bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxidative stress markers-driven prognostic model to predict post-discharge mortality in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Gtif Imen , Abdelhedi Rania , Ouarda Wael , Bouzid Fériel , Charfeddine Salma , Zouari Fatma , Abid Leila , Rebai Ahmed , Kharrat Najla
Published: November 2022

Background

Current predictive models based on biomarkers reflective of different pathways of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) pathogenesis constitute a useful tool for predicting death risk among HFrEF patients. The purpose of the study was to develop a new predictive model for post-discharge mortality risk among HFrEF patients, based on a combination of clinical patients’ characteristics, N-terminal pro-B-type Natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and oxidative stress markers as a potentially valuable tool for routine clinical practice.

Methods

116 patients with stable HFrEF were recruited in a prospective single-center study. Plasma levels of NT-proBNP and oxidative stress markers [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), uric acid (UA), total bilirubin (TB), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC)] were measured in the stable predischarge condition. Generalized linear model (GLM), random forest and extreme gradient boosting models were developed to predict post-discharge mortality risk using clinical and laboratory data. Through comprehensive evaluation, the most performant model was selected.

Results

During a median follow-up of 525 days (7–930), 33 (28%) patients died. Among the three created models, the GLM presented the best performance for post-discharge death prediction in HFrEF. The predictors included in the GLM model were age, female sex, beta blockers, NT-proBNP, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), TAC levels, admission systolic blood pressure (SBP), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor II blockers (ACEI/ARBs) and UA levels. Our model had a good discriminatory power for post-discharge mortality [The area under the curve (AUC) = 74.5%]. Based on the retained model, an online calculator was developed to allow the identification of patients with heightened post-discharge death risk.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we created a new and simple tool that may allow the identification of patients at heightened post-discharge mortality risk and could assist the treatment decision-making.
Potential metabolomic biomarkers for the identification and diagnosis of type A acute aortic dissection in patients with hypertension
Authors: Hao Xiao-Bin , Han Yue , Ni Er-Ru , Ye Ming-Cai , Li Gang , Wu Xi-Jie , Qiang Hai-Feng , Zhao Jun
Published: November 2022

Objectives

Most patients with acute aortic dissection (AAD) have a history of hypertension. Diagnosis of AAD in patients with hypertension at an early stage is complicated and challenging. This study aimed to explore the distinctive metabolic changes in plasma samples of AAD patients with hypertension and patients with hypertension only and provide early identification and diagnosis of AAD in patients with hypertension.

Materials and methods

We collected blood samples from 20 patients with type A AAD and hypertension admitted to the emergency department and physically examined other 20 patients with hypertension as controls. The plasma metabolomic profiles of these patients were determined using untargeted metabolomics with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Results

A total of 38 metabolites that differed between the AAD and hypertension groups were screened. In the positive ion mode, 12 metabolites were different between the two groups, and in the negative ion mode, 26 metabolites were different. Among the 26 different metabolites detected by the negative ion mode, 21 were significantly upregulated and five were downregulated in patients with AAD compared to patients with hypertension. Moreover, five metabolites were upregulated and seven were significantly downregulated in patients with AAD compared to those with hypertension, as detected by the positive ion mode. The metabolites differentially expressed in AAD were mainly involved in lipid metabolism (fatty acid biosynthesis, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, and linoleic acid metabolism), carbohydrate metabolism (galactose, fructose, and mannose metabolisms), and membrane transport (ATP-binding cassette transporters). Interestingly, plasma hydrocortisone and dimethylglycine concentrations were significantly increased in patients with type A AAD, with the highest area under the curve value (AUC = 0.9325 or 0.9200, respectively) tested by the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

Conclusion

This study provides possible metabolic markers for the early clinical diagnosis of AAD in patients with hypertension.
Inferior vena cava filters in pregnancy: Safe or sorry?
Authors: Bistervels Ingrid M. , Buchmüller Andrea , Tardy Bernard
Published: November 2022

Background

Potential hazards of vena cava filters include migration, tilt, perforation, fracture, and in-filter thrombosis. Due to physiological changes during pregnancy, the incidence of these complications might be different in pregnant women.

Aim

To evaluate the use and safety of inferior vena cava filters in both women who had an inferior vena cava filter inserted during pregnancy, and in women who became pregnant with an inferior vena cava filterin situ.

Methods

We performed two searches in the literature using the keywords “vena cava filter”, “pregnancy” and “obstetrics”.

Results

The literature search on women who had a filter inserted during pregnancy yielded 11 articles compiling data on 199 women. At least one filter complication was reported in 33/177 (19%) women and included in-filter thrombosis (n= 14), tilt (n= 6), migration (n= 5), perforation (n= 2), fracture (n= 3), misplacement (n= 1), air embolism (n= 1) and allergic reaction (n= 1). Two (1%) filter complications led to maternal deaths, of which at least one was directly associated with a filter insertion. Filter retrieval failed in 9/149 (6%) women. The search on women who became pregnant with a filterin situresulted in data on 21 pregnancies in 14 women, of which one (6%) was complicated by uterine trauma, intraperitoneal hemorrhage and fetal death caused by perforation of the inferior vena cava filter.

