bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lineage-level species distribution model to assess the impact of climate change on the habitat suitability of Boleophthalmus pectinirostris
Authors: Wu Zengman , Dong Hao , Li Linjie , Zhao Linlin , Song Na
Published: March 2024

Global climate change has profound impacts on the habitats of marine organisms, and predicting the habitat changes of species under climate change conditions is crucial for species sustainability. Boleophthalmus pectinirostris is an intertidal fish species that holds significant ecological and economic value. To better protect and manage its resources, this study aimed to predict its current potential distribution and habitat changes under different climate scenarios in the future. This study firstly quantified the hypervolume niches of the three lineages (AE1, AE2, and AES lineages) and compared the niche differentiation among them. Furthermore, this study constructed species-level and lineage-level species distribution models (SDMs) to assess the impact of climate change on the habitat suitability of B. pectinirostris. The result of the niche differentiation assessment showed that there was marked differentiation in niches among the three lineages. The responses of different lineages to environmental variables were different, suggesting that lineage-level models may provide more accurate prediction results. According to the model predictions, the AES may have greater resilience to climate change and may experience habitat expansion in the future, while the AE1 and the AE2 may face habitat loss in some regions. Climate change-driven shifts in oceanic conditions were anticipated to affect the distribution and community structure of marine organisms. This study assessed the impact of climate change on the suitable habitat range of three lineages of B. pectinirostris using SDMs. Consistent with previous studies, the results of our study indicated that lineage-level SDMs may be more reliable than species-level SDMs for species with population differentiation in terms of the accuracy of predictions. In addition, considering the vulnerability of the AE1 and AE2 lineages to climate change, conserving these two lineages should be given a higher priority. The results of this study will provide important information for the future management and conservation of this species.
Elucidating the role of TWIST1 in ulcerative colitis: a comprehensive bioinformatics and machine learning approach
Authors: Ou Wenjie , Qi Zhaoxue , Liu Ning , Zhang Junzi , Mi Xuguang , Song Yuan , Fang Yanqiu , Cui Baiying , Hou Junjie , Yuan Zhixin
Published: March 2024

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a common and progressive inflammatory bowel disease primarily affecting the colon and rectum. Prolonged inflammation can lead to colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC). While the exact cause of UC remains unknown, this study aims to investigate the role of the TWIST1 gene in UC.

Methods: Second-generation sequencing data from adult UC patients were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and characteristic genes were selected using machine learning and Lasso regression. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve assessed TWIST1’s potential as a diagnostic factor (AUC score). Enriched pathways were analyzed, including Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA). Functional mechanisms of marker genes were predicted, considering immune cell infiltration and the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network.

Results: We found 530 DEGs, with 341 upregulated and 189 downregulated genes. TWIST1 emerged as one of four potential UC biomarkers via machine learning. TWIST1 expression significantly differed in two datasets, GSE193677 and GSE83687, suggesting its diagnostic potential (AUC = 0.717 in GSE193677, AUC = 0.897 in GSE83687). Enrichment analysis indicated DEGs associated with TWIST1 were involved in processes like leukocyte migration, humoral immune response, and cell chemotaxis. Immune cell infiltration analysis revealed higher rates of M0 macrophages and resting NK cells in the high TWIST1 expression group, while TWIST1 expression correlated positively with M2 macrophages and resting NK cell infiltration. We constructed a ceRNA regulatory network involving 1 mRNA, 7 miRNAs, and 32 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) to explore TWIST1’s regulatory mechanism.

Conclusion: TWIST1 plays a significant role in UC and has potential as a diagnostic marker. This study sheds light on UC’s molecular mechanisms and underscores TWIST1’s importance in its progression. Further research is needed to validate these findings in diverse populations and investigate TWIST1 as a therapeutic target in UC.
Antigen-specific chemokine profiles as biomarkers for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection
Authors: Ren Weicong , Ma Zichun , Li Qiang , Liu Rongmei , Ma Liping , Yao Cong , Shang Yuanyuan , Zhang Xuxia , Gao Mengqiu , Li Shanshan , Pang Yu
Published: March 2024

Background

Latent tuberculosis (TB) infection can progress to active TB, which perpetuates community transmission that undermines global TB control efforts. Clinically, interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) are commonly used for active TB case detection. However, low IGRA sensitivity rates lead to false-negative results for a high proportion of active TB cases, thus highlighting IGRA ineffectiveness in differentiating MTB-infected individuals from healthy individuals.

Methods

Participants enrolled at Beijing Chest Hospital from May 2020-April 2022 were assigned to healthy control (HC), LTBI, IGRA-positive TB, and IGRA-negative TB groups. Screening cohort MTB antigen-specific blood plasma chemokine concentrations were measured using Luminex xMAP assays then were verified via testing of validation cohort samples.

Results

A total of 302 individuals meeting study inclusion criteria were assigned to screening and validation cohorts. Testing revealed significant differences in blood plasma levels of CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL16, CXCL21, CCL1, CCL19, CCL27, TNF-α, and IL-4 between IGRA-negative TB and HC groups. Levels of CXCL9, CXCL10, IL-2, and CCL8 biomarkers were predictive for active TB, as reflected by AUC values of ≥0.9. CXCL9-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay sensitivity and specificity rates were 95.9% (95%CI: 91.7-98.3) and 100.0% (92.7-100.0), respectively. Statistically similar AUC values were obtained for CXCL9 and CXCL9-CXCL10 assays, thus demonstrating that combined analysis of CXCL10 and CXCL9 levels did not improve active TB diagnostic performance.

