023

Microbiomes in soil ecosystems play a significant role in solubilizing insoluble inorganic and organic phosphate sources with low availability and mobility in the soil. They transfer the phosphate ion to plants, thereby promoting plant growth. In this study, we isolated an unidentified fungal strain, POT1 (Penicillium olsonii TLL1) from indoor dust samples, and confirmed its ability to promote root growth, especially under phosphate deficiency, as well as solubilizing activity for insoluble phosphates such as AlPO4, FePO4·4H2O, Ca3(PO4)2, and hydroxyapatite. Indeed, in vermiculite containing low and insoluble phosphate, the shoot fresh weight of Arabidopsis and leafy vegetables increased by 2-fold and 3-fold, respectively, with POT1 inoculation. We also conducted tests on crops in Singapore’s local soil, which contains highly insoluble phosphate. We confirmed that with POT1, Bok Choy showed a 2-fold increase in shoot fresh weight, and Rice displayed a 2-fold increase in grain yield. Furthermore, we demonstrated that plant growth promotion and phosphate solubilizing activity of POT1 were more effective than those of four different Penicillium strains such as Penicillium bilaiae, Penicillium chrysogenum, Penicillium janthinellum, and Penicillium simplicissimum under phosphate-limiting conditions. Our findings uncover a new fungal strain, provide a better understanding of symbiotic plant-fungal interactions, and suggest the potential use of POT1 as a biofertilizer to improve phosphate uptake and use efficiency in phosphate-limiting conditions.
Atypical development of causal inference in autism inferred through a neurocomputational model
Authors: Monti Melissa , Molholm Sophie , Cuppini Cristiano
Published: October 2023

In everyday life, the brain processes a multitude of stimuli from the surrounding environment, requiring the integration of information from different sensory modalities to form a coherent perception. This process, known as multisensory integration, enhances the brain’s response to redundant congruent sensory cues. However, it is equally important for the brain to segregate sensory inputs from distinct events, to interact with and correctly perceive the multisensory environment. This problem the brain must face, known as the causal inference problem, is strictly related to multisensory integration. It is widely recognized that the ability to integrate information from different senses emerges during the developmental period, as a function of our experience with multisensory stimuli. Consequently, multisensory integrative abilities are altered in individuals who have atypical experiences with cross-modal cues, such as those on the autistic spectrum. However, no research has been conducted on the developmental trajectories of causal inference and its relationship with experience thus far. Here, we used a neuro-computational model to simulate and investigate the development of causal inference in both typically developing children and those in the autistic spectrum. Our results indicate that higher exposure to cross-modal cues accelerates the acquisition of causal inference abilities, and a minimum level of experience with multisensory stimuli is required to develop fully mature behavior. We then simulated the altered developmental trajectory of causal inference in individuals with autism by assuming reduced multisensory experience during training. The results suggest that causal inference reaches complete maturity much later in these individuals compared to neurotypical individuals. Furthermore, we discuss the underlying neural mechanisms and network architecture involved in these processes, highlighting that the development of causal inference follows the evolution of the mechanisms subserving multisensory integration. Overall, this study provides a computational framework, unifying causal inference and multisensory integration, which allows us to suggest neural mechanisms and provide testable predictions about the development of such abilities in typically developed and autistic children.
Navigating complexity: a comprehensive review of microcatheter shaping techniques in endovascular aneurysm embolization
Authors: Liu Changya , Wu Xinxin , Hu Xuebin , Wu Linguangjin , Guo Kaikai , Zhou Shuang , Fang Bangjiang
Published: October 2023

The endovascular intervention technique has gained prominence in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms due to its minimal invasiveness and shorter recovery time. A critical step of the intervention is the shaping of the microcatheter, which ensures its accurate placement and stability within the aneurysm sac. This is vital for enhancing coil placement and minimizing the risk of catheter kickback during the coiling process. Currently, microcatheter shaping is primarily reliant on the operator's experience, who shapes them based on the curvature of the target vessel and aneurysm location, utilizing 3D rotational angiography or CT angiography. Some researchers have documented their experiences with conventional shaping methods. Additionally, some scholars have explored auxiliary techniques such as 3D printing and computer simulations to facilitate microcatheter shaping. However, the shaping of microcatheters can still pose challenges, especially in cases with complex anatomical structures or very small aneurysms, and even experienced operators may encounter difficulties, and there has been a lack of a holistic summary of microcatheter shaping techniques in the literature. In this article, we present a review of the literature from 1994 to 2023 on microcatheter shaping techniques in endovascular aneurysm embolization. Our review aims to present a thorough overview of the various experiences and techniques shared by researchers over the last 3 decades, provides an analysis of shaping methods, and serves as an invaluable resource for both novice and experienced practitioners, highlighting the significance of understanding and mastering this technique for successful endovascular intervention in intracranial aneurysms.
Potential application of peripheral blood biomarkers in intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Wu Yangying , Zhao Ziya , Kang Shaolei , Zhang Lijuan , Lv Fajin
Published: October 2023

