bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Value of Glycated Hemoglobin in Frail Older Diabetic Patients With Hip Fracture
Authors: Paterni Simone , Okoye Chukwuma , Calabrese Alessia M. , Niccolai Filippo , Polini Antonio , Caraccio Nadia , Calsolaro Valeria , Monzani Fabio
Published: November 2021

Background

Previous studies have shown increased risk of fracture in older patients with poor or strict glycemic control (glycated hemoglobin, HbA1c, ≥ 8% or < 6-7% respectively); however, these reports did not investigate the oldest-old population. Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and a patient-centered approach have been proven to improve the quality of care in the management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in the older patients, but data regarding T2DM in patients with fragility fractures are still lacking.

Aim

To investigate the prognostic role of HbA1c and frailty level in older diabetic patients admitted for hip fracture.

Methods

Prospective observational cohort study conducted on diabetic geriatric patients consecutively hospitalized for hip fracture in the orthogeriatric unit of a tertiary care hospital. Preoperative comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) was performed. Using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), diabetic patients were categorized in robust (CFS < 5) and frail (CFS ≥ 5), and further stratified according to HbA1c values [Tertile 1 (T1) HbA1c < 48 mmol/mol, Tertile 2 (T2) 48-58 mmol/mol and Tertile 3 (T3) > 58 mmol/mol). Comparisons between continuous variables were performed with analysis of non-parametric test for independent samples, while relationships between categorical variables were assessed by chi-square test. Using logistic multivariate regression, we evaluated the determinants of 1-year all-cause mortality in diabetic older patients with hip fracture.

Results

Among the 1319 older patients (mean age 82.8 ± 7.5 years, 75.9% females) hospitalized for hip fracture, 204 (15.5%) had a previous diagnosis of T2DM. T2DM patients showed an increased proportion of multiple concurrent fractures occurred during the accidental fall or syncope (12.7% vs 11.2%, p=0.02). One-year mortality after hip fracture surgery was significantly higher in T2DM as compared to not diabetic patients (21.2% vs 12.5%, p<0.001). No significant difference in mortality was found across HbA1c tertiles; however, frail diabetic patients in the second and third HbA1c tertiles showed higher mortality risk compared to the robust counterparts (26.9% vs 5%, p=0.001 for T2 and 43.5% vs 13.3%, p=<0.05 for T3), while no difference was observed among those in T1.

Conclusions

Frail patients with HbA1c ≥ 48 mmol/L showed an increased mortality risk as compared to robust counterparts. CFS represents an important tool to select diabetic subjects with higher likelihood of adverse outcome.
Perceptive Factors That Affect Household Food Consumption Among Different Grassland Areas: A Case Study Based on Fuzzy Cognitive Map
Authors: Yang Wanni , Zhen Lin , Wei Yunjie , Xiao Yu
Published: November 2021

Food consumption acts as an intermediary between ecosystems and human systems in grassland areas. In this study, we generated a fuzzy cognitive map (FCM) to obtain a semi-quantitative assessment of impact factors on food consumption in the Xilin Gol Grassland, China, from the perception of local rural households. Based on it, the food consumption impact factors networks of households in Xilin Gol Grassland were created. Results showed that household recognition of food consumption impact factors differed among grassland transects in both amount and category, and the results of principal component analysis (PCA) ascertain such differences and transitions. Livestock breeding, income, local economic development, consumption habit, age, food price, and cost were the most important impact factors mentioned by both farmers and herdsmen. From south to north in the grassland transects, households' cognition of ecological and economic factors increased, and the cognition of personal and social factors decreased. Differences in supply, culture, customs, and socioeconomic characteristics affected the cognition of households and their livelihoods, which influenced impact factors as well as associated connections. The role of livestock breeding also validated the connection between human actives and the grassland ecosystem. Results from this study can be used as a reference for policymakers during decision-making processes respective of regional sustainable development.
Exposing the Effects of Environmental Regulations on China’s Green Total Factor Productivity: Results From Econometrics Analysis and Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Feng Junyi , Yan Jianjun , Tao Xia
Published: November 2021

With the increasingly obvious restriction of the ecological environment on economic development, environmental regulations are widely used to achieve “green production,” that is, to improve green total factor productivity (GTFP). First, through the econometric model, it can be concluded that command-based environmental regulations could improve GTFP, while market-based environmental regulations have no significant impact on GTFP. Unlike traditional econometric models, machine learning has no specific data requirements and research assumptions. We use Lasso regression to verify the above results by obtaining the optimal tuning parameter. Furthermore, considering that the leap of China’s economy is inseparable from foreign direct investment (FDI), we use FDI as a threshold variable. The threshold model results showe that when the intensity of FDI in China ranges between 1.2492 and 1.588, both types of environmental regulations can significantly promote GTFP. These conclusions passed the robustness test. Given the differences in economy and resource endowment among different regions in China, a regional heterogeneity test is conducted. The results show that the current environmental regulations in eastern and central China have no significant impact on GTFP. However, when the intensity of FDI in central China is greater than 3.6868, environmental regulations have a significant promoting effect on GTFP. In western China, when FDI intensity ranges between 1.3950 and 1.5880, market-based environmental regulations can significantly promote GTFP. Further, the path test of the mediation effect model reveals that command-based environmental regulations reduce GTFP by reducing FDI. The above conclusions provide empirical data for the intensity of FDI in different regions of China to improve GTFP.
Genetic Studies of Metabolic Syndrome in Arab Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Al-Homedi Zahrah , Afify Nariman , Memon Mashal , Alsafar Habiba , Tay Guan , Jelinek Herbert F. , Mousa Mira , Abu-Samra Nadia , Osman Wael
Published: November 2021