Conclusion

The MTB antigen stimulation-based CXCL9 assay may compensate for low IGRA diagnostic accuracy when used to diagnose IGRA-negative active TB cases and thus is an accurate and sensitive alternative to IGRAs for detecting MTB infection.
High hypoxia status in pancreatic cancer is associated with multiple hallmarks of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment
Authors: Sadozai Hassan , Acharjee Animesh , Kayani Hateem Z. , Gruber Thomas , Gorczynski Reginald M. , Burke Bernard
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common form of pancreatic cancer, is a particularly lethal disease that is often diagnosed late and is refractory to most forms of treatment. Tumour hypoxia is a key hallmark of PDAC and is purported to contribute to multiple facets of disease progression such as treatment resistance, increased invasiveness, metabolic reprogramming, and immunosuppression.

Methods

We used the Buffa gene signature as a hypoxia score to profile transcriptomics datasets from PDAC cases. We performed cell-type deconvolution and gene expression profiling approaches to compare the immunological phenotypes of cases with low and high hypoxia scores. We further supported our findings by qPCR analyses in PDAC cell lines cultured in hypoxic conditions.

Results

First, we demonstrated that this hypoxia score is associated with increased tumour grade and reduced survival suggesting that this score is correlated to disease progression. Subsequently, we compared the immune phenotypes of cases with high versus low hypoxia score expression (HypoxiaHI vs. HypoxiaLOW) to show that high hypoxia is associated with reduced levels of T cells, NK cells and dendritic cells (DC), including the crucial cDC1 subset. Concomitantly, immune-related gene expression profiling revealed that compared to HypoxiaLOW tumours, mRNA levels for multiple immunosuppressive molecules were notably elevated in HypoxiaHI cases. Using a Random Forest machine learning approach for variable selection, we identified LGALS3 (Galectin-3) as the top gene associated with high hypoxia status and confirmed its expression in hypoxic PDAC cell lines.

Discussion

In summary, we demonstrated novel associations between hypoxia and multiple immunosuppressive mediators in PDAC, highlighting avenues for improving PDAC immunotherapy by targeting these immune molecules in combination with hypoxia-targeted drugs.
Precursor exhausted CD8+T cells in colorectal cancer tissues associated with patient’s survival and immunotherapy responsiveness
Authors: Huang Hao , Ge Junwei , Fang Zhang , Wu Shaoxian , Jiang Hongwei , Lang Yanyan , Chen Junjun , Xiao Wenlu , Xu Bin , Liu Yingting , Chen Lujun , Zheng Xiao , Jiang Jingting
Published: March 2024

Exhausted CD8+T cells represent a distinct cellular lineage that emerges during both chronic infections and cancers. Recent studies have shown that persistent antigen exposure can drive the differentiation of precursor exhausted CD8+T cells, termed Tpex cells, which are characterized as TCF-1+PD-1+CD8+T cells. Elevated Tpex cell frequencies in the tumor microenvironment (TME) are associated with improved overall survival (OS) in cancer patients and heightened responsiveness to anti-PD-1 therapy. In our present study, we utilized multi-color immunohistochemistry (mIHC) to determine the localization and clinical implications of tumor-infiltrating Tpex cells within the TME of human colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues. We also conducted a multi-omics integrative analysis using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data derived from both the murine MC38 tumor model and human CRC tissues. This analysis helped delineate the transcriptional and functional attributes of Tpex cells within the CRC TME. Furthermore, we employed spatial transcriptome sequencing data from CRC patients to investigate the interactions between Tpex cells and other immune cell subsets within the TME. In conclusion, our study not only established a method for Tpex cell detection using mIHC technology but also confirmed that assessing Tpex cells within the CRC TME could be indicative of patients’ survival. We further uncovered the transcriptional and functional characteristics of Tpex cells in the TME and ascertained their pivotal role in the efficacy of immunotherapy against CRC.
Plasma metabolite profiling for S. haematobium biomarkers of infection in pre-school aged children in Shamva District, Zimbabwe
Authors: Midzi Herald , Naicker Thajasvarie , Vengesai Arthur , Choto Emilia T. , Muchesa Petros , Kasambala Maritha , Mduluza-Jokonya Tariro L. , Muleya Victor , Nyagumbo Elliot , Kapanga Donald Tafirenyika , Mabaya Lucy , Mutapi Francisca , Mduluza Takafira
Published: March 2024

Background

Metabolomics approaches are indispensable tools in infection biomarker discovery efforts as they shed light on the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of disease. In this study, we analysed plasma metabolites that can be used as biomarkers of urogenital schistosomiasis in pre-school aged children below the age of five.