Conclusion

The risks of filter complications in pregnancy are comparable to the nonpregnant population, but could lead to fetal or maternal death. Therefore, only in limited situations such as extensive thrombosis with a contraindication for anticoagulants, inferior vena filters should be considered in pregnant women.
Case report: Heart failure secondary to myocardial infarction in a fertile woman with woven coronary artery
Authors: Hu Jiayi , Wang Qian , Dong Mei , Lu Huixia
Published: November 2022

A 42-year-old female was hospitalized with 2-day history of fever, dyspnea, and chest tightness. Four years ago, she had similar symptoms at the eighth week of gestation. Computed tomography coronary angiography only suggested moderate stenosis, but cardiac MRI indicated myocardial infarction. The coronary angiography demonstrated a woven coronary artery. She underwent successful coronary artery bypass grafting surgery and took medication regularly. Finally, the prognosis was favorable. Cardiovascular events seldom happen in fertile women because of the protection of estrogen, but once it occurs, the potential cause, such as coronary anomaly and other risk factors, should not be overlooked.
Case report: Right coronary artery rupture—A rare complication of cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Authors: Ai Chenchen , Lv Xiaobo , Qi Xuehong , Tang Hanbo
Published: November 2022

An 8-month-old female experienced a life-threatening right coronary artery rupture resulting from cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) 1 week after corrective surgery for Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Emergency exploratory thoracotomy was performed due to uncorrectable hemorrhagic shock. During exploration, active bleeding was detected in the anterior branch of the right ventricular coronary artery. After the repair, the patient's condition improved. Coronary artery rupture is an extremely rare complication of CPR. Here, we present a case that provides new reflections and warnings to clinicians.
Role and molecular mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in preventing cardiotoxicity associated with chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Lv Xin-Fang , Wen Ruo-Qing , Liu Kai , Zhao Xin-Ke , Pan Chen-Liang , Gao Xiang , Wu Xue , Zhi Xiao-Dong , Ren Chun-Zhen , Chen Qi-Lin , Lu Wei-Jie , Bai Ting-Yan , Li Ying-Dong
Published: November 2022

Cardiotoxicity is a serious complication of cancer therapy. It is the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer survivors and is associated with a variety of factors, including oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and abnormal myocardial energy metabolism. A number of studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can mitigate chemoradiotherapy-associated cardiotoxicity via these pathways. Therefore, this study reviews the effects and molecular mechanisms of TCM on chemoradiotherapy-related cardiotoxicity. In this study, we searched PubMed for basic studies on the anti-cardiotoxicity of TCM in the past 5 years and summarized their results. Angelica Sinensis, Astragalus membranaceus Bunge, Danshinone IIA sulfonate sodium (STS), Astragaloside (AS), Resveratrol, Ginsenoside, Quercetin, Danggui Buxue Decoction (DBD), Shengxian decoction (SXT), Compound Danshen Dripping Pill (CDDP), Qishen Huanwu Capsule (QSHWC), Angelica Sinensis and Astragalus membranaceus Bunge Ultrafiltration Extract (AS-AM),Shenmai injection (SMI), Xinmailong (XML), and nearly 60 other herbs, herbal monomers, herbal soups and herbal compound preparations were found to be effective as complementary or alternative treatments. These preparations reduced chemoradiotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity through various pathways such as anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammation, alleviating endoplasmic reticulum stress, regulation of apoptosis and autophagy, and improvement of myocardial energy metabolism. However, few clinical trials have been conducted on these therapies, and these trials can provide stronger evidence-based support for TCM.
U-Th dating, taphonomy, and taxonomy of shell middens at Klasies River main site indicate stable and systematic coastal exploitation by MIS 5c-d
Authors: Wurz Sarah , Pickering Robyn , Mentzer Susan M.
Published: November 2022

