bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hipotermia acidental e o jejum prolongado no pré-operatório imediato: análise em um hospital universitário
Authors: Azevedo Ana Paula Silvestre dos Santos , Silva Maria Virginia Godoy da , Batista Deise Breder dos Santos , Almeida Priscila Francisca de , Latorraca Beatriz Cristina Sa , Coutinho Vânia Lima
Published: August 2022

Objetivos: identificar a relação entre a hipotermia não intencional e o jejum prolongado de um grupo de pacientes cirúrgicos no pré-operatório imediato; avaliar o valor médio da temperatura axilar, e, o tempo médio de jejum de pacientes em pré-operatório imediato. Método: estudo transversal de abordagem quantitativa, realizado em unidades de internação de um hospital universitário localizado no município do Rio de Janeiro. Foram utilizados 30 prontuários de pacientes de pré-operatório imediato de cirurgia geral. A coleta de dados foi realizada no mês de setembro, por meio de questionário. Os dados foram organizados em planilhas do programa Excel e analisados através da estatística descritiva simples.  Resultados: a amostra constituiu-se por 11 homens e 19 mulheres, com idade entre 22 e 92 anos. Os procedimentos cirúrgicos prevalentes foram hernioplastia (36,70%) e tireoidectomia (16,66%). Do total de pacientes, 17 (56,67%) foram encaminhados ao centro cirúrgico com temperatura máxima de 36oC. Foi evidenciado concomitância entre hipotermia e tempo de jejum prolongado. O valor médio da temperatura dos pacientes no momento de encaminhamento ao centro cirúrgico foi 35,9°C e o tempo médio de jejum 12,47 horas. Conclusão: os resultados demonstram a necessidade de maior atenção às recomendações nacionais e internacionais sobre o tempo de jejum para o paciente em pré-operatório imediato.
Efeitos da realidade virtual em idosos com Doença de Parkinson: Revisão integrativa da literatura
Authors: Marques Daiane Silva , Nunes Alane Santos , Veras Roseane Oliveira , Martins Tayane Moura , Venancio Dallynne Bárbara Ramos , Santos Saulo Barreto Cunha dos , Cabral Ayara Almeida Souza , Santos Lucyanne Larissa da Silva , Silva Vitória Régia Vieira da , Custódio Daiany de Fátima , Lacerda Kaio Weslley Ramalho , Greco Giovanna dos Santos
Published: August 2022

Objetivo: Identificar os efeitos gerados pela Realidade Virtual (RV) em idosos com Doença de Parkinson (DP). Materiais e métodos: Trata-se de uma pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa de Revisão Integrativa da Literatura (RIL). Com o propósito de desenvolver a questão norteadora desta RIL, aplicaram-se os domínios da estratégia PICo, resultando na questão: “Quais os efeitos da RV em idosos com DP?” Efetuou-se um levantamento bibliográfico em junho de 2022 nas bases de dados: Embase via Cochrane Library, LILACS via BVS e MEDLINE via PubMed. As estratégias de busca foram formuladas a partir dos descritores mencionados em português, inglês e espanhol, interligadas pelo operador booleano “AND”. Resultados: 10 artigos científicos foram selecionados para compor esta RIL. Discussão: Assim, as particularidades da RV a tornam uma alternativa para alcançar uma variedade de objetivos para a reabilitação, na qual, inclui-se o incentivo ao aprendizado dos pacientes, sua participação ativa, proporcionando espaços desafiadores e seguros, flexibilidade na personalização e graduação dos planos de tratamento, registrando a objetividade do desempenho dos mesmos, além da capacidade de motivar o paciente com DP a realizar sua capacidade máxima. Considerações finais: Portanto, as evidências científicas demonstram que a RV é um recurso terapêutico com potencialidades para o uso na reabilitação, especialmente na aprendizagem e controle motor, funcionalidade, marcha, capacidade cognitiva e no equilíbrio em idosos com DP.
Influence of green areas on the microclimate of the contiguous urban perimeter
Authors: Pinheiro Giovana Graminha , Cansi Edison Rogério , Mussury Rosilda Mara , Stein Peolla Paula , Takako Adriana Kazue , Carvalho Emerson Machado de
Published: August 2022

The daily pressures exerted by urban centers, added to the absence of green areas, end up promoting great damage to the quality of life of the resident population. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of a green park in the central area in Dourados, MS, Brazil, on thermal and sound comfort through environmental indicators. The following measurements were taken: air temperature, relative air humidity, light incidence, and noise variation at sampling points in the Arnulpho Fioravante green park and adjacent areas. The thermal discomfort index (TDI), which considers the variables air temperature and relative air humidity, was also adopted. TDI and noise results indicated that the park has little influence on adjacent areas. On the other hand, the park area with the highest plant density showed significant TDI values, classifying it between “feeling comfortable” and “feeling partially uncomfortable.” Areas of the city and the park without vegetation had many “feeling uncomfortable” ratings. Moreover, the vegetation may have acted as a filter to minimize urban noise. Our results indicate that urban green areas are important components in maintaining the population’s quality of life, provided they have good planning and management of available forest resources.
PENGARUH PENGGUNAAN TEPUNG DAUN INDIGOFERA SP DALAM RANSUM TERHADAP KONVERSI DAN EFISIENSI PAKAN BURUNG PUYUH (COTURNIS-COTURNIS JAPONICA)
Authors: Rustam Rasbawati - , Maslan Maslan , Munir Munir
Published: August 2022

Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh penambahan tepung daun indigofera sp dalam ransum terhadap konsumsi pakan dan pertambahan bobot badan burung puyuh (Coturnis-Coturnis Japonica). Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) dengan 4 perlakuan dengan 3 kali ulangan. Setiap ulangan terdiri dari 5 ekor puyuh, perlakuan yang diterapkan yaitu: P0 = Tanpa perlakuan (kontrol). P1 = Perlakuan tepung daun indigofera sp (5%). P2 = Perlakuan tepung daun indigofera sp (10%). P3 = Perlakuan tepung daun indigofera sp (15%). Penelitian ini dilaksanakan pada bulan Juni sampai Juli 2021. Bertempat di Desa Pakeng, Kecamatan Lembang, Kabupaten Pinrang, Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan, penambahan tepung daun indigofera sp dalam ransum berpengaruh sangat nyata (P<0,01) terhadap konversi pakan dan efisiensi pakan burung puyuh. Adapun perlakuan terbaik yaitu P3 (penambahan 15% tepung daun indigofera sp).
Antioxidant vitamin levels do not exhibit negative correlation with the extent of acute myocardial infarction.
Authors: Mužáková V , Vojtíšek P , Meloun M , Vaňková R , Roušar T , Červinková Z
Published: August 2022

Serum levels of vitamin E (VE), β-carotene (BC) and vitamin C (VC) were determined in 50 patients with the first acute myocardial infarction (AMI) before starting thrombolytical treatment. VE and BC were determined by HPLC, VC spectrophotometrically. The reperfused patients were divided according to vitamin concentrations into four groups. The lowest quartile was compared with the rest of the studied population (VE: group with high (H) > 15.6 μM > group with low (L), BC: H > 0.07 μM > L, VC: H > 25 μM > L) in the following parameters: extent of myocardial damage (area under the curves of troponin I, CK-MB during 48 h), arrhythmia and congestive heart failure occurrence, size of ejection fraction, positivity of ventricular late potentials. No significant differences between groups H and L for either VE, BC or VC were found (P±0.05). As no correlation between serum concentrations of vitamins E, C and β-carotene and the extent and clinical course of AMI was found, the actual vitamin concentrations may be important for prevention of ischemic heart a disease, but they do not play a decisive role in the acute phase of myocardial infarction in humans.
Apoptosis as an early event in the development of multiple organ failure?
Authors: Pachl J , Duška F , Waldauf P , Fric M , Fanta J , Zďárský E
Published: August 2022

We have recently developed a simple method of plasma free DNA detection, which enables us to distinguish between apoptotic and genomic (necrotic) DNA. After applying this method to the critically ill, we revealed apoptotic DNA on the day of admission to be higher than later when multiple-organ failure developed. Moreover, apoptotic DNA contributed to total plasma DNA much more than DNA from necrotic cells and its increase predicted future development of multiple-organ failure and death.
A species-specific lncRNA modulates the reproductive ability of the asian tiger mosquito
Authors: Belavilas-Trovas Alexandros , Gregoriou Maria-Eleni , Tastsoglou Spyros , Soukia Olga , Giakountis Antonis , Mathiopoulos Kostas
Published: August 2022

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) research has emerged as an independent scientific field in recent years. Despite their association with critical cellular and metabolic processes in plenty of organisms, lncRNAs are still a largely unexplored area in mosquito research. We propose that they could serve as exceptional tools for pest management due to unique features they possess. These include low inter-species sequence conservation and high tissue specificity. In the present study, we investigated the role of ovary-specific lncRNAs in the reproductive ability of the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus. Through the analysis of transcriptomic data, we identified several lncRNAs that were differentially expressed upon blood feeding; we called these genes Norma (NOn-coding RNA in Mosquito ovAries). We observed that silencing some of these Normas resulted in significant impact on mosquito fecundity and fertility. We further focused on Norma3 whose silencing resulted in 43% oviposition reduction, in smaller ovaries and 53% hatching reduction of the laid eggs, compared to anti-GFP controls. Moreover, a significant downregulation of 2 mucins withing a neighboring (∼100 Kb) mucin cluster was observed in smaller anti-Norma3 ovaries, indicating a potential mechanism of in-cis regulation between Norma3 and the mucins. Our work constitutes the first experimental proof-of-evidence connecting lncRNAs with mosquito reproduction and opens a novel path for pest management.
The value of 18F-NaF PET/CT in the diagnosis of bone metastases in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma using visual and quantitative analyses
Authors: Wang Dong , Li HaiWen , Guo ChengMao , Huang Shisang , Guo XuFeng , Xiao JingXing
Published: August 2022