Methods

A case-control study was conducted involving 82 pre-school aged children that were age- and sex-matched. Urine samples were collected for three consecutive days to detect S. haematobium infection using urine filtration. Blood samples were also collected and processed to obtain plasma. Beckman Coulter AU480 chemistry analyser and commercial metabolite kits were used for profiling biomarkers in plasma samples. Descriptive statistics and MetaboAnalyst tool, were used for metabolite analysis. For the determination of diagnostic efficiency of plasma biomarkers, the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated from receiver operating characteristic curves at 95% CI.

Results

Succinic acid, glucose-6-phosphate, phosphatidylcholine, alanine and creatinine levels in plasma were significantly associated with urogenital schistosomiasis (p<0.005) at the population level. Significant increase in concentration at 1.5-fold change (FC) threshold was highest for glucose-6-phosphate with FC value of 2.02 followed by creatinine, albumin and phosphatidylcholine. Creatinine was significantly downregulated with a FC value of 1.98. Of the six dysregulated metabolic pathways, glucose and sucrose metabolism were predominantly affected. Glucose-6-phosphate had the highest AUC (0.81), sensitivity (88.85%) and specificity (90.37%). Phosphatidylcholine and succinic acid also had AUC values greater than 0.7.

Conclusion

Urogenital schistosomiasis affects the energy-related metabolic pathways in pre-school aged children. Glucose-6-phosphate was identified as a potential indicator of infection at the population level. Furthermore, we recommend intensive validation of schistosome metabolite biomarkers.
Exploring the divergence in perspectives on clinical trial operations in South Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparison of a trial site and sponsors
Authors: Kim Young-Sang , Kim Anhye , Lee Yil-Seob
Published: March 2024

Introduction

During the COVID-19 pandemic, novel clinical trial methods known as decentralized clinical trials (DCTs) were rapidly introduced. The attitude toward operating clinical trials and perspectives on DCTs may differ between clinical trial sites and sponsors. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical trials was investigated for a society of sponsors and a trial site in South Korea.

Methods

The current difficulties and future perspectives on clinical trials were assessed and compared between the site and sponsors.

Results

Both the site and sponsors reported on their experiences with the challenges of conducting clinical trials during the pandemic era. While 64% of personnel from the site judged that the difficulties were solved by their own solutions, 67.6% of personnel from sponsors considered cooperation with trial sites as a key solution to overcome the difficulties. While half of the personnel from the site were skeptical of the changes in trial operation methods, the sponsors expected the institutionalization of DCT elements.

Conclusion

In conclusion, with varying attitudes, sponsors and sites attempted to overcome the challenges of conducting clinical trials during the pandemic era. To conduct clinical trials effectively, both sponsors and sites must work closely together to find solutions with efficient communication. For the successful implementation of new tools such as DCTs, the government needs to solicit support from sponsors and sites and change regulations.
Association of intrinsic capacity with functional ability, sarcopenia and systemic inflammation in pre-frail older adults
Authors: Merchant Reshma Aziz , Chan Yiong Huak , Anbarasan Denishkrshna , Vellas Bruno
Published: March 2024

Background

Decline in intrinsic capacity (IC) has been shown to accelerate progression to disability. The study aims to explore association of IC composite score with functional ability, sarcopenia and systemic inflammation in pre-frail older adults.

Methods

Cross-sectional study of pre-frail older adults ≥60 years old recruited from the community and primary care centers. Composite scores of four domains of IC were measured: locomotion, vitality, cognition and psychological. FRAIL scale was used to define pre-frailty. Muscle mass was measured using the bioelectrical impedance analysis. Systemic inflammation biomarkers [Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-10 (IL-10), Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α), and Growth differentiated factor 15 (GDF-15)] were measured. Participants in the lowest tertile (T1) exhibited greater decline in IC.

Results

A total of 398 pre-frail older adults were recruited, mean age was 72.7 ± 5.8 years, 60.1% female, education level 7.8 years, and 85.2% were of Chinese ethnicity. A total of 75.1% had decline in locomotion, 40.5% in vitality, 53.2% in cognition and 41.7% in psychological domain. A total of 95% had decline in at least one domain. T1 was significantly associated with ADL impairment (aOR 3.36, 95% CI 1.78–6.32), IADL impairment (aOR 2.37, 95% CI 1.36–4.13), poor perceived health (aOR 0.96, 95% CI 0.95–0.98), fall (aOR 1.63, 95% CI 1.05–2.84), cognitive impairment (aOR 8.21, 95% CI 4.69–14.39), depression (aOR 101.82, 95% CI 33.62–308.37), and sarcopenia (aOR 2.40, 95% CI 1.60–5.45). T1 had significant associations with GDF-15, IL-10, and IL-10 to TNF-α ratio.

Conclusion

Decline in IC composite score among pre-frail older adults was associated with functional limitation, sarcopenia, and systemic inflammation.
Surveillance of Nipah virus in Pteropus medius of Kerala state, India, 2023
Authors: Balasubramanian R. , Mohandas Sreelekshmy , Thankappan Ullas P. , Shete Anita , Patil Dilip , Sabarinath Kannan , Mathapati Basavaraj , Sahay Rima , Patil Deepak , Yadav Pragya D.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Since 2018, the Indian state of Kerala has reported four Nipah virus (NiV) disease outbreaks, raising concerns about NiV spillover from bats to the human population. Considering this, a cross-sectional study was undertaken in the Pteropus medius bat population around the Nipah virus-affected regions of Kozhikode, Kerala, India, during February, July, and September 2023.