Intracranial aneurysm (IA) counts are increasing yearly, with a high mortality and disability after rupture. Current diagnosis and treatment rely on costly equipment, lacking effective indicators for progression prediction and specific drugs for treatment. Recently, peripheral blood biomarkers, as common clinical test samples, reflecting the immune and inflammatory state of the body in real-time, have shown promise in providing additional information for risk stratification and treatment in IA patients, which may improve their outcomes after aneurysm rupture through anti-inflammatory therapy. Therefore, this paper reviewed the progress of potential biomarkers of IAs, including inflammatory blood indicators, cytokines, and blood lipids, aiming to aid individual management and therapy of aneurysms in clinical practices.
Long-term associations between objective sleep quality and quantity and verbal memory performance in normal cognition and mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Skourti Eleni , Simos Panagiotis , Zampetakis Alexandros , Koutentaki Eirini , Zaganas Ioannis , Alexopoulou Christina , Vgontzas Alexandros , Basta Maria
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Although the link between sleep and memory function is well established, associations between sleep macrostructure and memory function in normal cognition and Mild Cognitive Impairment remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the longitudinal associations of baseline objectively assessed sleep quality and duration, as well as time in bed, with verbal memory capacity over a 7–9 year period. Participants are a well-characterized subsample of 148 persons (mean age at baseline: 72.8 ± 6.7 years) from the Cretan Aging Cohort. Based on comprehensive neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological evaluation at baseline, participants were diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI; n = 79) or found to be cognitively unimpaired (CNI; n = 69). Sleep quality/quantity was estimated from a 3-day consecutive actigraphy recording, whereas verbal memory capacity was examined using the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) and the Greek Passage Memory Test at baseline and follow-up. Panel models were applied to the data using AMOS including several sociodemographic and clinical covariates.

Results

Sleep efficiency at baseline directly predicted subsequent memory performance in the total group (immediate passage recall: β = 0.266, p = 0.001; immediate word list recall: β = 0.172, p = 0.01; delayed passage retrieval: β = 0.214, p = 0.002) with the effects in Passage Memory reaching significance in both clinical groups. Wake after sleep onset time directly predicted follow-up immediate passage recall in the total sample (β = −0.211, p = 0.001) and in the MCI group (β = −0.235, p = 0.02). In the total sample, longer 24-h sleep duration was associated with reduced memory performance indirectly through increased sleep duration at follow-up (immediate passage recall: β = −0.045, p = 0.01; passage retention index: β = −0.051, p = 0.01; RAVLT-delayed recall: β = −0.048, p = 0.009; RAVLT-retention index:β = −0.066, p = 0.004). Similar indirect effects were found for baseline 24-h time in bed. Indirect effects of sleep duration/time in bed were found predominantly in the MCI group.

Discussion

Findings corroborate and expand previous work suggesting that poor sleep quality and long sleep duration predict worse memory function in elderly. Timely interventions to improve sleep could help prevent or delay age-related memory decline among non-demented elderly.
Semantic segmentation of autonomous driving scenes based on multi-scale adaptive attention mechanism
Authors: Liu Danping , Zhang Dong , Wang Lei , Wang Jun
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Semantic segmentation is a crucial visual representation learning task for autonomous driving systems, as it enables the perception of surrounding objects and road conditions to ensure safe and efficient navigation.

Methods

In this paper, we present a novel semantic segmentation approach for autonomous driving scenes using a Multi-Scale Adaptive Mechanism (MSAAM). The proposed method addresses the challenges associated with complex driving environments, including large-scale variations, occlusions, and diverse object appearances. Our MSAAM integrates multiple scale features and adaptively selects the most relevant features for precise segmentation. We introduce a novel attention module that incorporates spatial, channel-wise and scale-wise attention mechanisms to effectively enhance the discriminative power of features.