To assess the diagnostic value of 18F-NaF PET/CT in diagnosing bone metastases in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) using visual and quantitative analyses. 164 patients with NPC who underwent 18F-NaF PET/CT between 2017 and 2021 were included. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated. All bone lesions were divided into metastatic bone lesion group and benign lesion group; the benign lesion group was further subdivided into benign lesion without osteophyte and fracture group (CT images showing no osteophyte, no fracture), and benign lesion with osteophyte and fracture group (CT images showing typical osteophytes and fractures), the differences in maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) were compared between every two groups, and the diagnostic cut-off values were derived from receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC). Quantitative data were expressed as mean ± SD, multiple continuous variables were compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multiple comparisons among more than two groups were made using the Bonferroni method. The sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy of 18F-NaF PET/CT for the diagnosis of bone metastases in NPC were 97.1%, 94.6%, and 95.1% based on the patient level and 99.5%, 91.5%, and 96.4% based on the lesion level, respectively. The SUVmax was significantly different between the metastatic bone lesion group and the benign lesion without osteophyte and fracture group (p < 0.05); the area under the curve was 0.865, the threshold was 12.5, the sensitivity was 0.912, and the specificity was 0.656. Visual analysis of 18F-NaF PET/CT has high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing bone metastases in NPC. After excluding osteophytes and fracture lesions based on CT findings, using SUVmax ≥12.5 as the threshold can be an important reference for the differential diagnosis of bone metastases and benign bone lesions in patients with NPC.
Au modified PrFeO3 with hollow tubular structure can be efficient sensing material for H2S detection
Authors: Zhang Heng , Xiao Jing , Chen Jun , Zhang Lian , Zhang Yi , Jin Pan
Published: August 2022

The H2S concentration in exhaled breath increases marginally with the progress of periodontal disease, and H2S is considered to be one of the most important gases related to meat and seafood decomposition; however, the concentration of H2S is low and difficult to detect in such scenarios. In this study, Au–PrFeO3 nanocrystalline powders with high specific surface areas and porosities were prepared using an electrospinning method. Our experimental results show that loading Au on the material provides an effective way to increase its gas sensitivity. Au doping can decrease the material’s resistance by adjusting its energy band, allowing more oxygen ions to be adsorbed onto the material’s surface due to a spillover effect. Compared with pure PrFeO3, the response of 3 wt% Au–PrFeO3 is improved by more than 10 times, and the response time is more than 10 s shorter. In addition, the concentration of H2S due to the decomposition of shrimp was detected using the designed gas sensor, where the error was less than 15%, compared with that obtained using a GC-MS method. This study fully demonstrates the potential of Au–PrFeO3 for H2S concentration detection.
Application of MXene in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer: A critical overview
Authors: Ranjbari Sara , Darroudi Mahdieh , Hatamluyi Behnaz , Arefinia Reza , Aghaee-Bakhtiari Seyed Hamid , Rezayi Majid , Khazaei Majid
Published: August 2022

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide. Prognosis and timely treatment can reduce the illness or improve it. The use of nanomaterials leads to timely diagnosis and effective treatment. MXenes are a 2D material with a unique composition of attributes, containing significant electrical conductance, high optical characteristics, mechanical consistency, and excellent optical properties. Current advances and insights show that MXene is far more promising in biotechnology applications than current nanobiotechnology systems. MXenes have various applications in biotechnology and biomedicine, such as drug delivery/loading, biosensor, cancer treatment, and bioimaging programs due to their high surface area, excellent biocompatibility, and physicochemical properties. Surface modifications MXenes are not only biocompatible but also have multifunctional properties, such as aiming ligands for preferential agglomeration at the tumor sites for photothermal treatment. Studies have shown that these nanostructures, detection, and breast cancer therapy are more acceptable than present nanosystems in in vivo and in vitro. This review article aims to investigate the structure of MXene, its various synthesis methods, its application to cancer diagnosis, cytotoxicity, biodegradability, and cancer treatment by the photothermal process (in-vivo and in-vitro).
Hyaluronic acid-based nano drug delivery systems for breast cancer treatment: Recent advances
Authors: Jia Yufeng , Chen Siwen , Wang Chenyu , Sun Tao , Yang Liqun
Published: August 2022

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy among females worldwide, and high resistance to drugs and metastasis rates are the leading causes of death in BC patients. Releasing anti-cancer drugs precisely to the tumor site can improve the efficacy and reduce the side effects on the body. Natural polymers are attracting extensive interest as drug carriers in treating breast cancer. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a natural polysaccharide with excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-immunogenicity and is a significant component of the extracellular matrix. The CD44 receptor of HA is overexpressed in breast cancer cells and can be targeted to breast tumors. Therefore, many researchers have developed nano drug delivery systems (NDDS) based on the CD44 receptor tumor-targeting properties of HA. This review examines the application of HA in NDDSs for breast cancer in recent years. Based on the structural composition of NDDSs, they are divided into HA NDDSs, Modified HA NDDSs, and HA hybrid NDDSs.
The regulatory role of exosomes in venous thromboembolism
Authors: Ye Sheng-Lin , Li Wen-Dong , Li Wei-Xiao , Xiao Lun , Ran Feng , Chen Meng-Meng , Li Xiao-Qiang , Sun Li-Li
Published: August 2022

