bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microcephaly is associated with impaired educational development in children with congenital heart disease
Authors: Pfitzer Constanze , Sievers Laura K. , Hütter Alina , Khaliq Hashim-Abdul , Poryo Martin , Berger Felix , Bauer Ulrike M. M. , Helm Paul C. , Schmitt Katharina R. L.
Published: October 2022

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the school careers of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) and microcephaly.

Methods

An exploratory online survey was conducted on patients from a previous study on somatic development in children with CHD in 2018 (n = 2818). A total of 750 patients participated in the online survey (26.6%). This publication focuses on 91 patients (12.1%) diagnosed with CHD and microcephaly who participated in the new online survey.

Results

Microcephaly was significantly associated with CHD severity (p < 0.001). Microcephalic patients suffered from psychiatric comorbidity two times as often (67.0%) as non-microcephalic patients (29.8%). In particular, the percentage of patients with developmental delay, intellectual debility, social disability, learning disorder, or language disorder was significantly increased in microcephalic CHD patients (p < 0.001). A total of 85.7% of microcephalic patients and 47.6% of non-microcephalic patients received early interventions to foster their development. The school enrollment of both groups was similar at approximately six years of age. However, 89.9% of non-microcephalic but only 51.6% of microcephalic patients were enrolled in a regular elementary school. Regarding secondary school, only half as many microcephalic patients (14.3%) went to grammar school, while the proportion of pupils at special schools was eight times higher. Supportive interventions, e.g., for specific learning disabilities, were used by 52.7% of microcephalic patients and 21.6% of non-microcephalic patients.

Conclusion

Patients with CHD and microcephaly are at high risk for impaired educational development. Early identification should alert clinicians to provide targeted interventions to optimize the developmental potential.
A systemic review and meta-analysis comparing the ability of diagnostic of the third heart sound and left ventricular ejection fraction in heart failure
Authors: Dao Lin , Huang Min , Lin Xinghong , Li Liuyin , Feng Xixi , Wei Changyou , Guo Mingjin , Yang Yifan , Xu Fan , Weng Xiechuan
Published: October 2022

Objective

This study aimed to compare the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis between the third heart sound (S3) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in heart failure (HF).

Methods

Relevant studies were searched in PubMed, SinoMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the Cochrane Trial Register until February 20, 2022. The sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio (LR), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were pooled. The symmetric receiver operator characteristic curve (SROC) and Fagan’s nomogram were drawn. The source of heterogeneity was explored by meta-regression and subgroup analysis.

Results

A total of 19 studies, involving 5,614 participants, were included. The combined sensitivity of S3 was 0.23 [95% confidence interval (CI) (0.15–0.33), specificity was 0.94 [95% CI (0.82–0.98)], area under the SROC curve was 0.49, and the DOR was 4.55; while the sensitivity of LVEF was 0.70 [95% CI (0.53–0.83)], specificity was 0.79 [95% CI (0.75–0.82)], area under the SROC curve was 0.79, and the DOR was 8.64. No publication bias was detected in Deeks’ funnel plot. The prospective design, partial verification bias, and blind contributed to the heterogeneity in specificity, while adequate description of study participants contributed to the heterogeneity in sensitivity. In Fagan’s nomogram, the post-test probability was 48% when the pre-test probability was set as 20%, while in LVEF, the post-test probability was 45% when the pre-test probability was set as 20%.

Conclusion

The use of S3 alone presented lower sensitivity in diagnosing HF compared with LVEF, whereas it was useful in early pathological assessment.
Health-related quality of life in children with congenital heart disease following interventional closure versus minimally invasive closure
Authors: Yuan Yuxing , Pan Bo , Liang Xiaohua , Lv Tiewei , Tian Jie
Published: October 2022

Introduction

The presence of atrial septal defect (ASD) or ventricular septal defect (VSD) significantly affects children’s quality of life and, if not treated adequately, can contribute to increased mortality. In this study, we evaluated and compared the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of children who underwent treatment using either minimally invasive closure (MIC) or interventional closure (IC).