Results

The experimental results of the model on key objectives in the Cityscapes dataset are: ClassAvg:81.13, mIoU:71.46. The experimental results on comprehensive evaluation metrics are: AUROC:98.79, AP:68.46, FPR95:5.72. The experimental results in terms of computational cost are: GFLOPs:2117.01, Infer. Time (ms):61.06. All experimental results data are superior to the comparative method model.

Discussion

The proposed method achieves superior performance compared to state-of-the-art techniques on several benchmark datasets demonstrating its efficacy in addressing the challenges of autonomous driving scene understanding.
Compliance with the EAT-Lancet diet and risk of colorectal cancer: a prospective cohort study in 98,415 American adults
Authors: Ren Xiaorui , Yu Chuanchuan , Peng Linglong , Gu Haitao , Xiao Yi , Tang Yunhao , He Hongmei , Xiang Ling , Wang Yaxu , Jiang Yahui
Published: October 2023

Background

The EAT-Lancet diet (ELD) is a recommended dietary pattern for achieving simultaneous improvements in both individual health and environmental sustainability. While research on the association between ELD and colorectal cancer (CRC) remains scarce, the potential impact of nutrition on CRC prevention and progression is a topic of growing interest. This study aims to investigate the relationship between adherence to the ELD and the risk of CRC, shedding light on the role of nutrition in CRC prevention.

Methods

A total of 98,415 participants were included. A Diet History Questionnaire (DHQ) was used to collect dietary information, and an ELD score was used to assess adherence to ELD. Higher scores indicated greater adherence. Cox hazard regression analyses were conducted to examine whether there were associations between the ELD score and CRC risk. The restricted cubic spline (RCS) model was used to further explore the dose-response association between the ELD score and CRC incidence. Subgroup analyses were conducted to identify potential modifiers that interacted with ELD on CRC incidence, and sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the robustness of the established association.

Results

During a mean follow-up of 8.82 years, a total of 1,054 CRC cases were documented. We found a statistically significant correlation between the ELD score and CRC risk (Q4 vs. Q1: HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.67–0.98; P for trend = 0.034) after adjusting for potential confounders. No statistically significant associations were discovered between ELD adherence and CRC by anatomical site. Subgroup analyses found no interactional factor, sensitivity analyses, and the RCS model showed a robustness and linearity association (P-linearity >0.05).

Conclusion

We concluded that adherence to ELD contributes to the prevention of CRC.
Association between dietary intakes of B vitamins and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in postmenopausal women: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Li Jiajie , Huang Jingda , Lv Yanqing , Ji Huifan
Published: October 2023

Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasingly common globally, particularly among postmenopausal women. Diet plays a fundamental role in the treatment of NAFLD. However, clinical research on the dietary intakes of B vitamins, specifically in postmenopausal women, is scant. Hence, it is imperative to study the impact of B vitamin dietary intake in postmenopausal women.

Methods

This study utilized National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data for 668 postmenopausal women. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the association of the intakes of B vitamins with hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis prevalence. The analysis accounted for various covariates and employed restricted cubic spline analysis to examine potential nonlinear relationships. Additionally, interactions among age, diabetes, and B-vitamin intakes, as well as the interaction between folate and vitamin B12 intake, were explored.

Results

Higher intakes of folate [0.30 (0.10–0.88)], choline [0.26 (0.07–0.95)], vitamin B1, and vitamin B2 were associated with a reduced risk of hepatic steatosis in postmenopausal women. The associations of niacin (P-nonlinear = 0.0003), vitamin B1 (P-nonlinear = 0.036), and vitamin B2 (P-nonlinear<0.0001) intakes with hepatic steatosis showed a nonlinear pattern. However, no significant associations were observed between the intakes of niacin, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 and hepatic steatosis. Furthermore, there were no significant associations between B-vitamin intakes and liver fibrosis. No interaction effects were observed.

Conclusion

Dietary intakes of folate, choline, vitamin B1, and vitamin B2 may be associated with liver steatosis in postmenopausal women, these results suggest that optimizing the intake of these specific B vitamins may have a protective effect against liver steatosis in postmenopausal women, offering valuable insights into potential dietary strategies to promote their well-being.