Methods

Throat swabs, rectal swabs, and organ samples were collected from bats to test for NiV using the real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), while serum samples were screened for anti-Nipah IgG antibodies through ELISA.

Results

An overall seroprevalence of 20.9% was observed in 272 P. medius bats tested. The throat and rectal swab samples of 321 bats were negative for NiV RNA. However, 4 of 44 P. medius bats tested positive for NiV in their liver/spleen samples. The partial N gene retrieved showed more than 99% similarity with the earlier reported NiV genome from Kerala state, India.

Discussion

The findings of the study caution that there is a spillover risk in the region and necessary precautions should be taken.
Roles of CcDFR and CcOMT9 in the cyanidin biosynthesis and development of Cordyceps cicadae
Authors: Zeng Zixuan , Zou Yu , Cai Weiming , Lin Fu-Cheng , Wang Hongkai
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Cordyceps cicadae is a traditional Chinese medicinal fungus known for its rich production of bioactive substances, particularly cyanidin, an anthocyanin commonly found in plants with notable anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. This study revealed two key genes, CcDFR and CcOMT9, affecting cyanidin biosynthesis in C. cicadae.

Methods

The roles of these genes in cyanidin production, growth, and development were elucidated through the gene knockout method, phenotypic analysis, transcriptomics, and metabolomics.

Results

CcDFR deletion led to reduced cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G), suppressed expression of cyanidin biosynthesis genes, impaired synnemata formation, decreased polysaccharide and adenosine content, and diminished chitinase activity. Meanwhile, the ΔCcOMT9 mutant exhibited an increase in C3G production, promoted expression of cyanidin biosynthesis genes and rising bioactive compounds, suppressed RNA methylation, and led to phenylalanine accumulation with no effect on fruiting body formation.

Discussion

We revealed a distinct anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway in C. cicadae and identified two genes with opposite functions, laying the foundation for future genetic modification of cyanidin-producing strains using modern biological techniques. This will shorten the production period of this valuable compound, facilitating the industrial-scale production of cyanidin.
Genomic and functional analysis of the mucinolytic species Clostridium celatum, Clostridium tertium, and Paraclostridium bifermentans
Authors: Candeliere Francesco , Musmeci Eliana , Sola Laura , Amaretti Alberto , Raimondi Stefano , Rossi Maddalena
Published: March 2024

Mucins are large glycoproteins whose degradation requires the expression of several glycosil hydrolases to catalyze the cleavage of the oligosaccharide chains and release monosaccharides that can be assimilated. In this study, we present a characterization on the strains Clostridium celatum WC0700, Clostridium tertium WC0709, and Paraclostridium bifermentans WC0705. These three strains were previously isolated from enrichment cultures on mucin of fecal samples from healthy subjects and can use mucin as sole carbon and nitrogen source. Genome analysis and in vitro functional analysis of these strains elucidated their physiological and biochemical features. C. celatum WC0700 harbored the highest number of glycosyl hydrolases specific for mucin degradation, while P. bifermentans WC0705 had the least. These predicted differences were confirmed growing the strains on 5 mucin-decorating monosaccharides (L-fucose, N-Acetylneuraminic acid, galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, and N-acetylglucosamine) as only source of carbon. Fermenting mucin, they all produced formic, acetic, propionic, butyric, isovaleric, and lactic acids, and ethanol; acetic acid was the main primary metabolite. Further catabolic capabilities were investigated, as well as antibiotic susceptibility, biofilm formation, tolerance to oxygen and temperature. The potential pathogenicity of the strains was evaluated through in silico research of virulence factors. The merge between comparative and functional genomics and biochemical/physiological characterization provided a comprehensive view of these mucin degraders, reassuring on the safety of these species and leaving ample scope for deeper investigations on the relationship with the host and for assessing if some relevant health-promoting effect could be ascribed to these SCFA producing species.
Arterial supply and morphological characteristics of sympathetic neurons in the human superior cervical ganglion
Authors: Boljanović Jelena , Milisavljević Milan , Latas Milan , Puškaš Laslo , Bogosavljević Nikola , Vujačić Marko , Aleksandrić Dejan , Ćetković Dejan , Branković Nemanja , Dožić Aleksandra , Ćetković Mila
Published: March 2024