Background: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is prevalent in Arabian populations. Several small-scale studies have been performed to investigate the genetic basis of MetS. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine whether candidate gene polymorphisms are associated with MetS susceptibility among ethnic groups of the Arabian world and to suggest possible directions for future research regarding genetic markers and MetS.

Methods: A search was conducted for peer-reviewed articles that examined the genetic association of MetS in Arabian populations in the following databases: Medline, Embase, Scopus, Direct Science, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Google Scholar until March 31, 2021. Articles were eligible if they were case-control studies, which investigated MetS as a dichotomous outcome (MetS vs no MetS). To assess the quality of the studies, the Q-Genie tool (Quality of Genetic Association Studies) was used. A non-central chi2 (random-effect) distribution was used to determine the heterogeneity (H) of Q and I (Galassi et al., The American journal of medicine, 2006, 119, 812–819) statistics.

Results: Our search strategy identified 36 studies that met our inclusion criteria. In most cases, studies were excluded due to a lack of statistical information such as odds ratios, confidence intervals, and p-values. According to the Q-Genie tool, 12 studies scored poorly (a score of≤35), 13 studies scored moderately ( >35 and≤45), and 12 studies had good quality ( >45 or higher). The most frequently studied genes were FTO and VDR (both included in four studies). Three SNPs indicated increased risk for MetS after calculating the pooled odds ratios: FTO-rs9939609 (odds ratio 1.49, 95% CI: 0.96–2.32); LEP-rs7799039 (odds ratio 1.85, 95% CI: 1.37–2.5); and SERPINA12-rs2236242 (odds ratio 1.65, 95% CI: 1.21–2.24). Meta-analysis studies showed no significant heterogeneity.

Conclusion: There were many sources of heterogeneity in the study settings. Most of the studies had low to moderate quality because of sample size and power issues, not considering all potential sources of bias, and not providing details about genotyping methods and results. As most studies were small-scale, aimed to replicate findings from other populations, we did not find any unique genetic association between MetS and Arabian populations.
Whole-Genome Identification and Comparative Expression Analysis of Anthocyanin Biosynthetic Genes in Brassica napus
Authors: He Dan , Zhang Dawei , Li Ting , Liu Lili , Zhou Dinggang , Kang Lei , Wu Jinfeng , Liu Zhongsong , Yan Mingli
Published: November 2021

Anthocyanins contribute to most colors of plants and play protective roles in response to abiotic stresses. Brassica napus is widely cultivated worldwide as both an oilseed and a vegetable. However, only several high anthocyanin-containing cultivars have been reported, and the mechanisms of anthocyanin accumulation have not been well-elucidated in B. napus. Here, the phenotype, comparative whole-genome identification, and gene expression analysis were performed to investigate the dynamic change of the anthocyanin content and the gene expression patterns of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes (ABGs) in B. napus. A total of 152 ABGs were identified in the B. napus reference genome. To screen out the critical genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis and accumulation, the RNA-seq of young leaves of two B. napus lines with purple leaves (PL) or green leaves (GL), and their F1 progeny at 41, 91, and 101 days were performed to identify the differentially expressed genes. The comparative expression analysis of these ABGs indicated that the upregulation of TT8 together with its target genes (such as DFR, ANS, UFGT, and TT19) might promote the anthocyanin accumulation in PL at the early developmental stage (41–91 days). While the downregulation of those ABGs and anthocyanin degradation at the late developmental stage (91–101 days) might result in the decrease in anthocyanin accumulation. Our results would enhance the understanding of the regulatory network of anthocyanin dynamic accumulation in B. napus.
Study on the Relationship Between the Expression of B Cell Mature Antigen and the Classification, Stage, and Prognostic Factors of Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Ma Tiantian , Shi Jing , Xiao Yuxia , Bian Tianyue , Wang Jincheng , Hui Lingyun , Wang Mengchang , Liu Huasheng
Published: November 2021