The archaeological record, particularly of shellfish, from the Klasies River main site (KRM) is important in understanding the fluctuating nature of coastal occupational patterns and changing coastal ecologies. In this paper, we provide new uranium–thorium (U-Th) dates for one of the earlier phases of coastal exploitation at KRM, and the microstratigraphic analyses generate novel information about the taphonomy of shell-bearing deposits from the Later Stone Age (LSA) to the MSA I period that, in turn, provide a broader context for middening at the site. A wide range of syndepositional taphonomic processes related to human activities and post-depositional effects include burning, fragmentation and compaction, chemical alteration, and cementation. Despite such issues influencing recovery, shellfish data are informative and are presented from three layers of the Witness Baulk: Shell Midden One (SMONE), Black Occupational Soils (BOS), and Silty Black Soils (SBLS). These coarse shell midden deposits exhibit visible decalcification coupled with cementation with secondary carbonate formation in association with conditions of high moisture and soft sedimentation deformation of the underlying sediments of SBLS. This stratigraphy section is chronologically anchored for the first time using U-Th dating of speleothems associated with a hiatus after the deposition of BOS. The three ages, 110,060 ± 1,100, 109,800 ± 970, and 106,000 ± 2,100 years, place the BOS layer as the base of the SASL sub-member at over 110 ka, making the underlying middens from the LBS member even older. The zooarchaeological analyses of the three layers indicate coastal ecological changes from more sheltered conditions prior to the hiatus, with the exploitation of alikreukel and brown mussels predominating. Before 110 ka, in BOS and SBLS, more exposed coastal conditions occurred, and the diversity of exploited shellfish increased. SMONE and BOS are associated with MSA II/Mossel Bay lower lithic technology and SBLS with MSA I technology, indicating asynchronous coastal ecological and technological changes. The MIS 5c-d evidence for early coastal occupation at KRM provides details on the period during which coastal occupation became stable and systematic on the South African coast and puts the KRM amongst the handful of sites with shell-bearing deposits, occurring prior to 110 ka in South Africa.
Numerical assessment of riverbank filtration using gravel back filter to improve water quality in arid regions
Authors: Abd-Elaty Ismail , Saleh Osama K. , Ghanayem Hala M. , Zeleňáková Martina , Kuriqi Alban
Published: November 2022

The main challenge of water resource management in high-stress regions, especially in developing countries, is in adopting non-traditional methods to obtain safe drinking water in desired quantities. In Egypt, the riverbank filtration (RBF) system is one of the most common solutions to solve rivers’ water quality issues. Several sites have been investigated, and the system has demonstrated tremendous potential. The drinking water plant in Embaba, Giza, Egypt, is considered in this study to improve the quality of the abstracted water through the vertical well system. The numerical code of MODFLOW and MT3D is used to simulate the impact of using the emplacement of the gravel-pack filter (GPF). Three different scenarios were investigated: the first consists of vertical GPF; the second is horizontal GPF for different geometries, depths, widths or thicknesses, lengths, and permeability of the filter material; and, the third is drilling a pipe filter through the riverbed for different pipe numbers, depths, and the material’s hydraulic conductivity. The results revealed that the riverbank filtration sharing (RBFS) rate was increased by increasing the filter width or thickness at the riverside, the filter pipe numbers, the length of the horizontal filter, and the permeability of filter material. At the same time, the thickness of the river bed decreased by increasing the filter width at the groundwater side. Also, the RBFS was increased by increasing the filter width or the thickness in the two directions and the pipe length. However, it returned to decrease again due to groundwater sharing. Thus, the RBF design should carefully consider the gravel-pack, pipe filter geometry, and permeability impact rate of RBFS.
School attendance and school absenteeism: A primer for the past, present, and theory of change for the future
Authors: Kearney Christopher A. , Benoit Laelia , Gonzálvez Carolina , Keppens Gil
Published: November 2022

School attendance and school absenteeism have been studied for over a century, leading to a rich and vast literature base. At the same time, powerful demographic, climate, social justice/equity, and technological/globalization forces are compelling disparate stakeholders worldwide to quickly adapt to rapidly changing conditions and to consider new visions of child education for the next century. These overarching forces are utilized within a theory of change approach to help develop such a vision of school attendance/absenteeism for this era. This approach adopts key long-range outcomes (readiness for adulthood for all students; synthesized systemic and analytic approaches to school attendance/absenteeism) derived from thematic outputs (reframing, social justice, and shared alliances) that are themselves derived from contemporary inputs (movement of educational agencies worldwide toward readiness for adulthood, technological advances, schools, and communities as one). As with theory of change approaches, the purpose of this discourse is not to provide a roadmap but rather a compass to develop multi-stakeholder partnerships that can leverage shared resources and expertise to achieve a final mutual goal.
Validation of newly developed tasks for the assessment of generic Critical Online Reasoning (COR) of university students and graduates
Authors: Nagel Marie-Theres , Zlatkin-Troitschanskaia Olga , Fischer Jennifer
Published: November 2022

In recent decades, the acquisition of information has evolved substantially and fundamentally affects students’ use of information, so that the Internet has become one of the most important sources of information for learning. However, learning with freely accessible online resources also poses challenges, such as vast amounts of partially unstructured, untrustworthy, or biased information. To successfully learn by using the Internet, students therefore require specific skills for selecting, processing, and evaluating the online information, e.g., to distinguish trustworthy from distorted or biased information and for judging its relevance with regard to the topic and task at hand. Despite the central importance of these skills, their assessment in higher education is still an emerging field. In this paper, we present the newly defined theoretical-conceptual framework Critical Online Reasoning (COR). Based on this framework, a corresponding performance assessment, Critical Online Reasoning Assessment (CORA), was newly developed and underwent first steps of validation in accordance with the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing. We first provide an overview of the previous validation results and then expand them by including further analyses of the validity aspects “internal test structure” and “relations with other variables”. To investigate the internal test structure, we conducted variance component analyses based on the generalizability theory with a sample of 125 students and investigated the relations with other variables by means of correlation analyses. The results show correlations with external criteria as expected and confirm that the CORA scores reflect the different test performances of the participants and are not significantly biased by modalities of the assessment. With these new analyses, this study substantially contributes to previous research by providing comprehensive evidence for the validity of this new performance assessment that validly assesses the complex multifaceted construct of critical online reasoning among university students and graduates. CORA results provide unique insights into the interplay between features of online information acquisition and processing, learning environments, and the cognitive and metacognitive requirements for critically reasoning from online information in university students and young professionals.
Developing effective student learning environment: Case study from Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Authors: Solovieva Nadia , Dani Anita , Kane Patrick , Thomson Sophy , Hamam Doaa , Solaimani Fares Keramatulah
Published: November 2022