The aim of this study was the micromorphological analysis of the distribution of microvessels, mast cells and ganglionic neurons in two parts, proximal and distal of the human superior cervical sympathetic ganglions (SCSGs). Statistical analyses were applied to detect the possible metric regional differences in their densities. Five injected human SCSGs with colored India ink and gelatin were microdissected and examined. Second group of five human SCSGs was prepared and serially sliced for CD34 and mast cell tryptase immunostaining. The microscopic fields of two parts of the SCSGs were analyzed for the following quantifications: microvessel density (MVD), mast cell density (MCD), and ganglionic cell count and measurements. The mean number of CD34-positive microvessels in microscopic fields, the MVD, had a value of 83 for the upper parts, and 82.7 for the lower parts of SCSGs. The mean number of tryptase-positive mast cells in microscopic fields, the MCD, was 4.5 in the proximal parts, and 4.7 in the distal parts of SCSGs. The mean number of ganglionic neurons in microscopic fields was 19.5 in the proximal parts, and 19.8 in the distal parts of SCSGs. The density of CD34-positive microvessels, the density of tryptase-positive mast cells, and the density, mean diameters and mean areas of ganglionic neurons were not significantly different in two observed parts, upper and lower of the SCSGs. In conclusion, the distributions of microvessels, mast cells, and neurons in two parts of the SCSGs were uniform with no specific micromorphological variations, there is a homogenous vascular and cellular pattern within the SCSGs.
Multimodal audio-visual robot fusing 3D CNN and CRNN for player behavior recognition and prediction in basketball matches
Authors: Wang Haiyan
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Intelligent robots play a crucial role in enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and improving safety in the logistics industry. However, traditional path planning methods often struggle to adapt to dynamic environments, leading to issues such as collisions and conflicts. This study aims to address the challenges of path planning and control for logistics robots in complex environments.

Methods

The proposed method integrates information from different perception modalities to achieve more accurate path planning and obstacle avoidance control, thereby enhancing the autonomy and reliability of logistics robots. Firstly, a 3D convolutional neural network (CNN) is employed to learn the feature representation of objects in the environment for object recognition. Next, long short-term memory (LSTM) is used to model spatio-temporal features and predict the behavior and trajectory of dynamic obstacles. This enables the robot to accurately predict the future position of obstacles in complex environments, reducing collision risks. Finally, the Dijkstra algorithm is applied for path planning and control decisions to ensure the robot selects the optimal path in various scenarios.

Results

Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in terms of path planning accuracy and obstacle avoidance performance. The method outperforms traditional approaches, showing significant improvements in both aspects.

Discussion

The intelligent path planning and control scheme presented in this paper enhances the practicality of logistics robots in complex environments, thereby promoting efficiency and safety in the logistics industry.
The role of microRNAs in axon regeneration after peripheral nerve injury: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Shoukeer Kutiluke , Aierxiding Shalayiding , Aisaiti Aikebaierjiang , Haibier Abuduwupuer , Liu Chunhua , Jia Zhiwei , Aili Abudunaibi , Shu Li , Jiang Kan , Muheremu Aikeremujiang
Published: March 2024

Objective

This study analyzed the current research hotspots and future development trends of the therapeutic effects of microRNA on PNI axonal regeneration through bibliometric methods. Moreover, the current advantages and disadvantages of this field as well as future development prospects are discussed in depth.

Methods

CiteSpace V and VOSviewer were used as bibliometric tools to complete the analysis of the research focus and direction of the published articles. To supplement, sort out, and summarize, we analyzed the research status of the study on the application of microRNAs for axonal regeneration after peripheral nerve injury from 2013 to 2023.

Results

A total of 207 publications were retrieved from the Web of Science database. After exclusion and screening, a final selection of 174 articles that met the research criteria. These 174 articles were authored by a total of 846 individuals, representing 24 countries and 199 institutions. Additionally, this study presents information on the annual publication output, country distribution, top 5 contributing authors, top 5 most cited articles, and top 10 contributing institutions.

Conclusion

As one of the hottest topics today, microRNAs have become the current research hotspot in neural inflammation, neural cell repair and regeneration, neural protection, and functional recovery. With more investment in research in this field, more high-quality articles will be published in both domestic and international outstanding journals, which will bring a new era for the treatment of peripheral nerve injury.
Convenience stores: an obesogenic promoter in a metropolitan area of northern Mexico?
Authors: Ávila Arcos Marco Antonio , Shamah Levy Teresa , Del Monte Vega Marti Yareli , Chávez Villasana Adolfo , Ávila Curiel Abelardo
Published: March 2024

Introduction

The prevalence of obesity in the Mexican school-age (5–11 years old) population increased from 8.9 to 18.1% between 1999 and 2022. Although overweight and obesity (OW + Ob) is a complex and multifactorial phenomenon, alongside its increasing trend, changes in eating patterns as a result of obesogenic environments that promote higher energy intake have been documented. The objective of the present study was to detect possible associations between schools and their proximity to and density of convenience stores in Monterrey, Mexico from 2015 to 2018.

Materials and methods

Anthropometric data were obtained from a subset of measurements of the National Registry of Weight and Height (RNPT) performed in the Monterrey Mexico metropolitan area in 2015 and 2018, and obesity prevalence was computed and classified into quintiles at the school level. Convenience store data were obtained from the National Directory of Economic Units (DNUE). The analyses consisted of densities within 400-800 m buffers, distance to the nearest stores, and cartographic visualization of the store’s kernel density versus OW + Ob hotspots for both periods.

Results

A total of 175,804 children in 2015 and 175,964 in 2018 belonging to 1,552 elementary schools were included in the study; during this period, OW + Ob prevalence increased from 38.7 to 39.3%, and a directly proportional relationship was found between the quintiles with the higher OW + Ob prevalence and the number of stores for both radii. Hotspots of OW + Ob ranged from 63 to 91 between 2015 and 2018, and it was visually confirmed that such spots were associated with areas with a higher density of convenience stores regardless of socioeconomic conditions.