The expression level of BCMA in bone marrow of 54 MM patients was detected in this study to explore the relationship between the BCMA expression and the classification, stage, and prognostic factors of MM. The BCMA expression level of the stable group and remission group was lower than that of the newly diagnosed group and relapse group (P=0.001). There was no significant difference in BCMA expression of MM patients in different types and stages (P>0.05), but it was found that for the newly diagnosed MM patients, the BCMA expression level of IgG patients was higher than that of IgA or light-chain patients (rank average 11.20 vs 5.44, P=0.014). There was no significant correlation between the BCMA expression and the age and serum creatinine of MM patients (P>0.05). And there was no significant difference in BCMA expression between patients with different levels of age and serum creatinine (P>0.05). But it was found that the BCMA expression level of the newly diagnosed MM patients was moderately positively correlated with their age (P=0.025, r=0.595). There was no significant correlation between the BCMA expression and serum β2-microglobulin, serum lactate dehydrogenase, free kap/lam ratio, and urine β2-microglobulin (P>0.05). But we found that the BCMA expression of patients with high serum β2-microglobulin was higher than that of patients with low serum β2-microglobulin (rank average 28.89 vs 17.54, P=0.017). And the BCMA expression of patients with abnormal serum free kap/lam ratio was higher than that of patients with normal ratio (rank average 28.49 vs 13.55, P=0.004). The BCMA expression was strongly positively correlated with 24-h urine protein, was moderately positively correlated with serum M protein and the percentage of plasma cells in bone marrow, was moderately negatively correlated with albumin and hemoglobin count, and was weakly positively correlated with serum corrected calcium (P<0.05). And it was found that the BCMA expression of positive serum immunofixation electrophoresis patients was higher than that of negative patients (rank average 29.94 vs 16.75, P=0.017). And we try to clarify the relationship between the bone marrow BCMA expression and the peripheral blood sBCMA expression. However, we have not found a clear correlation between them so far (P>0.05).
Proteomic Approaches to Defining Remission and the Risk of Relapse in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: O’Neil Liam J. , Hu Pingzhao , Liu Qian , Islam Md. Mohaiminul , Spicer Victor , Rech Juergen , Hueber Axel , Anaparti Vidyanand , Smolik Irene , El-Gabalawy Hani S. , Schett Georg , Wilkins John A.
Published: November 2021

Objectives

Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) are increasingly achieving stable disease remission, yet the mechanisms that govern ongoing clinical disease and subsequent risk of future flare are not well understood. We sought to identify serum proteomic alterations that dictate clinically important features of stable RA, and couple broad-based proteomics with machine learning to predict future flare.

Methods

We studied baseline serum samples from a cohort of stable RA patients (RETRO, n = 130) in clinical remission (DAS28<2.6) and quantified 1307 serum proteins using the SOMAscan platform. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering and supervised classification were applied to identify proteomic-driven clusters and model biomarkers that were associated with future disease flare after 12 months of follow-up and RA medication withdrawal. Network analysis was used to define pathways that were enriched in proteomic datasets.

Results

We defined 4 proteomic clusters, with one cluster (Cluster 4) displaying a lower mean DAS28 score (p = 0.03), with DAS28 associating with humoral immune responses and complement activation. Clustering did not clearly predict future risk of flare, however an XGboost machine learning algorithm classified patients who relapsed with an AUC (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve) of 0.80 using only baseline serum proteomics.

Conclusions

The serum proteome provides a rich dataset to understand stable RA and its clinical heterogeneity. Combining proteomics and machine learning may enable prediction of future RA disease flare in patients with RA who aim to withdrawal therapy.
Mechanisms of Immunosuppressive Tumor Evasion: Focus on Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Jiménez-Morales Silvia , Aranda-Uribe Ivan Sammir , Pérez-Amado Carlos Jhovani , Ramírez-Bello Julian , Hidalgo-Miranda Alfredo
Published: November 2021

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignancy with high heterogeneity in its biological features and treatments. Although the overall survival (OS) of patients with ALL has recently improved considerably, owing to the application of conventional chemo-therapeutic agents, approximately 20% of the pediatric cases and 40–50% of the adult patients relapse during and after the treatment period. The potential mechanisms that cause relapse involve clonal evolution, innate and acquired chemoresistance, and the ability of ALL cells to escape the immune-suppressive tumor response. Currently, immunotherapy in combination with conventional treatment is used to enhance the immune response against tumor cells, thereby significantly improving the OS in patients with ALL. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of immune evasion by leukemia cells could be useful for developing novel therapeutic strategies.
CD5 Surface Expression Marks Intravascular Human Innate Lymphoid Cells That Have a Distinct Ontogeny and Migrate to the Lung
Authors: Alisjahbana Arlisa , Gao Yu , Sleiers Natalie , Evren Elza , Brownlie Demi , von Kries Andreas , Jorns Carl , Marquardt Nicole , Michaëlsson Jakob , Willinger Tim
Published: November 2021

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) contribute to immune defense, yet it is poorly understood how ILCs develop and are strategically positioned in the lung. This applies especially to human ILCs due to the difficulty of studying them in vivo. Here we investigated the ontogeny and migration of human ILCs in vivo with a humanized mouse model (“MISTRG”) expressing human cytokines. In addition to known tissue-resident ILC subsets, we discovered CD5-expressing ILCs that predominantly resided within the lung vasculature and in the circulation. CD5+ ILCs contained IFNγ-producing mature ILC1s as well as immature ILCs that produced ILC effector cytokines under polarizing conditions in vitro. CD5+ ILCs had a distinct ontogeny compared to conventional CD5- ILCs because they first appeared in the thymus, spleen and liver rather than in the bone marrow after transplantation of MISTRG mice with human CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Due to their strategic location, human CD5+ ILCs could serve as blood-borne sentinels, ready to be recruited into the lung to respond to environmental challenges. This work emphasizes the uniqueness of human CD5+ ILCs in terms of their anatomical localization and developmental origin compared to well-studied CD5- ILCs.
Male Macrophages and Fibroblasts from C57/BL6J Mice Are More Susceptible to Inflammatory Stimuli
Authors: Barcena Maria Luisa , Niehues Maximilian H. , Christiansen Céline , Estepa Misael , Haritonow Natalie , Sadighi Amir H. , Müller-Werdan Ursula , Ladilov Yury , Regitz-Zagrosek Vera
Published: November 2021