Materials and methods

In this observational and comparative study 199 children (2 to 4.5 years of age) underwent closure treatment for simple ASD or VSD at the Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between February 2021 and September 2021. Of these, 116 were treated with IC and 83 with MIC. Both preoperative and postoperative HRQL scores were assessed using the PedsQLTM3.0 Cardiac Module and the children were followed up at 3 and 6 months after surgery.

Results

The two groups did not differ significantly in terms of demographics, baseline clinical characteristics, or pre-operative data. The duration of anesthesia (45 mins vs. 109 mins), procedures (25 mins vs. 48 mins), and length of postoperative hospital stay (4.32 days vs. 6.87 days) in the IC group were significantly less than in the MIC group (P < 0.001). The incidence of postoperative pneumonia in the VSD patients who underwent MIC was significantly higher than in those who underwent IC treatment (28.9% vs. 0 percent, P < 0.001). The HRQL scores increased significantly in both groups following treatment and follow-up evaluations (P < 0.001). The mean HRQL score of the IC group 3 months after treatment was significantly higher than that of the MIC group (88.9 vs. 85.7, P < 0.001), indicating a significant increase from the baseline score compared with the MIC group (5.4 vs. 2.6, P < 0.001). The IC group also showed higher scores than the MIC group (P < 0.05) in the dimensions of “Heart Problems and Treatment,” “Treatment Anxiety,” and “Cognitive Problems,” with higher scores indicating fewer problems.

Conclusion

The health-related quality of life in children with ASD and VSD improved continuously regardless of IC or MIC intervention. However, IC led to better HRQL in the early postoperative stage.
Dual pathway inhibition as compared to acetylsalicylic acid monotherapy in relation to endothelial function in peripheral artery disease, a phase IV clinical trial
Authors: Willems Loes H. , Thijssen Dick H. J. , Groh Laszlo A. , Kooijman Nina I. , Ten Cate Hugo , Spronk Henri M. H. , Donders A. Rogier T. , van der Vijver-Coppen Rozemarijn J. , van Hoek Frank , Nagy Magdolna , Reijnen Michel M. P. J. , Warlé Michiel C.
Published: October 2022

Objective

Dual pathway inhibition (DPI) by combining acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) with low-dose rivaroxaban has been shown to reduce cardiovascular events in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) when compared to ASA monotherapy. A potential explanation is that inhibition of factor Xa improves endothelial function through crosstalk between coagulation and inflammatory pathways, subsequently attenuating the occurrence of cardiovascular events. We hypothesize that the addition of rivaroxaban to ASA in PAD patients leads to improved endothelial function.

Design

An investigator-initiated, multicentre trial investigating the effect of DPI on endothelial function.

Methods

Patients, diagnosed with PAD, were enrolled in two cohorts: cohort A (Rutherford I-III) and cohort B (Rutherford IV-VI). Participants received ASA monotherapy for a 4-weeks run-in period, followed by 12 weeks of DPI. Macro- and microvascular endothelial dysfunction were studied by measuring carotid artery reactivity upon sympathetic stimulus and by measuring plasma endothelin-1 concentrations, respectively. All measurements were performed during the use of ASA (baseline) and after 12 weeks of DPI.

Results

159 PAD patients (111 cohort A, 48 cohort B) were enrolled. Twenty patients discontinued study drugs early. Carotid artery constriction upon sympathetic stimulation at baseline (ASA) and after 12 weeks of DPI was similar in the total group, 22.0 vs. 22.7% (p = 1.000), and in the subgroups (Cohort A 22.6 vs. 23.7%, p = 1.000; cohort B 20.5 vs. 20.5%, p = 1.000), respectively. The mean concentration of plasma endothelin-1 at baseline and after 12 weeks of DPI did not differ, 1.70 ± 0.5 vs. 1.66 ± 0.64 pmol/L (p = 0.440) in the total group, 1.69 ± 0.59 vs. 1.62 ± 0.55 pmol/L in cohort A (p = 0.202), and 1.73 ± 0.53 vs. 1.77 ± 0.82 pmol/L in cohort B (p = 0.682), respectively.