Conclusion

Although some relationships between the store’s proximity/density and OW + Ob could be identified, more research is needed to gather evidence about this. However, due to the trends and the magnitude of the problem, guidelines aimed at limiting or reducing the availability of junk food and sweetened beverages on the school’s periphery must be implemented to control the obesogenic environment.
Zinc contents in foods and estimates of dietary intakes in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
Authors: Mai Wenqiang , Wang Fan , He Shuyou , Wen Yanmao , Yu Guanghui , Zhang Lei , Dong Hanying
Published: March 2024

Zinc is one of human essential metals. In this study, 101 kinds of daily food for residents, including vegetables, aquatic food, meat, fruits, rice and cereal products, pulse food, dairy products and eggs, were collected at various agricultural markets and supermarkets in Guangzhou city, China, and their zinc contents were determined. The results showed oyster is most abundant in zinc (703.5 ± 25.6 mg/kg), followed by high-zinc milk powder (58.63 ± 0.90 mg/kg), pulse food, mutton, beef and pig liver with zinc contents above 30 mg/kg. The zinc contents of rice and cereal products, milk powder, poultry, pork, some aquatic food and eggs are also relatively high (>10 mg/kg), while vegetables and fruits have zinc contents significantly below 10 mg/kg. The daily zinc intake per person was determined by considering the zinc content of various food types and the dietary habits of specific demographic groups, resulting in 12.3 mg/day for the normal person, 11.2 mg/day for low-income individual, 12.3 mg/day for middle-income individual, 13.3 mg/day for high-income individual, 10.2 mg/day for older individual, 12.9 mg/day for factory worker, 11.5 mg/day for college student, and 8.4 mg/day for kindergarten child. The reference values of zinc intake recommended by the Chinese Nutrition Society were used to evaluate the zinc intake of Guangzhou residents, showing that the residents’ zinc intake is generally sufficient and not necessary to use zinc supplementation. Income, age and occupation could have posed influence on dietary intake of zinc.
Platelet-lymphocyte ratio predicts chemotherapy response and prognosis in patients with gastric cancer undergoing radical resection
Authors: Zeng Qingnuo , Wang Shilong , Bai Zilong , Nie Yuanhua , Xu Longwen , Chang Dongmin
Published: March 2024

Background

Amounting literatures have reported the significance of systemic inflammatory markers for evaluating tumor prognosis. But few studies have systematically compared their superiority and their impact on adjuvant chemotherapy.

Aims

We aimed to investigate the ability of inflammatory markers to predict the efficacy of chemotherapy in GC patients undergoing radical therapy and to identify an effective methodology based on the study’s findings that would enable clinicians to differentiate between chemotherapy-responsive populations.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 730 GC patients who underwent radical gastrectomy. Fibrinogen (FIB), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and lymph node ratio (LNR) were grouped according to cutoff values. Their clinical significance for GC prognosis was determined by multivariate COX regression analysis in the 730 GC patients and high/low PLR status subgroups. Cases were divided into four groups according to PLR status and adjuvant chemotherapy status and survival was compared among groups.

Results

Multivariate analysis showed that PLR was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of GC patients. Adjuvant chemotherapy improved survival more significantly in patients with low PLR than that with high PLR. Among patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, low PLR was significantly associated with prolonged survival in TNM stage II, but not in TNM stage III.

Conclusion

Preoperative high PLR is an independent risk factor for GC patients undergoing radical gastrectomy and adversely affects the postoperative chemotherapy effect.
Reverse-sequence endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate implant-based breast reconstruction: an improvement of conventional minimal access breast surgery
Authors: Chung Kawun , Xie Yanyan , Liang Faqing , Qiu Mengxue , Yang Huanzuo , Zhang Qing , Dai Hui , Du Zhenggui
Published: March 2024

Background

Our center proposes a new technique that effectively provides space to broaden the surgical field of view and overcomes the limitations of endoscopy-assisted nipple-sparing mastectomy (E-NSM) by changing the dissection sequence and combining it with air inflation. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of the new technique designated “reverse-sequence endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy (R-E-NSM) with subpectoral breast reconstruction (SBR)“ and the conventional E-NSM (C-E-NSM) with SBR.

Method

All patients undergoing E-NSM with SBR at our breast center between April 2017 and December 2022 were included in this study. The cohort was divided into the C-E-NSM group and the R-E-NSM group. The operation time, anesthesia time, medical cost, complications, cosmetic outcomes, and oncological safety were compared.

Results

Twenty-six and seventy-nine consecutive patients were included in the C-E-NSM and R-E-NSM groups, with average ages of 36.9 ± 7.0 years and 39.7 ± 8.4 years (P=0.128). Patients in the R-E-NSM group had significantly shorter operation time (204.6 ± 59.2 vs. 318.9 ± 75.5 minutes, p<0.001) and anesthesia time (279.4 ± 83.9 vs. 408.9 ± 87.4 minutes, p<0.001) and decreased medical costs [5063.4 (4439.6-6532.3) vs. 6404.2 (5152.5-7981.5), USD, p=0.001] and increase SCAR-Q scores (77.2 ± 17.1 vs. 68.8 ± 8.7, P=0.002) compared to the C-E-NSM group. Although trends increased in both the excellent rate of Ueda scores (53.8% vs. 42.3%, P = 0.144), excellent rate of Harris scores (44.0% vs. 63.1%, P=0.102), and decreased surgical complications (7.6% vs. 19.2%, P = 0.135) were observed in the R-E-NSM group, the differences were not significant. There were no significant differences in oncological outcomes between the two groups.