The impact of COVID-19 on college education has been profound. At the same time, it has also provided an opportunity to test the effectiveness of new teaching approaches in challenging circumstances when the new delivery modes were introduced. In this case study, we have taken the project-based learning approach a little further by directly involving students as co-researchers in the ongoing research project in a higher education institution in Sharjah. This campus-based research project aimed at finding effective solutions to reduce plastic waste at the Sharjah campus. We enabled several groups of students to participate in the primary data collection for our project by aligning their course work projects with the aims of our own research. Hence, the students were directly involved in the ongoing community project, which raised their awareness about important sustainability issues. In addition, the students acquired essential research skills and were able to apply their knowledge to practical issue. This approach was effective: the difference between the final grades of students in the project and non-project groups was statistically significant in 2020 and in 2021. In 2020, the students in the project group scored 5.16% higher than the students in the non-project group. (95% confidence interval is [−0.9044, 11.2244], p = 0.047). In 2021, this difference was 6.5% (95% confidence interval is [2.1176, 10.9026], p = 0.002).
The effect of different administrations of testosterone therapy on adverse prostate events: A Bayesian network meta-analysis
Authors: Zeng Bin , Qiu Shi , Xiong Xingyu , Su Xingyang , Zhang Zilong , Wei Qiang , Yang Lu
Published: November 2022

Background

Hypogonadism has become a major cause endangering men’s health and quality of life all over the world. Testosterone Therapy (TT) is a widely accepted treatment for relieving hypogonadal symptoms. However, the effect of different administrations of TT on prostate safety is still unclear.

Methods

We did a thorough search of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library to identify eligible studies up to January 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and Cohort studies evaluating the impacts of using different formulations of TT on prostate parameters were included. Changes of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and prostate cancer (Pca) cases were used as the primary outcomes. Quality of individual studies was estimated by RoB2 (Cochrane tool for assessing the risk of bias in randomized trials) and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (Tool for assessing non-RCTs). Certainty of evidence for each study was evaluated according to the evidence assessment criteria of the Oxford Evidence-based Medicine Center. Random-effect network meta-analysis(NMA)was performed based on the Bayesian model.

Results

Thirty-five studies (30 RCTs and 5 Cohort studies) with 7,740 participants were included. TT administration led to fewer Pca patients (RR=0.62, 95%CI [0.39,0.99], I2=0%), while little decreasing in PSA level (MD=-0.05, 95%CI [-0.08, -0.02], I2=0%). The NMA revealed that compared with other formulations, the intramuscular injection was the most likely to rank first in decreasing Pca cases. The TT also resulted in more biopsy cases (RR=2.38, 95%CI [1.01,5.60], I2=0%). As for NMA, intramuscular injection also performed relatively better in fewer prostate biopsy cases compared with transdermal group.

Conclusion

TT does not lead to abnormal PSA changes and increased risk of Pca in patients with hypogonadism or low testosterone level. Compared with other preparations of TT, intramuscular injection proved better in minimizing Pca cases and was more likely to result in fewer prostate biopsy cases.
Insulin resistance in school-aged girls with overweight and obesity is strongly associated with elevated white blood cell count and absolute neutrophil count
Authors: He Hong-Mei , Zhang Lu , Qiu Na , Zhou Ze-Tao , Zhang Ka , Li Yan , Chen Hao-Bo , Xu Jia-Ning
Published: November 2022

Background

The primary objective of the study was to discuss the sex differences in insulin resistance-induced changes in metabolic and inflammatory markers in school-aged children with overweight and obesity.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of 800 children aged seven and twelve years was performed. Questionnaires, anthropometric data and fasting blood samples were collected.

Results

Children with overweight and obesity showed statistically significant differences in multiple metabolic and inflammatory markers compared with children with normal BMI. The correlation coefficient (r) between white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count, fasting plasma insulin, HOMA-IR, HOMA-β, triglyceride, HDL-C, triglyceride/HDL ratio, alanine transaminase, serum uric acid, systolic blood pressure and BMI were higher in all children, but the linear relationships between white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count and BMI were stronger in girls with overweight and obesity than in boys with overweight and obesity. Subsequently, HOMA-IR was shown to be more strongly associated with increased white blood cell count and absolute neutrophil count in school-aged girls with overweight and obesity by partial correlation analysis and the multiple linear regression analysis.