Exosomes are nanoscale endocytic vesicles, 30–150 nm in diameter, secreted by most cells. They mainly originate from multivesicular bodies formed by intracellular invagination of lysosomal microparticles, and released into the extracellular matrix after fusion of multivesicular bodies with cell membrane. Studies have shown that exosomes contain a variety of active molecules, such as proteins, lipids and RNAs (such as mRNA, miRNA, lncRNA, circRNA, etc.), which regulate the behavior of recipient cells and serve as circulating biomarkers of diseases, including thrombosis. Therefore, exosome research is important for the diagnosis, treatment, therapeutic monitoring, and prognosis of thrombosis in that it can reveal the counts, surface marker expression, protein, and miRNA cargo involved. Recent studies have shown that exosomes can be used as therapeutic vectors for tissue regeneration and as alternative vectors for drug delivery. In this review, we summarize the physiological and biochemical characteristics, isolation, and identification of exosomes. Moreover, we focus on the role of exosomes in thrombosis, specifically venous thromboembolism, and their potential clinical applications, including as biomarkers and therapeutic vectors for thrombosis.
A new antioxidant made from a pterostilbene functionalized graphene nanocomposite as an efficient treatment for dry eye disease
Authors: Lin Mimi , Sun Xueqin , Ye Sihao , Chen Youyi , Gao Jing , Yuan Feng , Lin Na , Lawson Tom , Liu Yong , Deng Ruzhi
Published: August 2022

Dry eye disease is a common condition that affects the eyes. It is caused by problems with the tear film and the tear dynamics. Dry eye can be caused by an increase in the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the corneal epithelium. The treatment for dry eye typically focuses on relieving the uncomfortable symptoms by using eye drops such as artificial tears, antibiotics, and by using anti-inflammatory/immunosuppressive agents such as cyclosporine, and lifitegrast. However, the recovery of patients with dry eye can take several years particularly if the symptoms are severe. This is because the present treatment approaches for dry eye are not based on its cause, e.g., the oxidative stress arising from the rapid increase in ROS. This work describes a new type of antioxidant made from pterostilbene (PS) and carboxyl-chitosan modified graphene (CG). The use of a hydrophilic two-dimensional CG nanosheet to improve the properties of PS is reported. Superior enhanced properties including better cellular permeability, long sustained release period (over 30 h), and antioxidant properties, were realized by using PS-CG. A hyperosmotic (HS) damaged human corneal epithelial cell (HCEC) model was used for antioxidant tests. This model has an intracellular ROS level 4 times more than that of a control group. The ROS content was declined efficiently to the same amount as normal cells in the PS-CG treated HS group. There was a significant decline in the content of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and the apoptosis rate of HCEC in the PS-CG treated HS group when compared to that seen in the HS model. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blots (WB) were used to understand the antioxidant mechanism of PS-CG. The results showed that the antioxidant was working by activating the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signalling pathway. In vivo testing testing using a dry eye mouse model suggested that the PS-CG acted as an efficient antioxidant. More tear production and healthier corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells were achieved when PC-CG was applied to this model. The use of PS-CG could be a new strategy for treating dry eye and other ocular diseases caused by ROS.
Dimethyl fumarate eliminates differentially culturable Mycobacterium tuberculosis in an intranasal murine model of tuberculosis
Authors: Glenn Sarah M. , Turapov Obolbek , Makarov Vadim , Kell Douglas B. , Mukamolova Galina V.
Published: August 2022

Tuberculosis (TB) claims nearly 1.5 million lives annually. Current TB treatment requires a combination of several drugs administered for at least 6 months. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of TB, can persist in infected humans and animals for decades. Moreover, during infection, Mtb produces differentially culturable bacteria (DCB) that do not grow in standard media but can be resuscitated in liquid media supplemented with sterile Mtb culture filtrates or recombinant resuscitation-promoting factors (Rpfs). Here, we demonstrate that, in an intranasal murine model of TB, Mtb DCB are detectable in the lungs after 4 weeks of infection, and their loads remain largely unchanged during a further 8 weeks. Treatment of the infected mice with dimethyl fumarate (DMF), a known drug with immunomodulatory properties, for 8 weeks eliminates Mtb DCB from the lungs and spleens. Standard TB treatment consisting of rifampicin, isoniazid, and pyrazinamide for 8 weeks reduces Mtb loads by nearly four orders of magnitude but does not eradicate DCB. Nevertheless, no DCB can be detected in the lungs and spleens after 8 weeks of treatment with DMF, rifampicin, isoniazid, and pyrazinamide. Our data suggest that addition of approved anti-inflammatory drugs to standard treatment regimens may improve TB treatment and reduce treatment duration.
An artificial intelligence-based noninvasive solution to estimate pulmonary artery pressure
Authors: Zheng Jianwei , Abudayyeh Islam , Mladenov Georgi , Struppa Daniele , Fu Guohua , Chu Huimin , Rakovski Cyril
Published: August 2022

Aims

Design to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm to accurately predict the pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) waveform using non-invasive signal inputs.

Methods and results

We randomly sampled training, validation, and testing datasets from a waveform database containing 180 patients with pulmonary atrial catheters (PACs) placed for PAP waves collection. The waveform database consisted of six hemodynamic parameters from bedside monitoring machines, including PAP, artery blood pressure (ABP), central venous pressure (CVP), respiration waveform (RESP), photoplethysmogram (PPG), and electrocardiogram (ECG). We trained a Residual Convolutional Network using a training dataset containing 144 (80%) patients, tuned learning parameters using a validation set including 18 (10%) patients, and tested the performance of the method using 18 (10%) patients, respectively. After comparing all multi-stage algorithms on the testing cohort, the combination of the residual neural network model and wavelet scattering transform data preprocessing method attained the highest coefficient of determination R2 of 90.78% as well as the following other performance metrics and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs): mean square error of 11.55 (10.22–13.5), mean absolute error of 2.42 (2.06–2.85), mean absolute percentage error of 0.91 (0.76–1.13), and explained variance score of 90.87 (85.32–93.31).