Conclusion

R-E-NSM improves cosmetic outcomes and efficiency of C-E-NSM, reduces medical costs, and has a trend of lower surgical complications while maintaining the safety of oncology. It is a safe and feasible option for oncological procedures that deserves to be promoted and widely adopted in practice.
Hyperglycemia in pregnancy did not worsen the short-term outcomes of very preterm infants: a propensity score matching study
Authors: Li Ying , Shen Wei , Zhang Rong , Mao Jian , Liu Ling , Chang Yan-Mei , Ye Xiu-Zhen , Qiu Yin-Ping , Ma Li , Cheng Rui , Wu Hui , Chen Dong-Mei , Chen Ling , Xu Ping , Mei Hua , Wang San-Nan , Xu Fa-Lin , Ju Rong , Tong Xiao-Mei , Lin Xin-Zhu , Wu Fan
Published: March 2024

Background

Hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HGP) has generally been considered a risk factor associated with adverse outcomes in offspring, but its impact on the short-term outcomes of very preterm infants remains unclear.

Methods

A secondary analysis was performed based on clinical data collected prospectively from 28 hospitals in seven regions of China from September 2019 to December 2020. According to maternal HGP, all infants were divided into the HGP group or the non-HGP group. A propensity score matching analysis was used to adjust for confounding factors, including gestational age, twin or multiple births, sex, antenatal steroid administration, delivery mode and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The main complications and the short-term growth status during hospitalization were evaluated in the HGP and non-HGP groups.

Results

A total of 2,514 infants were eligible for analysis. After matching, there were 437 infants in the HGP group and 874 infants in the non-HGP group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in main complications including respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, retinopathy of prematurity, patent ductus arteriosus, culture positive sepsis, intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, anemia, feeding intolerance, metabolic bone disease of prematurity, or parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis. The incidences of extrauterine growth retardation and increased growth retardation for weight and head circumference in the non-HGP group were all higher than those in the HGP group after matching (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

HGP did not worsen the short-term outcomes of the surviving very preterm infants, as it did not lead to a higher risk of the main neonatal complications, and the infants’ growth improved during hospitalization.
The epidemiological characteristics of liver disease in hospitalized children: a 10-year single-center retrospective study
Authors: Chen Fan , Huang Yuan , Huang Zhihua , Fang Feng , Zhou Hua , Shu Sainan
Published: March 2024

Background

This investigation aimed to examine the epidemiological characteristics of children with liver disease hospitalized for the first time between June 2012 and May 2022 in a tertiary hospital.

Methods

The study retrospectively recruited children aged between 29 days and 18 years who had been hospitalized for liver disease. Clinical characteristics were categorized by age and etiology, and time trends were assessed using linear regression analysis.

Results

A total of 4,313 children were recruited, with a median age of 0.7 (0.2–4.5) years, and 54.5% of the cases were in the 0–1 years age group. Infection was the primary cause of liver disease (30.0%), followed by undiagnosed cases (25.8%), biliary obstructive disease (15.9%), inherited metabolic liver disease (13.9%), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (3.2%). Genetic diagnoses were established in 43.9% (478/1,088) of patients. The percentage of NAFLD demonstrated an upward trend from 1.2% in 2012 to 12.6% in 2022 (p = 0.006). In contrast, the percentage of cytomegalovirus hepatitis decreased from 13.3% in 2012 to 3.4% in 2022 (p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Liver disease in infancy makes up the largest group in pediatric liver disease. Infection remains the leading cause of pediatric liver disease. Hospital admissions for NAFLD in children have increased rapidly over the past decade, while cytomegalovirus hepatitis has declined markedly.
Timeline of diagnosed pain causes in children with severe neurological impairment
Authors: Peri Francesca , Magni Elena , Pigani Filippo , Romoli Raffaella , Vetrella Simona , De Zen Lucia , Sagredini Raffaella , Barbi Egidio , Cozzi Giorgio
Published: March 2024

Objective

Pain's causes in children with severe cognitive impairment may be challenging to diagnose. This study aimed to investigate if there is a relationship between pain causes and the age of children.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter retrospective study in three Italian Pediatric Units. Eligible subjects were patients from 1 to 18 years with severe neurological impairment. We collected data regarding diagnoses, pain causes and medical or surgical procedures. The timing of pain episodes was categorized into age-related periods: infants and toddlers (0–24 months), preschool children (3–5 years), schoolchildren (6–12 years), and adolescents (13–17 years).