Conclusions

Elevated white blood cell count and absolute neutrophil count in children with overweight and obesity, especially girls, can serve as markers of insulin resistance.
Mitochondrial genomic integrity and the nuclear epigenome in health and disease
Authors: Morin Amanda L. , Win Phyo W. , Lin Angela Z. , Castellani Christina A.
Published: November 2022

Bidirectional crosstalk between the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes is essential for proper cell functioning. Mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN) and heteroplasmy influence mitochondrial function, which can influence the nuclear genome and contribute to health and disease.

Evidence shows that mtDNA-CN and heteroplasmic variation are associated with aging, complex disease, and all-cause mortality. Further, the nuclear epigenome may mediate the effects of mtDNA variation on disease. In this way, mitochondria act as an environmental biosensor translating vital information about the state of the cell to the nuclear genome.

Cellular communication between mtDNA variation and the nuclear epigenome can be achieved by modification of metabolites and intermediates of the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. These essential molecules (e.g. ATP, acetyl-CoA, ɑ-ketoglutarate and S-adenosylmethionine) act as substrates and cofactors for enzymes involved in epigenetic modifications.

The role of mitochondria as an environmental biosensor is emerging as a critical modifier of disease states. Uncovering the mechanisms of these dynamics in disease processes is expected to lead to earlier and improved treatment for a variety of diseases. However, the influence of mtDNA-CN and heteroplasmy variation on mitochondrially-derived epigenome-modifying metabolites and intermediates is poorly understood. This perspective will focus on the relationship between mtDNA-CN, heteroplasmy, and epigenome modifying cofactors and substrates, and the influence of their dynamics on the nuclear epigenome in health and disease.
Phytoextraction of lead (Pb) contaminated soil by switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L): Impact of BAP and NTA applications
Authors: Hart Genna , Gilly Austin , Koether Marina , McElroy Thomas , Greipsson Sigurdur
Published: November 2022

The accumulation of Pb deposits in soil is a growing global concern. Soil remediation options include phytoextraction that involves the use of plants and associated soil microorganism. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), a second-generation bioenergy crop was used in this study due to its ability to produce high biomass and grow in metal polluted soils. Plants were grown in Pb-contaminated soil (5,802.5 mg kg−1) in an environmentally controlled greenhouse. Plants were treated with exogenous application of the plant growth regulator (PGR) benzylaminopurine (BAP) or complete foliar nutrient solution (Triple-12®) twice a week until harvested. Plants also received the soil fungicide propiconazole (Infuse™) that was followed by the soil chelate nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA). Two concentrations of NTA were compared (5 mM and 10 mM) and combined application of NTA (10 mM) + APG (alkyl polyglucoside). Soil fungicide (propiconazole) was used to arrest arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) activities in the roots of switchgrass in order to enhance Pb-phytoextraction. Lead (Pb) was measured in dry plant materials using an ICP-OES. Phytoextraction by switchgrass was significantly improved by dual soil applications of 10 mM NTA, APG and foliar applications of BAP which resulted in the greatestaverage Pb concentration of 5,942 mg kg−1. The average dry mass of plants and the average value for total phytoextracted Pb (mg) per pot were significantly greatestfor plants treated with 10 mM NTA, APG and BAP. Also, plants treated with NTA and BAP showed average bioconcentration factor of 1.02. The results suggested that chemically enhanced phytoextraction significantly improved biomass production of switchgrass and at the same time increased phytoextracted Pb which is important for phytoremediation and bioenergy industry.
Effects of litter chemical traits and species richness on soil carbon cycling changed over time
Authors: Yang Hongling , Li Yulin , Zhan Jin , Bao Chelmeg , Luo Yongqing
Published: November 2022

Litter decomposition is the main driver of nutrient cycling process in terrestrial ecosystems. Afforestation completely altered vegetation composition and litter species, disrupting the long-term carbon balance in grassland ecosystem. However, there is a lack of understanding of how litter mixing effect (LME) affects soil carbon cycling in afforested ecosystem. Here, we investigated the effects of litter richness and quality of tree, shrub, and grass species and their litter mixture on soil CO2 fluxes. The results showed that cumulative soil CO2 flux in the early stage (1–28 days) was 1.75 times higher than that in the late stage (29–113 days), indicating litter decomposition was intensive at first and then decreased with time. Soil carbon flux changed with decomposition stages. In the early-stage of decomposition, soil CO2 flux increased with the concentrations of litter carbon, nitrogen and condense tannin. In the late phase of decomposition, all litter chemical traits were negatively related to the soil carbon flux. Additionally, plant litter richness was negatively correlated to early-stage soil CO2 flux, whereas it was positively related to late-stage soil carbon flux. Our results provide evidence that long-term carbon balance in grassland ecosystems was interrupted by afforestation, and the dominant litter chemical traits that controlling soil carbon cycling changed over time.
Extraction of rocky desertification information in karst area by using different multispectral sensor data and multiple endmember spectral mixture analysis method
Authors: Li Yifu , Sun Bin , Gao Zhihai , Su Wensen , Wang Bengyu , Yan Ziyu , Gao Ting
Published: November 2022