Mounting evidence argues for the significant impact of sex in numerous cardiac pathologies, including myocarditis. Macrophage polarization and activation of cardiac fibroblasts play a key role in myocardial inflammation and remodeling. However, the role of sex in these processes is still poorly understood. In this study, we investigated sex-specific alterations in the polarization of murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) and the polarization-related changes in fibroblast activation. Cultured male and female murine BMMs from C57/BL6J mice were polarized into M1 (LPS) and M2 (IL-4/IL-13) macrophages. Furthermore, male and female cardiac fibroblasts from C57/BL6J mice were activated with TNF-α, TGF-β, or conditioned medium from M1 BMMs. We found a significant overexpression of M1 markers (c-fos, NFκB, TNF-α, and IL-1β) and M2 markers (MCP-1 and YM1) in male but not female activated macrophages. In addition, the ROS levels were higher in M1 male BMMs, indicating a stronger polarization. Similarly, the pro-fibrotic markers TGF-β and IL-1β were expressed in activated cardiac male fibroblasts at a significantly higher level than in female fibroblasts. In conclusion, the present study provides strong evidence for the male-specific polarization of BMMs and activation of cardiac fibroblasts in an inflammatory environment. The data show an increased inflammatory response and tissue remodeling in male mice.
The Role of Climate, Oceanography, and Prey in Driving Decadal Spatio-Temporal Patterns of a Highly Mobile Top Predator
Authors: Astarloa Amaia , Louzao Maite , Andrade Joana , Babey Lucy , Berrow Simon , Boisseau Oliver , Brereton Tom , Dorémus Ghislain , Evans Peter G. H. , Hodgins Nicola K. , Lewis Mark , Martinez-Cedeira Jose , Pinsky Malin L. , Ridoux Vincent , Saavedra Camilo , Santos M. Begoña , Thorson James T. , Waggitt James J. , Wall Dave , Chust Guillem
Published: November 2021

Marine mammals have been proposed as ecosystem sentinels due to their conspicuous nature, wide ranging distribution, and capacity to respond to changes in ecosystem structure and functioning. In southern European Atlantic waters, their response to climate variability has been little explored, partly because of the inherent difficulty of investigating higher trophic levels and long lifespan animals. Here, we analyzed spatio-temporal patterns from 1994 to 2018 of one of the most abundant cetaceans in the area, the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), in order to (1) explore changes in its abundance and distribution, and (2) identify the underlying drivers. For that, we estimated the density of the species and the center of gravity of its distribution in the Bay of Biscay (BoB) and tested the effect of three sets of potential drivers (climate indices, oceanographic conditions, and prey biomasses) with a Vector Autoregressive Spatio Temporal (VAST) model that accounts for changes in sampling effort resulting from the combination of multiple datasets. Our results showed that the common dolphin significantly increased in abundance in the BoB during the study period. These changes were best explained by climate indices such as the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and by prey species biomass. Oceanographic variables such as chlorophyllaconcentration and temperature were less useful or not related. In addition, we found high variability in the geographic center of gravity of the species within the study region, with shifts between the inner (southeast) and the outer (northwest) part of the BoB, although the majority of this variability could not be attributed to the drivers considered in the study. Overall, these findings indicate that considering temperature alone for projecting spatio-temporal patterns of highly mobile predators is insufficient in this region and suggest important influences from prey and climate indices that integrate multiple ecological influences. Further integration of existing observational datasets to understand the causes of past shifts will be important for making accurate projections into the future.
Underwater Light Characteristics of Turbid Coral Reefs of the Inner Central Great Barrier Reef
Authors: Jones Ross , Pineda Mari-Carmen , Luter Heidi M. , Fisher Rebecca , Francis David , Klonowski Wojciech , Slivkoff Matthew
Published: November 2021