Results

Eighty children with severe neurological impairment were enrolled. The mean age was 11 years (±5.8). Gastroenterological pain was most common in the first years of life (p = 0.004), while orthopaedic and tooth pain was the most typical in schoolchildren and adolescents (p = 0.001 and p = 0.02). Concerning surgical procedures, PEG placement and gastric fundoplication were significantly more common in the first 5 years of age (p = 0.03), and heart surgery was typical of infants (p = 0.04). Orthopaedic surgery was more commonly reported in older children and adolescents (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Some causes of pain are more frequent in children with severe neurological impairment in defined age-related periods. Specific age-related pain frequencies may help physicians in the diagnostic approach.
Chinese medicine Phragmites communis (Lu Gen) for acute respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Fang Min , Kong Ling-Yao , Ji Guang-He , Pu Feng-Lan , Su You-Zhu , Li Yu-Fei , Moore Michael , Willcox Merlin , Trill Jeanne , Hu Xiao-Yang , Liu Jian-Ping
Published: March 2024

Background: Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are the most common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with most people experiencing at least one episode per year. Current treatment options are mainly symptomatic therapy. Antivirals, antibiotics, and glucocorticoids are of limited benefit for most infections. Traditional Chinese medicine has shown potential benefits in the treatment of ARTIs.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy, effectiveness, and safety of Phragmites communis Trin. (P. communis, a synonym of Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud) as monotherapy or as part of an herb mixture for ARTIs.

Method: Eight databases and two clinical trial registries were searched from inception to 8 February 2023 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating any preparation involving P. communis without language restrictions. The Risk of Bias Tool 2.0 was used to assess the risk of bias of the included trials. RevMan 5.3 software was used for data analyses with effects estimated as risk ratios (RRs), mean differences (MDs), or standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The online GRADEpro tool was used to assess the certainty of the evidence, if available.

Results: Forty-two RCTs involving 6,879 patients with ARTIs were included, with all trials investigating P. communis as part of an herbal mixture. Of the included trials, the majority (38/42) were considered high risk. Compared to the placebo, P. communis preparations improved the cure rate [RR = 1.60, 95% CI (1.13, 2.26)] and fever clearance time [MD = −2.73 h, 95% CI (−4.85, −0.61)]. Compared to usual care alone, P. communis preparations also significantly improved the cure rate [RR = 1.57, 95% CI (1.36, 1.81)] and fever clearance time [SMD = −1.24, 95% CI (−2.37, −0.11)]. P. communis preparations plus usual care compared to usual care alone increased the cure rate [RR = 1.55, 95% CI (1.35, 1.78)], shortened the fever clearance time [MD = −19.31 h, 95% CI (−33.35, −5.27)], and improved FEV1 [ MD = 0.19 L, 95% CI (0.13, 0.26)] and FVC [ MD = 0.16 L, 95% CI (0.03, 0.28)].

Conclusion: Low- or very low-certainty evidence suggests that P. communis preparations may improve the cure rate of ARTIs, shorten the fever clearance time in febrile patients, and improve the pulmonary function of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or chronic bronchitis. However, these findings are inconclusive and need to be confirmed in rigorously designed trials.

Systematic review registration: PROSPERO, identifier CRD42021239936
Evaluation of the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network in lungs of miR-147 −/− mice
Authors: Zhang Nan , Song Gui-Yuan , Yu Qing-Hua , Fan Xin-Ming , Zhang Wen-Shuo , Hu Yong-Jian , Chao Tian-Zhu , Wu Yao-Yao , Duan Shu-Yan , Wang Fei , Du Rui-Peng , Xu Ping
Published: March 2024

Background: Previous studies have documented important roles for microRNA-147 (miR-147) in inflammation, radiation-induced injury, cancer, and a range of other diseases. Murine lungs exhibit high levels of miRNA, mRNA, and lncRNA expression. However, very little research to date has focused on the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks associated with miR-147, and the regulation of lncRNAs and miRNAs in this setting remains poorly understood.

Methods: After establishing a miR-147−/− model mouse, samples of lung tissue were harvested for RNA-sequencing, and differentially expressed lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs were identified. The miRNA targets of these lncRNAs and the identified miRNAs were first overlapped to facilitate the prediction of target mRNAs, with analyses then examining the overlap between these targets and mRNAs that were differentially expressed. Then, these target mRNAs were subjected to pathway enrichment analyses. These results were ultimately used to establish a miR-147-related ceRNA network.

Results: Relative to wild-type mice, the lungs of miR-147−/− mice exhibited 91, 43, and 71 significantly upregulated lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs, respectively, together with 114, 31, and 156 that were significantly downregulated. The lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network established based on these results led to the identification of Kcnh6 as a differentially expressed hub gene candidate and enabled the identification of a range of regulatory relationships. KEGG pathway enrichment showed that the mRNA targets of differentially expressed lncRNAs and miRNAs in the mice were associated with tumor-related signaling, endometrial cancer, bladder cancer, and ErbB signaling.

Conclusion: These results suggest that the identified ceRNA network in miR-147−/− mice shapes tumor-associated signaling activity, with miR-147 potentially regulating various lncRNAs and miRNAs through Kcnh6, ultimately influencing tumorigenesis. Future studies of the lncRNA, miRNA, and mRNA regulatory targets shown to be associated with miR-147 in the present study may ultimately lead to the identification of novel clinically relevant targets through which miR-147 shapes the pathogenesis of cancer and other diseases.