Conclusion

The proposed analytical approach that combines data preprocessing, sampling method, and AI algorithm can precisely predict PAP waveform using three input signals obtained by noninvasive approaches.
Preventing fraud in biomedical research
Authors: Cogan Elie
Published: August 2022

Scientific fraud represents, to varying degrees, an increasingly important part of medical literature and is estimated to make up nearly 20% of this literature. The increase in the number of articles accessible in preprint without peer review during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in the accessibility of fraudulent articles. In recent years, the viral increase in the number of predatory journals has contributed to polluting the scientific literature with articles whose content is unverifiable. Given the international nature of biomedical research, there is an urgent need to define unequivocally what is considered scientific fraud. In order to counter scientific misconduct, national and supranational procedures should be implemented to inform researchers at the beginning of their medical and biomedical training. Ethics commissions should implement local procedures for monitoring ongoing research. Finally, the fight against predatory journals requires information for researchers and the availability of tools to identify these journals.
Snow avalanche susceptibility assessment based on ensemble machine learning model in the central Shaluli Mountain
Authors: Bian Rui , Huang Kaiyang , Liao Xin , Ling Sixiang , Wen Hong , Wu Xiyong
Published: August 2022

The central part of the Shaluli Mountains is located in the Ganzi area, Sichuan Province, China, bordered by the Jinsha River and adjacent to Tibet. Frequent avalanches pose a serious threat to human activities and engineering construction such as the Sichuan-Tibet Railway under construction. Therefore, the evaluation of avalanche susceptibility in this area can not only help define the spatial pattern of avalanches on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau but also provide references for the recognition and early warning of regional avalanche disasters. In this study, avalanche samples were selected by remote sensing interpretation supplemented by a detailed field survey, GIS spatial analysis, and data mining. Two statistical models [evidence confidence function (EBF) and certainty coefficient (CF)] combined with two machine learning models [logistic regression (LR) and multilayer perceptron (MLP)] were used to establish four integrated models (EBF-LR, CF-LR, EBF-MLP, and CF-MLP) as well as the traditional frequency ratio model (FR) for avalanche susceptibility evaluation. Finally, the results were checked for accuracy by Kappa coefficients and ROC curves. The CF-MLP (Kappa = 0.606, AUC = 0.910) model was the best avalanche susceptibility evaluation model for this study, the FR (Kappa = 0.584, AUC = 0.894) model had the next highest accuracy, and the combination of the CF algorithm and the machine learning model performed better than the EBF. The most important influencing factors were elevation, slope orientation, terrain moisture index, and January average temperature. The five models showed a high degree of consistency in the sensitivity to topographic factors during the evaluation of susceptibility. The avalanche susceptibility zoning map based on the CF-MLP model was obtained by the natural breakpoint method, and the areas with very high and high susceptibility accounted for about 10.01% and 15.33% of the total area, respectively.
Spatial-temporal evolution of industrial land transformation effect in eastern China
Authors: Dai Deyi , Yang Jixin , Rao Yingxue
Published: August 2022

The study of industrial land transformation effect is of great significance for promoting the sustainable and healthy development of the industrial economy. This paper adopts panel data of 10 provinces in eastern China from 2008 to 2020, constructs an indicator system including five dimensions on the premise of clarifying industrial land transformation and applies the comprehensive evaluation method of gray relational theory to measure its effect. The results show that: 1) overall, industrial land transformation effect in the eastern region shows a good development trend but there are gaps between different provinces, which have been expanding over time in the extreme values. 2) At the provincial level, in terms of industrial land transformation effect, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, and Jiangsu are in the leading positions; Zhejiang, Fujian, and Hebei are in the middle positions; and Tianjin, Hainan and Shandong are slightly behind. 3) At the dimensional level, Industrial land development dimension and industrial land employment dimension generally show a good trend; the spatial pattern of industrial land optimization dimension and environmental pollution control dimension does not change significantly with most provinces at a low level; development conditions support dimension shows a positive spatial trend, indicating that each province attach importance to infrastructure construction and scientific technological progress, creating positive conditions for industrial land transformation. Overall, the results identify whether industrial land in eastern China is being used rationally, which has practical implications for promoting industrial structure upgrading, scientific and technological progress and ecological environment improvement.
Ammonia-oxidizing archaea and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria communities respond differently in oxy-gen-limited habitats
Authors: Du Jialin , Meng Lin , Qiu Mingsheng , Chen Shuaiwei , Zhang Binghui , Song Wenjing , Cong Ping , Zheng Xuebo
Published: August 2022

Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) are the most important ammonia oxidation functional community, while the coastal environment just provides a different oxygen environment for the ammonia oxidation process. However, few surveys concentrated on the influence of oxygen concentration on the niche specialization of AOA and AOB in the ocean intertidal zones. Here, high-throughput sequencing by Illumina MiSeq and qPCR were applied to detect the change of abundance, diversity as well as community structure of both AOA and AOB with 0–60 cm sediments depth in the intertidal zone in Qingdao, China. Results showed that the AOA/AOB amoA gene copy numbers and AOA/AOB OTU numbers rate increased as sediment depth went more profound, which indicated that AOA was more adaptive to oxygen-limited niches compared to AOB. Oxygen indeed led to the niche specialization of AOA and AOB in intertidal sediments. The dominant AOA and AOB were the clusters of Nitrosopumilus and Nitrosospira, respectively, which indicated ecological success in the intertidal zone. A significant and positive correlation (p < 0.01) between AOB abundance/AOB OTU numbers and Oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) was observed. In addition, both total nitrogen (TN) (p < 0.01) and pH (p < 0.05) were significantly negatively correlated to AOB abundance. TN was also significantly negatively correlated to AOB OTU numbers (p < 0.05). Hence, oxygen led to niche specialization of AOA and AOB, especially under anoxic conditions, AOA played a dominant role in the process of ammonia oxidation. The Nitrosopumilus and Nitrosospira clusters were the dominant AOA and AOB, respectively, representing an ecological success in the intertidal zone.
A mendelian randomization study with populations of European ancestry rules out a causal relationship between inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer
Authors: Li Fan , Liu Yuyuan , Wang Zhaodi , Zhao Qi , Li Yuqin , Tang Tongyu
Published: August 2022

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC), a subtype of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), has been found to be associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) in observational studies, but there is no evidence to support a causal relationship or reverse causality between the two diseases.

Methods: We employed two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization to estimate an unconfounded bidirectional causal relationship between IBD (including UC and Crohn’s disease (CD)) and colorectal cancer. After searching IEU GWAS database and filtering SNPs, we applied a variety of MR methods including IVW method using qualified instrumental variables, and conducted sensitivity analysis to detect the heterogeneity and pleiotropy of instrumental variables.

Results: After using three groups of SNPs (CD: 106, UC: 113, IBD: 70), the IVW method MR analysis showed that the results were not significant (result for UC: odds ratio (OR) [95% Confidence Interval (CI)]: 0.9998 [0.9991–1.0005], p value: 0.58; result for CD: OR [95%CI]: 0.99962 [0.99912–1.00012], p value: 0.14; results for IBD: OR [95%CI]: 0.99959 [0.99869–1.00048], p value: 0.36). MR-Egger regression, WM method and MR-RAPS method reached the same conclusion. Sensitivity analysis did not reveal heterogeneity and pleiotropy. Bidirectional MR analysis was performed using the same procedure, and the results of IVW MR analysis were also not significant (result for CD: OR [95%CI]: 1.07985 [0.00049–2372.38304], p value 0.98; result for UC: OR [95%CI]: 0.27117 [0.00014–528.3707], p value: 0.74; result for IBD: OR [95%CI]: 0.47101 [0.0001–2242.94159], p value: 0.86). MR-Egger regression, WM method and MR-RAPS method also reached the same conclusion. Sensitivity analysis did not find any evidence of heterogeneity and pleiotropy.

Conclusion: Contrary to the conclusions of previous observational studies, a two-sample MR analysis did not find a causal relationship or reverse causal relationship between IBD and CRC. Sporadic CRC (sCRC) may differ in pathogenesis from IBD-related CRC.
Anti-factor H antibody and its role in atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome
Authors: Raina Rupesh , Mangat Guneive , Hong Gordon , Shah Raghav , Nair Nikhil , Abboud Brian , Bagga Sumedha , Sethi Sidharth Kumar
Published: August 2022

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) an important form of a thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) that can frequently lead to acute kidney injury (AKI). An important subset of aHUS is the anti-factor H associated aHUS. This variant of aHUS can occur due to deletion of the complement factor H genes, CFHR1 and CFHR3, along with the presence of anti-factor H antibodies. However, it is a point of interest to note that not all patients with anti-factor H associated aHUS have a CFHR1/R3 deletion. Factor-H has a vital role in the regulation of the complement system, specifically the alternate pathway. Therefore, dysregulation of the complement system can lead to inflammatory or autoimmune diseases. Patients with this disease respond well to treatment with plasma exchange therapy along with Eculizumab and immunosuppressant therapy. Anti-factor H antibody associated aHUS has a certain genetic predilection therefore there is focus on further advancements in the diagnosis and management of this disease. In this article we discuss the baseline characteristics of patients with anti-factor H associated aHUS, their triggers, various treatment modalities and future perspectives.
Immunological balance between Treg and Th17 lymphocytes as a key element of type 1 diabetes progression in children
Authors: Starosz Aleksandra , Jamiołkowska-Sztabkowska Milena , Głowińska-Olszewska Barbara , Moniuszko Marcin , Bossowski Artur , Grubczak Kamil
Published: August 2022