Conclusion

Macro- and microvascular endothelial dysfunction, as reflected by carotid artery reactivity and plasma endothelin-1 concentrations, are not influenced in PAD patients by addition of low-dose rivaroxaban to ASA monotherapy for 12 weeks.

Trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04218656.
Identification of intrinsic genes across general hypertension, hypertension with left ventricular remodeling, and uncontrolled hypertension
Authors: Yu Chun-yang , Gu Yang , Jiang Yi-cheng , Zhang Xi-wen
Published: October 2022

The purpose of the present article is to identify intrinsic genes across general hypertension (HT), hypertension with left ventricular remodeling (HT-LVR), and uncontrolled hypertension (UN-HT). In total, four microarray datasets (GSE24752, GSE75360, GSE74144, and GSE71994) were downloaded from the GEO database and were used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), respectively. Furthermore, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was utilized to screen for significantly enriched biological pathways across the four datasets above, respectively. Furthermore, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and functional enrichment analysis were applied to screen out gene modules of interest and potential biological functions, respectively. Finally, a Metascape-based multiple gene list meta-analysis was used to investigate intrinsic genes at different stages of the progression of hypertension. A total of 75 DEGs (63 upregulated genes and 12 downregulated genes, GSE24752) and 23 DEGs (2 upregulated genes and 21 downregulated genes, GSE74144) were identified. However, there were few DEGs identified in GSE75360, GSE71994, and part of the GSE74144 datasets. GSEA and functional enrichment of gene module of interest have indicated that “Heme metabolism,” “TNF alpha/NFkB,” and “interferon alpha response signaling,” and MYC target v1/v2 were enriched significantly in different stages of hypertension progression. Significantly, findings from the multiple gene list meta-analysis suggested that FBXW4 and other 13 genes were unique to the hypertension group, and TRIM11 and other 40 genes were mainly involved in hypertension with the left ventricular remodeling group, while the other 18 genes including F13A1 significantly enriched in uncontrolled hypertension. Collectively, the precise switch of the “immune-metabolic-inflammatory” loop pathway was the most significant hallmark across different stages of hypertension, thereby providing a potential therapeutic target for uncontrolled hypertension treatment.
Teaching faculty perceptions, attitudes, challenges, and satisfaction of online teaching during COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia: A national survey
Authors: Alqahtani Jaber S. , Aldhahir Abdulelah M. , Al Ghamdi Shouq S. , Aldakhil Ahmad M. , Al-Otaibi Hajed M. , AlRabeeah Saad M. , Alzahrani Eman M. , Elsafi Salah H. , Alqahtani Abdullah S. , Al-maqati Thekra N. , Alnasser Musallam , Alnaam Yaser A. , Alzahrani Eidan M. , Alwafi Hassan , Almotairi Wafi , Oyelade Tope
Published: October 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated preventative measures introduced a shock to the teaching paradigm in Saudi Arabia and the world. While many studies have documented the challenges and perceptions of students during the COVID-19 pandemic, less attention has been given to higher education staff. The aim of the present investigation is to evaluate the staff’s perception and experiences of online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and methods

A validated survey was conducted between December 2021 and June 2022 in Saudi Arabian Universities to assess the status of online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic among faculty members. The collected responses were exploratively and statistically analyzed.