As a typical form of land degradation, karst rocky desertification seriously restricts the development of the regional social economy and seriously threatens the living environment of residents. Fractional vegetation cover (fVC) and bare rock fraction (fBR) are important indicators to identify and evaluate rocky desertification. However, it is a great challenge to obtain fVC and fBR due to the complex terrain and fragmentation of karst rocky desertification areas. In this study, comparisons between Sentinel-2A Multispectral Instrument (Sentinel-2), Landsat-8 Operational Land Imager (Landsat-8), and GF-6 Wide Field View (GF-6) sensors for retrieving fVC and fBR are presented. The multiple endmember spectral mixture analysis (MESMA) and measured spectral dates were used to overcome the limitations of Spectral mixture analysis (SMA). Subsequently, fVC and fBR were validated using root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and coefficient of determination (R2). The results showed that: 1) Sentinel-2 performed best in estimating fVC and obtained the highest accuracy (R2 = 0.6259, root mean square error = 0.1568, mean absolute error = 0.1215), followed by GF-6 and Landsat 8; in the extraction of the fBR, the performance was relatively the same, and the implementation of Sentinel-2 was also the best (R2 = 0.4911, root mean square error = 0.0714, mean absolute error = 0.0539), followed by GF-6 and Landsat 8. 2) Sentinel-2 images have higher resolution, the narrowest band range, and the most significant number of bands, which can better extract information about fVC and fBR in rocky desertification areas. 3) For the three optical sensors, the spatial resolution of the images is more important to extract the information of fVC and fBR in the rocky desertification areas. 4) In general, the extraction accuracy of fBR is not as good as that of fVC. The complicated ecological and geological environment of decertified areas has more influence on the effect of extraction of the fBR. 5) The Sentinel-2 achieves high accuracy for both fVC and fBR under different-level application scenarios. It thus has great potential for application in rocky desertification information extraction.
Identification of biomarkers in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A machine learning method and experimental study
Authors: Han Na , He Juan , Shi Lixin , Zhang Miao , Zheng Jing , Fan Yuanshuo
Published: November 2022

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common chronic liver disease. However, the early diagnosis of NAFLD is challenging. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify diagnostic biomarkers of NAFLD using machine learning algorithms. Differentially expressed genes between NAFLD and normal samples were identified separately from the GEO database. The key DEGs were selected through a protein‒protein interaction network, and their biological functions were analysed. Next, three machine learning algorithms were selected to construct models of NAFLD separately, and the model with the smallest sample residual was determined to be the best model. Then, logistic regression analysis was used to judge the accuracy of the five genes in predicting the risk of NAFLD. A single-sample gene set enrichment analysis algorithm was used to evaluate the immune cell infiltration of NAFLD, and the correlation between diagnostic biomarkers and immune cell infiltration was analysed. Finally, 10 pairs of peripheral blood samples from NAFLD patients and normal controls were collected for RNA isolation and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for validation. Taken together, CEBPD, H4C11, CEBPB, GATA3, and KLF4 were identified as diagnostic biomarkers of NAFLD by machine learning algorithms and were related to immune cell infiltration in NAFLD. These key genes provide novel insights into the mechanisms and treatment of patients with NAFLD.
TLR3 serves as a novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and is closely correlated with immune microenvironment in three types of cancer
Authors: Zou Xiong , Guo Yi , Mo Zengnan
Published: November 2022

Background: Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) plays an important role in both innate and adaptive immunity, but the prognostic value of TLR3 in heterogeneous tumors and the correlations between TLR3 expression and immune infiltration of heterogeneous tumors remain unclear.

Methods: We investigated the expression of TLR3 in a variety of tumors and focused on the diagnostic and prognostic values of TLR3 in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC), pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) and brain lower grade glioma (LGG) by GEPIA, DriverDBv3, UALCAN, TIMER, LinkedOmics, STRING, GeneMANIA and FunRich, as well as the possible mechanisms of TLR3 affecting tumor prognosis were discussed. Additionally, real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to validate TLR3 expression in early KIRC. We also compared the expression of TLR3 in the plasma of early KIRC patients and normal controls by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: TLR3 expression was significantly different in multiple tumors compared with paracancerous nontumor tissues. Elevated expression of TLR3 contributed to the prolonged survival outcome in KIRC patients. Suppressed expression of TLR3 contributed to the prolonged survival outcome in LGG and PAAD patients. Moreover, TLR3 was significantly elevated in stage1, grade1 and N0 of KIRC. The expression and function of TLR3 in KIRC, LGG and PAAD were closely related to tumor immune microenvironment. TRAF6 was a key gene in the interactions between TLR3 and its interacting genes. Finally, the results of RT-qPCR and ELISA indicated that TLR3 expression levels were significantly raised in renal tissue and plasma of early KIRC patients.