Hyper-spectral and multi-spectral light sensors were used to examine the effects of elevated suspended sediment concentration (SSC) on the quantity and quality (spectral changes) of underwater downwelling irradiance in the turbid-zone coral reef communities of the inner, central Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Under elevated SSCs the shorter blue wavelengths were preferentially attenuated which together with attenuation of longer red wavelengths by pure water shifted the peak in the underwater irradiance spectrum ~100 nm to the less photosynthetically useful green-yellow waveband (peaking at ~575 nm). The spectral changes were attributed to mineral and detrital content of the terrestrially-derived coastal sediments as opposed to chromophoric (coloured) dissolved organic matter (CDOM). A simple blue to green (B/G, λ455:555 nm) ratio was shown to be useful in detecting sediment (turbidity) related decreases in underwater light as opposed to those associated with clouds which acted as neutral density filters. From a series of vertical profiles through turbid water, a simple, multiple component empirical optical model was developed that could accurately predict the light reduction and associated spectral changes as a function of SSC and water depth for a turbid-zone coral reef community of the inner GBR. The relationship was used to assess the response of a light sensitive coral,Pocillopora verrucosain a 28-d exposure laboratory-based exposure study to a daily light integral of 1 or 6 mol quanta m2. PAR with either a broad spectrum or a green-yellow shifted spectrum. Light reduction resulted in a loss of the algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) of the corals (bleaching) and significant reduction in growth and lipid content. The 6 mol quanta m2d−1PAR treatment with a green-yellow spectrum also resulted in a reduction in the algal density, Chl a content per cm2, lipids and growth compared to the same PAR daily light integral under a broad spectrum. Turbid zone coral reef communities are naturally light limited and given the frequency of sediment resuspension events that occur, spectral shifts are a common and previously unrecognised circumstance. Dedicated underwater light monitoring programs and further assessment of the spectral shifts by suspended sediments are essential for contextualising and further understanding the risk of enhanced sediment run-off to the inshore turbid water communities.
Microplastics in Mollusks: Research Progress, Current Contamination Status, Analysis Approaches, and Future Perspectives
Authors: Wang Ruixuan , Mou Hongli , Lin Xiaozhi , Zhu Hui , Li Bing , Wang Jiangyong , Junaid Muhammad , Wang Jun
Published: November 2021

Plastic fragments < 5 mm, known as microplastics (MPs), are ubiquitously present in the marine environment. Research on MPs pollution has gradually shifted from field investigations to laboratory studies. With the rapid growth of plastic consumption and the prevalence of aquaculture products, studies on marine MPs have focused on key marine species, such as mollusks. This review summarizes the recent knowledge including 77 important relevant literatures (from 2010 to 2021) on MPs contamination in mollusks with the objectives of (1) elucidating the current status of MPs pollution levels in mollusks, (2) highlighting the main methods and techniques for separation, extraction, and identification of MPs in soft tissues of bivalves and (3) presenting the current research progress and future directions. The review visually presents some of the important results in graphic form, which shows that the most common polymer plastics in bivalves are polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene, and the shapes were mainly fiber and threadiness, mollusks are more likely to feed smaller MPs, most of the MPs in bivalves are less than 500 μm, and the abundance of MPs in seawater and the abundance of MPs in mollusks have a positive relationship, etc. This review will provide a comprehensive reference for studies of microplastics in marine organisms and the ecological pollution, and also has scientific guiding significance in the research method.
Assemblage Structure of Larval Fishes in Epipelagic and Mesopelagic Waters of the Northern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Wang Verena H. , Zapfe Carley R. , Hernandez Frank J.
Published: November 2021

The early life stages of fishes play a critical role in pelagic food webs and oceanic carbon cycling, yet little is known about the taxonomic composition and distribution of larval fishes in the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) below the epipelagic (<200 m). Here, we provide the first large-scale characterization of larval fish assemblages in the GOM across epipelagic, mesopelagic, and bathypelagic regions (0–1,500 m), using samples collected during the Natural Resource Damage Assessment conducted following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (DWHOS). These data contain > 130,000 ichthyoplankton specimens from depth-discrete plankton samples collected across 48 stations in the GOM during six cruises conducted in 2010 and 2011. We examined indices of abundance and diversity, and used a multivariate regression tree approach to model the relationship between larval fish assemblages and environmental conditions. The total abundance of larval fish followed a generally decreasing trend with increasing depth, and family-level richness and diversity were significantly higher in the epipelagic than mesopelagic and bathypelagic regions. Fourteen distinct assemblage groups were identified within the epipelagic, with depth, surface salinity, and season contributing to the major branches separating groups. Within the mesopelagic, seven distinct assemblage groups were identified and were largely explained by variation in depth, season, and surface temperature. Bathypelagic assemblages were poorly described by environmental conditions. The most common epipelagic assemblage groups were widely distributed across the GOM, as were all mesopelagic assemblage groups, suggesting limited horizontal structuring of GOM larval fishes. Of the mesopelagic-associated fish taxa, four dominant families (Myctophidae, Gonostomatidae, Sternoptychidae, Phosichthyidae) comprised the majority of the catch in both the epipelagic (63%) and combined mesopelagic and bathypelagic (97%) regions. Dufrêne-Legendre indicator analysis confirmed that these dominant families were characteristic of epipelagic and mesopelagic assemblages; the larvae of less common mesopelagic-associated families largely identified with epipelagic assemblage groups. A lack of baseline data about the distribution patterns of early life stages of mesopelagic fishes in the GOM was apparent following the DWHOS, and these findings provide a valuable reference point in the face of future ecosystem stressors.
Incidence and Influencing Factors of New Hepatitis B Infections and Spontaneous Clearance: A Large-Scale, Community-Based Study in China
Authors: Hu Haiyang , Shen Yangfan , Hu Ming , Zheng Yang , Xu Kaijin , Li Lanjuan
Published: November 2021

Background: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is widely used in hepatitis B screening, and HBsAg seroclearance indicates hepatitis B eradication. Few studies have explored the incidence of and determinants for spontaneous seroclearance using a long-term follow-up cohort study. Our research aimed to examine the incidence of and influencing factors for hepatitis B virus infection and spontaneous clearance of HBsAg from a large-scale cohort in China.