Results

A total of 1117 response was received. About 66% of the respondents were male and 90% of them hold postgraduate degree. Although rarely or occasionally teach online pre-COVID-19, only 33% of the respondents think the transition was difficult and 55% of them support the move. Most respondents received adequate training (68%) and tools (80%) and 88% of the respondents mentioned that they did not accrue additional workload in online study design. While the perception of online teaching was mostly positive (62%) with high satisfaction (71%). However, 25% of the respondents reported that a poor internet bandwidth was an obstacle and 20% was unable to track students’ engagement. Respondents with more years of experience, previous training, support, or perceived online transition as easy were also more likely to be satisfied with the process. Also, older respondents, those who support the transition and those with previous training were less likely to report barriers (allp< 0.001).

Conclusion

The perception and experience of transition to online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia were positive. Low internet bandwidth and inability to track students’ limited effective online teaching. Work experience, previous training, and positive perception are the main factors that influence staff online teaching satisfaction.
Fostering community socio-educational resilience in pandemic times: Its concept, characteristics and prospects
Authors: Iglesias Edgar , Esteban-Guitart Moises , Puyaltó Carolina , Montserrat Carme
Published: October 2022

One area of research that has important implications for preventing school failure is concerned with “resilient students,” or those children and youth learners who succeed in school despite the presence of adverse circumstances. However, this concept supposes a reductionist vision of the phenomenon of educational resilience by considering the individual as an object of intervention, as well as assuming deficits and limitations to it: its socioeconomic, cultural and linguistic condition. In contrast, we understand resilience as an available resource that transcends the individual and is integrated within a given territory, region or city. The aim of this paper is therefore to propose the incorporation of a new term in the available literature, namely, “community socio-educational resilience (CSER),” inspired in the term “community resilience.” To this end, the new term is defined, characterized and illustrated from an experience carried out during lockdown due to COVID-19. By “CSER” we mean the engagement of different social, cultural and educational agents in the design and implementation of creative and transformative educational practices that challenge such adversity and uncertain circumstances as those deriving from the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., home confinement, remote teaching). Five fundamental dimensions of the construct are proposed and suggestions for educational practice are discussed.
Diabetic kidney disease progression is associated with decreased lower-limb muscle mass and increased visceral fat area in T2DM patients
Authors: Lin Xiaopu , Chen Zhenguo , Huang Haishan , Zhong Jingyi , Xu Lingling
Published: October 2022

Aim

This study aimed to explore the relationship between lower-limb muscle mass/visceral fat area and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) progression in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

A total of 879 participants with T2DM were divided into 4 groups according to the prognosis of CKD classification from Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO). Rectus femoris cross-sectional area (RFCSA) was measured through ultrasound, and visceral fat area (VFA) was evaluated with bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA).

Results

T2DM patients with high to very high prognostic risk of DKD showed a reduced RFCSA (male P < 0.001; female P < 0.05), and an enlarged VFA (male P < 0.05; female P < 0.05). The prognostic risk of DKD was negatively correlated with RFCSA (P < 0.05), but positively correlated with VFA (P < 0.05). Receiver-operating characteristic analysis revealed that the cutoff points of T2DM duration combined with RFCSA and VFA were as follows: (male: 7 years, 6.60 cm2, and 111 cm2; AUC = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.78–0.88; sensitivity, 78.0%; specificity, 68.6%, P < 0.001) (female: 9 years, 5.05 cm2, and 91 cm2; AUC = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.66–0.81; sensitivity, 73.9%; specificity, 63.3%, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

A significant association was demonstrated between reduced RFCSA/increased VFA and high- to very high-prognostic risk of DKD. T2DM duration, RFCSA, and VFA may be valuable markers of DKD progression in patients with T2DM.