Conclusion: TLR3 has the potential to be a diagnostic biomarker of KIRC, LGG and PAAD as well as a biomarker for evaluating the prognosis of KIRC, LGG and PAAD, particularly for the early diagnosis of KIRC. TLR3 affects tumors mainly by acting on the immune microenvironment of KIRC, LGG and PAAD. These findings could lead to new insights into the immunotherapeutic targets for KIRC, LGG, and PAAD.
Individual and combined effects of the GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 polymorphisms on type 2 diabetes mellitus risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Liang-shu , Wang Di , Tang Ru , Wang Qi , Zheng Lu , Wei Jian , Li Yan , He Xiao-feng
Published: November 2022

Backgrounds: Compared with previously published meta-analyses, this is the first study to investigate the combined effects of glutathione-S-transferase polymorphisms (GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 IIe105Val) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk; moreover, the credibility of statistically significant associations was assessed; furthermore, many new original studies were published.

Objectives: To determine the relationship between GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 polymorphisms with T2DM risk.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Wanfang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure Databases were searched. We quantify the relationship using crude odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals Moreover, the Venice criteria, false-positive report probability (FPRP), and Bayesian false discovery probability (BFDP) were used to validate the significance of the results.

Results: Overall, significantly increased T2DM risk was found between individual and combined effects of GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 polymorphisms on T2DM risk, but, combined effects of the GSTT1 and GSTP1 polymorphisms was not statistically significant. GSTT1 gene polymorphism significantly increases the risk of T2DM complications, while GSTM1 and GSTP1 polymorphisms had no statistical significance. The GSTM1 null genotype was linked to a particularly increased risk of T2DM in Caucasians; the GSTT1 null genotype was connected to a significantly higher risk of T2DM in Asians and Indians; and the GSTP1 IIe105Val polymorphism was related to a substantially increased T2DM risk in Indians. Moreover, the GSTM1 and GSTT1 double null genotype was associated with substantially increased T2DM risk in Caucasians and Indians; the combined effects of GSTM1 and GSTP1 polymorphisms was associated with higher T2DM risk in Caucasians. However, all significant results were false when the Venice criteria, FPRP, and BFDP test were used (any FPRP >0.2 and BFDP value >0.8).

Conclusion: The current analysis strongly suggests that the individual and combined effects of GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 polymorphisms might not be connected with elevated T2DM risk.
Associations of dietary, lifestyle, and other participant characteristics with APC, β-catenin, E-cadherin, and MSH2 expression in the normal mucosa of sporadic colorectal adenoma patients
Authors: Shu Timothy D. , Rutherford Robin E. , Seabrook March E. , Barry Elizabeth L. , Bostick Roberd M.
Published: November 2022

Abnormal expression of Wnt pathway and DNA mismatch repair proteins is common during colorectal carcinogenesis. To investigate cross-sectional associations of lifestyle, dietary, and other participant characteristics with the expression of such proteins, we measured APC, β-catenin, E-cadherin, and MSH2 colorectal crypt expression in biopsies of normal-appearing colorectal mucosa from 104 sporadic colorectal adenoma patients using automated immunohistochemistry and quantitative image analysis. We used multivariable general linear models to compare adjusted mean biomarker expression across categories of participant characteristics. Example findings include that among women relative to men, mean APC expression in whole crypts, the upper 40% of crypts (differentiation zone), and the lower 60% of crypts (proliferation zone) was 322.9% higher (p<0.01), 296.7% higher (p<0.01), and 399.1% higher (p<0.01), respectively. Among participants with higher alcohol consumption, APC expression in the crypt differentiation zone was estimated to be 15.9% lower (p=0.08). Among those with higher total meat consumption, β-catenin expression in whole crypts and the crypt proliferation zone was estimated to be 20.5% higher (p=0.07) and 19.6% higher (p=0.06), respectively, and MSH2 expression in the crypt differentiation zone was estimated to be 64.4% lower (p=0.10). Among those with a higher body mass index, MSH2 expression in the crypt differentiation zone was estimated to be 87.5% lower (p=0.15). These pilot study findings suggest that being male, higher adiposity, and higher alcohol and meat consumption may be unfavorably associated with biomarkers of colorectal carcinogenesis pathway proteins in the normal-appearing colorectal mucosa of sporadic colorectal adenoma patients and support further investigation in larger studies.
Exosomal ncRNAs: The pivotal players in diabetic wound healing
Authors: Shen Jiuheng , Zhao Xian , Zhong Youxiu , Yang Peng , Gao Peifen , Wu Xue , Wang Xudong , An Wenlin
Published: November 2022