Methods: A total of 151,926 resident individuals in Tongxiang underwent HBsAg screening at least thrice in a 7-year period. Serum samples collected at baseline and follow-up examinations were tested for HBsAg. Cox proportional hazard models were used to analyze determinants of HBsAg seroclearance and persistent HBsAg presence.

Results: Among the 151,926 participants, new hepatitis B infections occurred in 4,497 participants, yielding an incidence rate of 571.38 per 100,000 person-years. The incidence rate for males was higher than that for females. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, female gender, alcohol drinking history, hepatitis family history and middle-age group were predictors for persistent positive HBsAg status.

Conclusions: The incidence rate of new hepatitis B infections was 571.38 per 100,000 person-years. Male and aged people in this community cohort have a higher infection rate. Alcohol drinking and hepatitis family history were risk factor leading to chronic infection. Female and middle-aged people were prone to persistent positive HBsAg status.
Substance P/ Neurokinin-1 Receptor, Trigeminal Ganglion, Latency, and Coronavirus Infection-Is There Any Link?
Authors: Mehboob Riffat , Kurdi Maher , Bamaga Ahmed , Aldardeir Njoud , Nasief Hisham , Moshref Leena H. , Alsinani Taghreed , Rayes Almotasimbellah O. , Jabbad Reem H.
Published: November 2021

Novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus-2 infection (SARS-CoV-2) is an acute respiratory and infectious disease. This perspective aims to provide a basic understanding of the inflammation caused by SARS-CoV-2 and its relation to the trigeminal ganglion (TG). The virus enters through the mucous membranes of the orofacial region and reaches the TG, where it resides and takes control of its peptides including Substance P (SP). SP is the main neuropeptide, neuromodulator, and neuro-hormone of TG, associated with nociception and inflammation under noxious stimulus. SP release is triggered and, consequently, affects the immune cells and blood vessels to release the mediators for inflammation. Hence, cytokine storm is initiated and causes respiratory distress, bronchoconstriction, and death in complicated cases. Neurokinin-1 Receptor (NK-1R) is the receptor for SP and its antagonists, along with glucocorticoids, may be used to alleviate the symptoms and treat this infection by blocking this nociceptive pathway. SP seems to be the main culprit involved in the triggering of inflammatory pathways in SARS-CoV-2 infection. It may have a direct association with cardio-respiratory rhythm, sleep-wake cycle, nociception, and ventilatory responses and regulates many important physiological and pathological functions. Its over-secretion should be blocked by NK-1R antagonist. However, experimental work leading to clinical trials are mandatory for further confirmation. Here, it is further proposed that there is a possibility of latency in SARS-CoV-2 virus infection if it is acting through TG, which is the main site for other viruses that become latent.
Early Changes of VEGF Levels After Zoledronic Acid in Women With Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: A Potential Role of Vitamin D
Authors: Bellone Federica , Catalano Antonino , Sottile Angelo Ruggero , Gaudio Agostino , Loddo Saverio , Corica Francesco , Morabito Nunziata
Published: November 2021

Zoledronic acid (Zol) is a widely used intravenous aminobisphosphonate to treat both benign and malignant skeletal diseases, and bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a serious side effect whose pathophysiology remains poorly understood. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) has been recognized to mediate BRONJ in cancer patients undergoing Zol treatment, however data on VEGF are lacking in patients with osteoporosis. Increasing evidences demonstrate that vitamin D influences VEGF levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of Zol on VEGF levels and the possible role for vitamin D on the Zol mediated changes of VEGF concentration in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Twenty-eight postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were enrolled and randomized into two groups to receive Zol (5 mg) or placebo. At baseline, at day-3 and day-30 VEGF serum levels were measured; bone turnover markers, 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and serum calcium were evaluated at baseline. In Zol-treated women, VEGF increased significantly on day-3, and then decreased on day-30. In the Zol-treated women, the percent change of VEGF levels between baseline and day-30 (−18% at day-30 vs. baseline, p = 0.01) was significantly associated with serum 25(OH)D values (r = 0.29, p = 0.028). At a stepwise multiple regression analysis, after correcting for age, BMI, time since menopause, femoral neck BMD, osteocalcin, C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen, and baseline VEGF levels, 25(OH)D levels were independently associated with VEGF change (β = 1.7, SE = 0.71, p = 0.03). For the first time, we detected early modifications of circulating VEGF in postmenopausal women receiving Zol for osteoporosis, identifying a vitamin D-dependent modulation of these changes.
Case Report: Neutralization of Autoantibodies Targeting G-Protein-Coupled Receptors Improves Capillary Impairment and Fatigue Symptoms After COVID-19 Infection
Authors: Hohberger Bettina , Harrer Thomas , Mardin Christian , Kruse Friedrich , Hoffmanns Jakob , Rogge Lennart , Heltmann Felix , Moritz Michael , Szewczykowski Charlotte , Schottenhamml Julia , Kräter Martin , Bergua Antonio , Zenkel Matthias , Gießl Andreas , Schlötzer-Schrehardt Ursula , Lämmer Robert , Herrmann Martin , Haberland Annekathrin , Göttel Peter , Müller Johannes , Wallukat Gerd
Published: November 2021