Clinical trial registration

http://www.chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2100042214
Adiponectin: A player in the pathogenesis of hormone-dependent cancers
Authors: Tsankof Alexandra , Tziomalos Konstantinos
Published: October 2022

Hormone-dependent cancers are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in both genders. Accumulating evidence suggest that adiponectin, an adipokine with multifaceted functions, is implicated in the pathogenesis of several malignancies. In the present review, we discuss the existing data regarding this relationship. Several observational studies showed that low adiponectin levels are associated with higher risk for breast, cervical, endometrial, ovarian and prostate cancer. A relationship between adiponectin and the aggressiveness of some of these tumors has also been reported. In vitro studies reported that adiponectin inhibits the proliferation and induces apoptosis of breast, cervical, endometrial, ovarian and prostate cancer cells. Given the high prevalence of these cancers and the substantial associated morbidity and mortality, the role of agents that increase adiponectin levels and/or stimulate its activity should be evaluated for the prevention and management of these common tumors.
Correlation analysis of carotid artery intima-media thickness, serum 25(OH)D and men with erectile dysfunction
Authors: Zhang Jun-hao , Li Wei , Wang Cheng-yue , Zhang An-ni , Jia Ben-zhong , Li Ya-wei , Shi Zhen-duo , Tang Kai-fa , Han Cong-hui
Published: October 2022

Our goal is to investigate the connection between serum 25(OH)D and carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) in men with erectile dysfunction (ED).Serum 25(OH)D and CIMT were measured in 124 participants with erectile dysfunction and 39 healthy controls. The relationship between them and different patient-related parameters and disease-related parameters was studied. Compared with the control group and mild ED group, the level of serum 25(OH)D in moderate ED group and severe ED group decreased significantly(P<0.05). The CIMT values of moderate ED group and severe ED group were higher than those of the control group(P<0.05). The CIMT value of severe ED group was significantly higher than that of mild ED group(P<0.05). IIEF-5 score was positively correlated with serum 25(OH)D level, but negatively correlated with CIMT value(P<0.05). After adjusting for the influence of confounding factors, The CIMT values, 25(OH)D and IIEF-5 score were substantially associated(P<0.05). The serum level of 25(OH)D and IIEF-5 score were positively correlated, while the CIMT values and IIEF-5 score were negatively correlated. The level of serum 25(OH)D should be analyzed in men with ED, especially in patients with vasculogenic ED, and supplementation is recommended for those who were with vitamin D deficiency.
Outcome of CRH stimulation test and overnight 8 mg dexamethasone suppression test in 469 patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome
Authors: Detomas Mario , Ritzel Katrin , Nasi-Kordhishti Isabella , Wolfsberger Stefan , Quinkler Marcus , Losa Marco , Tröger Viola , Kroiss Matthias , Fassnacht Martin , Vila Greisa , Honegger Jürgen Bernd , Reincke Martin , Deutschbein Timo
Published: October 2022

Objective

To evaluate diagnostic accuracy of the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation test and the overnight 8 mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST) for the differentiation of Cushing’s disease (CD) and ectopic Cushing’s syndrome (ECS).

Methods

Retrospective study in 6 European centers. Inclusion criteria: patients with a) overt adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)-dependent Cushing’s syndrome at the time of dynamic testing, b) histopathological confirmed tumors and/or c) postoperative biochemical remission and/or adrenal insufficiency. Optimal cut-offs were calculated via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis using CD as reference.

Results

469 patients were analyzed [78% females; median age 43 years (IQR 19)]. CRH test and overnight 8 mg DST were performed in 420 [CD, n=394 (94%); ECS, n=26 (6%)] and 237 patients [228 CD (96%), 9 ECS (4%)]. Both tests were performed in 205 patients (44%). The post-CRH %-increase at 30 minutes of both ACTH (cut-off ≥31%, sensitivity 83%, specificity 85%, AUC 0.81) and cortisol (cut-off ≥12%, sensitivity 82%, specificity 89%, AUC 0.86) discriminated best between CD and ECS. A test duration of >60 minutes did not improve diagnostic performance of the CRH test. The optimal cortisol cut-off for the %-suppression during the 8 mg DST was ≥55% (sensitivity 80%, specificity 78%, AUC 0.75).