Diabetes is the most prevalent metabolic disease in the world today. In addition to elevated blood glucose, it also causes serious complications, which has a significant effect on the quality of life of patients. Diabetic trauma is one of complications as a result of the interaction of diabetic neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, infection, trauma, and other factors. Diabetic trauma usually leads to poor healing of the trauma and even to severe foot ulcers, wound gangrene, and even amputation, causing serious psychological, physical, and financial burdens to diabetic patients. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) carried by exosomes have been demonstrated to be relevant to the development and treatment of diabetes and its complications. Exosomes act as vehicle, which contain nucleic acids such as mRNA and microRNA (miRNA), and play a role in the intercellular communication and the exchange of substances between cells. Because exosomes are derived from cells, there are several advantages over synthetic nanoparticle including good biocompatibility and low immunogenicity. Exosomal ncRNAs could serve as markers for the clinical diagnosis of diabetes and could also be employed to accelerate diabetic wound healing via the regulation of the immune response and modulation of cell function. ncRNAs in exosomes can be employed to promote diabetic wound healing by regulating inflammation and accelerating re-vascularization, re-epithelialization, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Herein, exosomes in terms of ncRNA (miRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA) to accelerate diabetic wounds healing were summarized, and we discussed the challenge of the loading strategy of ncRNA into exosomes.
Identification of prognostic immune-related lncRNAs in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Ma Yan , He Xiaomeng , Di Yang , Liu Shanshan , Zhan Qilin , Bai Zhihui , Qiu Tianyi , Corpe Christopher , Wang Jin
Published: November 2022

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a critical role in the immune regulation and tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer (PaCa). To construct a novel immune-related prognostic risk model for PaCa and evaluate the prognostic prediction of lncRNAs, essential immune-related lncRNAs (IRlncRNAs) were identified by Pearson correlation analysis of differentially expressed immune-related genes (IRGs) and IRlncRNAs in PaCa from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and GTEx databases. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was also applied to construct a prognostic risk model of IRlncRNAs, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was further applied for functional annotation for these IRlncRNAs. A total of 148 IRlncRNAs were identified in PaCa to construct a prognostic risk model. Among them, lncRNA LINC02325, FNDC1-AS1, and ZEB2-AS1 were significantly upregulated in 69 pairs of PaCa tissues by qRT−PCR. ROC analyses showed that LINC02325 (AUC = 0.80), FNDC1-AS1 (AUC = 0.76), and ZEB2-AS1 (AUC = 0.75) had a good predictive effect on 5-year survival prognosis. We demonstrated that high expression levels of ZEB2-AS1 and LINC02325 were not only positively associated with tumor size and CA199, but elevated levels of ZEB2-AS1 and FNDC1-AS1 were also positively correlated with tumor stage. GSEA further revealed that immune-related pathways were mainly enriched in the high-risk groups. Several immune-related algorithms demonstrated that four IRlncRNAs were related to immune infiltration, immune checkpoints, and immune-related functions. Thus, the prognostic risk model based on IRlncRNAs in Paca indicates that the four IRlncRNA signatures may serve as predictors of survival and potential predictive biomarkers of the pancreatic tumor immune response.
Tertiary lymphoid structure patterns aid in identification of tumor microenvironment infiltration and selection of therapeutic agents in bladder cancer
Authors: An Ye , Sun Jian-Xuan , Xu Meng-Yao , Xu Jin-Zhou , Ma Si-Yang , Liu Chen-Qian , Liu Zheng , Wang Shao-Gang , Xia Qi-Dong
Published: November 2022

Background

Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) are emerging as a potential predictor of prognosis and response to immunotherapy in some solid tumors. However, the comprehensive role of TLSs in bladder cancer remains unclear.

Methods

Eighteen bladder cancer (BCa) datasets were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), ArratyExpress and IMvigor210. Based on 39 validated TLS signature genes (TSGs), we evaluated the TLS patterns in all patients, and correlated the TLS patterns with prognosis and tumor microenvironment (TME) cell-infiltrating characteristics. The cox regression model and principal component analysis (PCA) algorithms were used to construct the TLS score, which helps to quantify the TLS pattern in individuals.

Results

The landscape of 39 validated TSGs in BCa was assessed first. Five distinct TLS patterns and four gene clusters were determined. TLS cluster C2 and gene cluster A were thought to be characterized by mature TLSs and showed better prognosis and higher immune cells infiltration than other clusters. The TLS score was discovered to be tightly correlated with the infiltration level of immune cells, and could predict the maturation status of TLSs to some extent. We found TLS score was an excellent predictor for prognosis in patients with BCa independent of tumor mutation burden (TMB), and low TLS score was related to better prognosis than high TLS score. Besides, low TLS score was correlated with a better response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) immunotherapy and commonly used chemotherapy drugs.

Conclusions

Our work demonstrated the characteristics of TLSs in BCa. By using the TLS score, we could evaluate the TLS pattern in individuals. Better understanding of TLS pattern and the usage of TLS score could help instruct clinical strategy and precision medicine for BCa.