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is autoimmune destruction of the beta cells of pancreatic islets. Due to complexity of that disease, the mechanisms leading to the tolerance breakdown are still not fully understood. Previous hypothesis of imbalance in the Th1 and Th2 cells as the main contributing factor has been recently changed towards role of other lymphocytes – regulatory (Treg) and IL-17A-producing (Th17). Our study aims to assess changes within Treg and Th17 cells in newly diagnosed T1D pediatric patients and their association with disease remission. Flow cytometry implementation allowed for Treg and Th17 analysis in studied groups and further combination with clinical and laboratory data. In addition, expression of diabetes-related genes was tested and evaluated in context of their association with studied lymphocytes. Initial results revealed that Treg and ratio Treg/Th17 are significantly higher in T1D than in healthy controls. Moreover, patients with lower HbA1c and daily insulin requirements demonstrated higher levels of Tregs. Similar tendency for insulin intake was also observed in reference to Th17 cells, together with high levels of these cells in patients demonstrating higher values for c-peptide after 2 years. In low-level Treg patients, that subset correlates with the c-peptide in the admission stage. In addition, higher levels of IL-10 were associated with its correlation with HbA1c and insulin dosage. In the context of gene expression, moderate associations were demonstrated in T1D subjects inter alia between CTLA4 and Treg or ratio Treg/Th17. Cumulatively, our data indicate a possible novel role of Treg and Th17 in mechanism of type 1 diabetes. Moreover, potential prognostic value of these populations has been shown in reference to diabetes remission.
Association between frontal fibrosing Alopecia and Rosacea: Results from clinical observational studies and gene expression profiles
Authors: Liu Lin , Chen Yangmei , Chen Jiayi , Xue Yuzhou , Chen Tingqiao , Li Yuxin , Shao Xinyi , Chen Jin
Published: August 2022

Background

In recent years, frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA), a type of scarring alopecia, has attracted increasing attention. Several studies have reported the frequent occurrence of rosacea in FFA; however, the association between FFA and rosacea and the underlying pathogenesis have not been thoroughly clarified. Thus, this study aimed to quantify these relationships and investigate their shared molecular mechanisms.

Methods

We evaluated the association between FFA and rosacea by analyzing clinical data from nine observational studies. We then analyzed the gene expression profiles of FFA and rosacea. First, differential expression analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis were used to identify the common differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Later, we conducted a functional enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction network and used seven algorithms to identify hub genes. Then, we performed a correlation analysis between the hub genes and the gene set variation analysis scores of common pathways in the gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). The results were validated using different datasets. Finally, transcription factors were predicted and verified, and CIBERSORT and single-sample GSEA were used to estimate the infiltrating immune cells.

Results

Patients with FFA had significantly higher odds for rosacea (pooled odds ratio [OR], 2.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.78–3.40), and the pooled prevalence of rosacea in patients with FFA was 23% (95% CI, 14–23%). Furthermore, we identified 115 co-DEGs and 13 hub genes (CCR5, CCL19, CD2, CD38, CD83, CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, CXCR4, IRF1, IRF8, and PTPRC). Seven pathways showed a high correlation with these hub genes. In addition, one TF, STAT1, was highly expressed in both diseases, and the results of the immune infiltration analysis indicated the importance of M1 macrophages and effector memory CD8+ T cells.

Conclusion

This study contributes to the understanding of the relationship between FFA and rosacea, and based on the hub genes, we reveal the potential pathologies shared by the two diseases. This finding provides new insights of underlying molecular mechanisms and it may inspire future research on this comorbidity.
The association between cognitive impairment and 30-day mortality among older Chinese inpatients
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Ming , Jiao Jing , Guo Na , Zhu Chen , Li Zhen , Lv Dongmei , Wang Hui , Jin Jingfen , Wen Xianxiu , Zhao Shengxiu , Wu Xinjuan , Xu Tao
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Although the association between cognitive impairment and mortality has been widely described among community-dwelling older adults, this association in hospitalized patients was limited.

Objectives

This study's purpose was to explore the association between cognitive impairment and 30-day mortality after adjustment of factors among Chinese in-patients.

Methods

This was a large-scale prospective study based on a cohort of patients aged 65 years and older, whose cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Cog instrument, followed up at 30-days for mortality. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the association between cognitive impairment and 30-day mortality.

Results

There were 9,194 inpatients in our study, with an average age of 72.41 ± 5.72. The prevalence of cognitive impairment using the Mini-Cog instrument was 20.5%. Multivariable analyses showed that patients with cognitive impairment have an increased risk of 30-day mortality, compared to those with normal cognitive function (OR = 2.83,95%CI:1.89–4.24) in an unadjusted model. In the fully adjusted model, Patients with cognitive impairment had an increased risk of 30-day mortality compared to those with normal cognitive function in the completely adjusted model (OR = 1.76,95% CI: 1.14–2.73). Additionally, this association still existed and was robust after performing a stratified analysis of age, gender, frailty and depression, with no significant interaction (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Our study found that older Chinese in-patients with cognitive impairment have a 1.76-fold risk of 30-day mortality compared to patients with normal cognitive function, suggesting that clinicians and nurses need to early implement cognitive function screening and corresponding interventions to improve clinical outcomes for older in-patients.
Risk prediction of dysthyroid optic neuropathy based on CT imaging features combined the bony orbit with the soft tissue structures
Authors: Cheng Shengnan , Ming Yangcan , Hu Mang , Zhang Yan , Jiang Fagang , Wang Xinghua , Xiao Zefeng
Published: August 2022

Purpose

To analyze computed tomographic (CT) imaging features of patients with dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) retrospectively and deduce a more appropriate predictive model.

Methods

The CT scans and medical records of 60 patients with clinically proven Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) with (26 women and 10 men) and without DON (16 women and 8 men) were retrospectively reviewed, and 20 age- and sex-matched control participants (12 women and 8 men) were enrolled consecutively. The bony orbit [orbital rim angle (ORA), medial and lateral orbital wall angles (MWA and LWA), orbital apex angle (OAA), and length of the lateral orbital wall (LWL)], and the soft tissue structures [maximum extraocular muscle diameters (Max EOMD), muscle diameter index (MDI), medial and lateral rectus bulk from inter-zygomatic line (MRIZL and LRIZL), proptosis, intraorbital optic nerve stretching length (IONSL), superior ophthalmic vein diameter (SOVD), apical crowding, and presence of intracranial fat prolapse] were assessed on a clinical workstation. The CT features among groups were compared, and a multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the predictive features of DON.