Conclusion

The CRH test has equivalent sensitivity but higher specificity than the 8 mg DST and is therefore the test of first choice. The diagnostic outcome of ACTH and cortisol is well comparable, however, sampling beyond 60 minutes post-CRH does not provide diagnostic benefits.
The influence of institutional quality on environmental efficiency of energy consumption in BRICS countries
Authors: Rasheed Noman , Khan Dilawar , Magda Róbert
Published: October 2022

It has been observed in the literature that efficient energy use reduces production cost and carbon emissions into the environment. This study further argues that institutional quality enhances environmental efficiency of energy consumption. Therefore, this study was carried out with the aim of exploring the influence of institutional quality on environmental efficiency of energy use in BRICS countries for the period from 2001 to 2020. A two-step procedure was carried out to achieve the objectives of this study. First, the environmental efficiency of energy consumption was estimated using the stochastic Frontier analysis (SFA) technique. The results of the SFA approach show that the average environmental efficiency of energy use in BRICS countries is 61%, ranging from 37.5 to 100%. Furthermore, there is 39% room for improvement in environmental efficiency of energy use in BRICS countries. Moreover, the SFA results also indicate that South Africa has the highest average environmental efficiency, and China has the lowest environmental efficiency score among BRICS countries. Second, this study employed the system GMM technique to explore the impact of institutional quality on environmental efficiency of energy consumption in BRICS countries. The results of the system GMM show that institutional quality plays a significant role in improving environmental efficiency of energy consumption in BRICS countries. Finally, this study recommends some policy measures based on the study’s findings to improve environmental efficiency of energy consumption.
Multi-objective optimal scheduling of reserve capacity of electric vehicles based on user wishes
Authors: Shao Ping , Yang Zhile , Guo Yuanjun , Zhao Shihao , Zhu Xiaodong
Published: October 2022

Due to the considerable number of electric vehicles and the characteristics of energy storage, it is possible for these new energy factors to participate in the operation and regulation of the power system and provide reserve service. In view of this, a multi-objective optimal scheduling model is established, aiming at the economic benefits of electricity collectors, the microgrid power fluctuations, and user satisfaction. Among them, the expression paradigm of user satisfaction is proposed. At the same time, an improved adaptive non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-III-W) was proposed to solve the problem of large-scale and high-dimensional multi-objective in the model. First, an adaptive T-crossover operator is proposed to increase the search and optimization capability of NSGA-III. Second, an adaptive crossover mutation mechanism is proposed to improve the convergence performance of the algorithm. In addition, a compromise solution is selected from the obtained Pareto-dominated solutions through the distance ranking method of superior and inferior solutions (TOPSIS). The improved NSGA-III algorithm, namely the NSGA-III-W algorithm, is compared with the mainstream intelligent optimization algorithms non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) and decomposition-based multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA\D), and the simulation results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed model and the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Thermal examination for the micropolar gold–blood nanofluid flow through a permeable channel subject to gyrotactic microorganisms
Authors: Khan Arshad , Alyami Maryam Ahmed , Alghamdi Wajdi , Alqarni M. M. , Yassen Mansour F. , Tag Eldin Elsayed
Published: October 2022

Presently, scientists across the world are carrying out theoretical and experimental examinations for describing the importance of nanofluids in the heat transfer phenomena. Such fluids can be obtained by suspending nanoparticles in the base fluid. Experimentally, it has proved that the thermal characteristics of nanofluids are much better and more appealing than those of traditional fluids. The current study investigates the heat transfer for the flow of blood that comprises micropolar gold nanoparticles. The influence of chemically reactive activation energy, thermophoresis, thermal radiations, and Brownian motion exists between the walls of the channel. A microorganism creation also affects the concentration of nanoparticles inside the channel. Suitable transformation has been used to change the mathematical model to its dimensionless form and then solve by using the homotopy analysis method. In this investigation, it has been revealed that the linear velocity behavior is two-folded over the range 0≤η≤1. The flow is declining in the range 0≤η≤0.5, whereas it is augmenting upon the range 0.5≤η≤1. Thermal characteristics are supported by augmentation in volumetric fraction, thermophoresis, radiation, and Brownian motion parameters while opposed by the Prandtl number. The concentration of the fluid increases with augmentation in activation energy parameters and decays with an increase in thermophoresis, Brownian motion, chemical reaction parameters, and the Schmidt number. The density of microorganisms weakens by growth in Peclet and bioconvection Lewis numbers.
Supply-demand bilateral energy structure optimization and carbon emission reduction in Shandong rural areas based on long-range energy alternatives planning model
Authors: Wang Jing , Liu Mohan
Published: October 2022