Clinical features of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Acute infection management is a substantial healthcare issue, and the development of long-Covid syndrome (LCS) is extremely challenging for patients and physicians. It is associated with a variety of characteristics as impaired capillary microcirculation, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), proinflammatory cytokines, and functional autoantibodies targeting G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR-AAbs). Here, we present a case report of successful healing of LCS with BC 007 (Berlin Cures, Berlin, Germany), a DNA aptamer drug with a high affinity to GPCR-AAbs that neutralizes these AAbs. A patient with a documented history of glaucoma, recovered from mild COVID-19, but still suffered from CFS, loss of taste, and impaired capillary microcirculation in the macula and peripapillary region. He was positively tested for various targeting GPCR-AAbs. Within 48 h after a single BC 007 treatment, GPCR-AAbs were functionally inactivated and remained inactive during the observation period of 4 weeks. This observation was accompanied by constant improvement of the fatigue symptoms of the patient, taste, and retinal capillary microcirculation. Therefore, the removal of GPCR-AAb might ameliorate the characteristics of the LCD, such as capillary impairment, loss of taste, and CFS.
The Association of Oxygenation, Carbon Dioxide Removal, and Mechanical Ventilation Practices on Survival During Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Justus Angelo , Burrell Aidan , Anstey Chris , Cornmell George , Brodie Daniel , Shekar Kiran
Published: November 2021

Introduction:Oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal during venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) depend on a complex interplay of ECMO blood and gas flows, native lung and cardiac function as well as the mechanical ventilation strategy applied.

Objective:To determine the association of oxygenation, carbon dioxide removal, and mechanical ventilation practices with in-hospital mortality in patients who received VA ECMO.

Methods:Single center, retrospective cohort study. All consecutive patients who received VA ECMO in a tertiary ECMO referral center over a 5-year period were included. Data on demographics, ECMO and ventilator support details, and blood gas parameters for the duration of ECMO were collected. A multivariable logistic time-series regression model with in-hospital mortality as the primary outcome variable was used to analyse the data with significant factors at the univariate level entered into the multivariable regression model.

Results:Overall, 52 patients underwent VA ECMO: 26/52 (50%) survived to hospital discharge. The median PaO2for the duration of ECMO support was 146 mmHg [IQR 131–188] and PaCO2was 37.2 mmHg [IQR 35.3, 39.9]. Patients who survived to hospital discharge had a significantly lower median PaO2(117 [98, 140] vs. 154 [105, 212] mmHg,P= 0.04) and higher median PaCO2(38.3 [36.1, 41.1] vs. 36.3 [34.5, 37.8] mmHg,p= 0.03). Survivors also had significantly lower median VA ECMO blood flow rate (EBFR, 3.6 [3.3, 4.2] vs. 4.3 [3.8, 5.2] L/min,p= < 0.001) and greater measured minute ventilation (7.04 [5.63, 8.35] vs. 5.32 [4.43, 6.83] L/min,p= 0.01). EBFR, PaO2, PaCO2, and minute ventilation, however, were not independently associated with death in a multivariable analysis.

Conclusion:This exploratory analysis in a small group of VA ECMO supported patients demonstrated that hyperoxemia was common during VA ECMO but was not independently associated with increased mortality. Survivors also received lower EBFR and had greater minute ventilation, but this was also not independently associated with survival. These findings highlight that interactions between EBFR, PaO2, and native lung ventilation may be more relevant than their individual association with survival. Further research is indicated to determine the optimal ECMO and ventilator settings on outcomes in VA ECMO.
The Dynamics of Mycoplasma gallisepticum Nucleoid Structure at the Exponential and Stationary Growth Phases
Authors: Fisunov Gleb Y. , Zubov Alexander I. , Pobeguts Olga V. , Varizhuk Anna M. , Galyamina Mariya A. , Evsyutina Daria V. , Semashko Tatiana A. , Manuvera Valentin A. , Kovalchuk Sergey I. , Ziganshin Rustam K. , Barinov Nicolay A. , Klinov Dmitry V. , Govorun Vadim M.
Published: November 2021

The structure and dynamics of bacterial nucleoids play important roles in regulating gene expression. Bacteria of class Mollicutes and, in particular, mycoplasmas feature extremely reduced genomes. They lack multiple structural proteins of the nucleoid, as well as regulators of gene expression. We studied the organization of Mycoplasma gallisepticum nucleoids in the stationary and exponential growth phases at the structural and protein levels. The growth phase transition results in the structural reorganization of M. gallisepticum nucleoid. In particular, it undergoes condensation and changes in the protein content. The observed changes corroborate with the previously identified global rearrangement of the transcriptional landscape in this bacterium during the growth phase transition. In addition, we identified that the glycolytic enzyme enolase functions as a nucleoid structural protein in this bacterium. It is capable of non-specific DNA binding and can form fibril-like complexes with DNA.
Real-Time Messenger RNA Dynamics in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Sattler Laura , Graumann Peter L.
Published: November 2021