Results

All bony orbital angle indicators, except ORA (p = 0.461), were statistically different among the three groups (all p < 0.05). The values of MWA, LWA, OAA, and LWL were larger in the orbits with the DON group than in the orbits without the DON group (all p < 0.05). The MDI, MRIZL, proptosis, IONSL, and SOVD were statistically significantly different among the three groups (all p < 0.05), in which the orbits with the DON group were significantly higher than the orbits without the DON group and control group. The apical crowding was more severe in the orbits with the DON group than in the orbits without the DON group (p = 0.000). There were no significant differences in the LRIZL and the presence of intracranial fat prolapse (all p > 0.05). The multivariate regression analysis showed that the MWA, MDI, and SOVD were the independent factors predictive of DON. The sensitivity and specificity for the presence of DON by combining these three indicators were 89 and 83%, respectively.

Conclusion

Bone and soft tissue CT features are useful in the risk prediction of DON, especially the MWA, MDI, and SOVD were the independent factors predictive of DON.
Diaphragm dysfunction after severe COVID-19: An ultrasound study
Authors: Boussuges Alain , Habert Paul , Chaumet Guillaume , Rouibah Rawah , Delorme Lea , Menard Amelie , Million Matthieu , Bartoli Axel , Guedj Eric , Gouitaa Marion , Zieleskiewicz Laurent , Finance Julie , Coiffard Benjamin , Delliaux Stephane , Brégeon Fabienne
Published: August 2022

Background

SARS-CoV-2 infection can impair diaphragm function at the acute phase but the frequency of diaphragm dysfunction after recovery from COVID-19 remains unknown.

Materials and methods

This study was carried out on patients reporting persistent respiratory symptoms 3–4 months after severe COVID-19 pneumonia. The included patients were selected from a medical consultation designed to screen for recovery after acute infection. Respiratory function was assessed by a pulmonary function test, and diaphragm function was studied by ultrasonography.

Results

In total, 132 patients (85M, 47W) were recruited from the medical consultation. During the acute phase of the infection, the severity of the clinical status led to ICU admission for 58 patients (44%). Diaphragm dysfunction (DD) was detected by ultrasonography in 13 patients, two of whom suffered from hemidiaphragm paralysis. Patients with DD had more frequently muscle pain complaints and had a higher frequency of prior cardiothoracic or upper abdominal surgery than patients with normal diaphragm function. Pulmonary function testing revealed a significant decrease in lung volumes and DLCO and the dyspnea scores (mMRC and Borg10 scores) were significantly increased in patients with DD. Improvement in respiratory function was recorded in seven out of nine patients assessed 6 months after the first ultrasound examination.

Conclusion

Assessment of diaphragm function by ultrasonography after severe COVID-19 pneumonia revealed signs of dysfunction in 10% of our population. In some cases, ultrasound examination probably discovered an un-recognized pre-existing DD. COVID-19 nonetheless contributed to impairment of diaphragm function. Prolonged respiratory physiotherapy led to improvement in respiratory function in most patients.

Clinical trial registration

[www.cnil.fr], identifier [#PADS20-207].
Genomic insights from Paraclostridium bifermentans HD0315_2: General features and pathogenic potential
Authors: Zhao Hailan , Wang Jiaqi , Peng Yao , Cai Xunchao , Liu Yandi , Huang Wenqi , Huang Hongli , Nie Yuqiang
Published: August 2022

Background

Paraclostridium bifermentans is the most diverse distributed species of Paraclostridium and can cause fatal human infections under rare conditions. However, its pathogenic mechanisms and adaptation ability behind infections remain unclear. Herein, we reported the complete genome sequence of P. bifermentans HD0315_2 isolated from the feces of a patient with Crohn's disease. Then, we performed genomic analyses to understand its pathogenic mechanisms and adaptation ability.

Results

The de novo assembly revealed that the HD0315_2 strain carried a circular chromosome of 3.27 Mb and six circular plasmids (19.41 to 139.50 kb). The phylogenomic analysis assigned the HD0315_2 strain as P. bifermentans and reclassified some previously non-P. bifermentans strains into this clade. The general genomic features showed that this species harbored a flexible genomic pool characterized by variable genome length and multiple plasmids. Then, the HD0315_2 strain was predicted as a human pathogen with high probability, and Listeria LIPI-1 virulence proteins were identified on its genome. Besides, abundant antibiotics/metal/stress resistant genes, such as asrABCH, cat, mccF, macB, entS, albA, bcrA, and tetB, were carried by either the genome or the plasmids. Furthermore, we proposed that transposase-directed horizontal gene transfer was responsible for the distribution of multiple copies of the hin gene in the plasmids.

Conclusion

The flexible genomic pool of P. bifermentans encodes abundant functions for antimicrobial or oxidative stress resistance, helping it successfully inhabit and adapt to diverse environments. Moreover, P. bifermentans HD0315_2 might infect hosts via a Listeria LIPI-1-like cycle, with the help of a plasmid expressing the Hin DNA invertase to evade host immune responses.