Messenger RNA molecules have been localized to different positions in cells and have been followed by time-lapse microscopy. We have used MS2-mVenus–labeled mRNA and single-particle tracking to obtain information on the dynamics of single-mRNA molecules in real time. Using single-molecule tracking, we show that several mRNA molecules visualized via two MS2-binding sites and MS2-mVenus expressed inBacillus subtiliscells show free diffusion through the entire cell and constrained motion predominantly close to the cell membrane and at the polar regions of the cells. Because constrained motion of mRNAs likely reflects molecules complexed with ribosomes, our data support the idea that translation occurs at sites surrounding the nucleoids. Squared displacement analyses show the existence of at least two distinct populations of molecules with different diffusion constants or possibly of three populations, for example, freely mobile mRNAs, mRNAs in transition complexes, or in complex with polysomes. Diffusion constants between differently sized mRNAs did not differ dramatically and were much lower than that of cytosolic proteins. These data agree with the large size of mRNA molecules and suggest that, within the viscous cytoplasm, size variations do not translate into mobility differences. However, at observed diffusion constants, mRNA molecules would be able to reach all positions within cells in a frame of seconds. We did not observe strong differences in the location of confined motion for mRNAs encoding mostly soluble or membrane proteins, indicating that there is no strong bias for localization of membrane protein-encoding transcripts for the cell membrane.
Pathological Gait Signatures of Post-stroke Dementia With Toe-Off and Heel-to-Ground Angles Discriminate From Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Ni Linhui , Lv Wen , Sun Di , Sun Yi , Sun Yu , Xu Xinxin , Chang Mengyue , Han Xing , Tao Shuai , Hu Xingyue , Cai Huaying
Published: November 2021

Given the limited power of neuropsychological tests, there is a need for a simple, reliable means, such as gait, to identify mild dementia and its subtypes. However, gait characteristics of patients with post-stroke dementia (PSD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are unclear. We sought to describe their gait signatures and to explore gait parameters distinguishing PSD from post-stroke non-dementia (PSND) and patients with AD. We divided 3-month post-stroke patients into PSND and PSD groups based on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and the activity of daily living (ADL). Thirty-one patients with AD and thirty-two healthy controls (HCs) were also recruited. Ten gait parameters in one single and two dual-task gait tests (counting-backward or naming-animals while walking) were compared among the groups, with adjustment for baseline demographic covariates and the MMSE score. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to identify parameters discriminating PSD from individuals with PSND and AD. Patients with PSD and patients with AD showed impaired stride length, velocity, stride time, and cadence while patients with PSD had altered stance and swing phase proportions (all p ≤ 0.01, post hoc). Patients with AD had smaller toe-off (ToA) and heel-to-ground angles (HtA) (p ≤ 0.01) than HCs in dual-task gait tests. Individuals with PSD had a shorter stride length, slower velocity, and altered stance and swing phase percentages in all tests (p ≤ 0.01), but a higher coefficient of variation of stride length (CoVSL) and time (CoVST) only in the naming animals-task gait test (p ≤ 0.001) than individuals with PSND. ToA and HtA in the naming animals-task gait test were smaller in individuals with AD than those with PSD (p ≤ 0.01). Statistical significance persisted after adjusting for demographic covariates, but not for MMSE. The pace and the percentage of stance or swing phase in all tests, CoVST in the dual-task paradigm, and CoVSL only in the naming animals-task gait test (moderate accuracy, AUC > 0.700, p ≤ 0.01) could distinguish PSD from PSND. Furthermore, the ToA and HtA in the naming animals-task gait paradigm discriminated AD from PSD (moderate accuracy, AUC > 0.700, p ≤ 0.01). Thus, specific gait characteristics could allow early identification of PSD and may allow non-invasive discrimination between PSD and AD, or even other subtypes of dementia.
Individual Differences in Working Memory Capacity Modulate Electrophysiological Correlates of Semantic Negative Priming From Single Words
Authors: Megías Montserrat , Ortells Juan J. , Carmona Isabel , Noguera Carmen , Kiefer Markus
Published: November 2021

In the present study, event-related potentials (ERPs) were registered during a semantic negative priming (NP) task in participants with higher and lower working memory capacity (WMC). On each trial participants had to actively ignore a briefly presented single prime word, which was followed either immediately or after a delay by a mask. Thereafter, either a semantically related or an unrelated target word was presented, to which participants made a semantic categorization judgment. The ignored prime produced a behavioral semantic NP in delayed (but not in immediate) masking trials, and only for participants with a higher-WMC. Both masking type and WMC also modulated ERP priming effects. When the ignored prime was immediately followed by a mask (which impeded its conscious identification) a reliable N400 modulation was found irrespective of participants’ WMC. However, when the mask onset following the prime was delayed (thus allowing its conscious identification), an attenuation of a late positive ERP (LPC) was observed in related compared to unrelated trials, but only in the higher-WMC group showing reliable behavioral NP. The present findings demonstrate for the first time that individual differences in WMC modulate both behavioral measures and electrophysiological correlates of semantic NP.