To solve the problem of large carbon emissions in rural area, this paper conducts field research in rural areas of Shandong and embarks on supply-demand bilateral energy structure optimization which combines local resource endowments, the latest rural energy application technologies and energy consumption preference. The study uses long-range energy alternatives planning (LEAP) model to analyze the trend of energy consumption and CO2 emission from 2020 to 2050 under four different scenarios. The results of Tanzhuang show that residents in rural areas still rely on traditional biomass for energy consumption, especially for winter heating. Energy structure optimization has a significant impact on energy saving and emission reduction. Energy consumption and generation are projected steadily up to 2050 under all scenarios while the carbon emissions show a downward trend with a rapid decline from 2021 to 2030 and a relatively stable state for the next 20 years. Combining policy advancement and marginal carbon abatement cost (MACC) of different energy technologies, energy structure optimization-low cost (ESO-LOW) scenario shows a higher emission reduction benefits than the others. Six other villages in Shandong are analyzed in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of supply-demand bilateral energy structure optimization, sensitivity results show that the optimization is significant to the carbon neutrality target and carbon emission reduction.
The concentrations and sources of PAHs and PCBs in soil from an oil field and estuary in the Yellow River Delta, China
Authors: Jianrong Cao , Yanjun Liu , Sujie Yu
Published: October 2022

The occurrence of organic pollutants [i.e. polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)] had been assessed in the soil samples collected from two sub-regions (an oil field and the Yellow River Estuary) in the Yellow River Delta (YRD), China. The concentrations of PAHs and PCBs in the soil were in the range of 157.8–481.7 μg kg−1 (dry weight) and 5.6–56.6 μg kg−1 (dry weight), respectively. The average concentration of PAHs in the soil samples from the oil field were 274.0 μg kg−1, and that in the estuary soil samples were 244.4 μg kg−1. The average concentration of PCBs in the soil samples from the oil field and the estuary were 24.2 μg kg−1 and 10.8 μg kg−1, respectively. The contribution of low molecular weight PAHs (two-ring and three-ring PAHs) was larger in the soil samples from the oil field than that in the estuary soil samples. Both PAHs and PCBs contaminations in the estuary area were lower than that in the oil field area. By using diagnostic ratios analysis, the main source of PAHs was attributed to petroleum input caused by the fuel oil or light refined petroleum products in the Gudong Oilfield. The amount of low-chlorine congeners (three to four chlorine atoms) PCBs in soil samples from the oil field were higher than that in the estuary soil samples. The congeners analysis of PCBs and the correlation analysis between the concentrations of PAHs and PCBs were employed. The results indicated that the emission of PCBs in YRD were influenced by both Gudong oilfield and other industrial sources.
Association of PM2.5 With blood lipids and dyslipidaemia in a rural population of north-western china
Authors: Wang Kairong , Zhao Yi , Wang Qingan , Zhang Yajuan , Zhang Yuhong
Published: October 2022

Background: Evidence regarding the association between particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) and blood lipid levels is insufficient in the rural areas of developing countries. Few studies have estimated the role of PM2.5 in blood lipid levels. We investigated the relationship between long-term exposure to PM2.5, blood lipids, and dyslipidaemia in rural Chinese adults.

Methods: Baseline data of 15,802 participants (aged 35–74 years) in the China Northwest Cohort-Ningxia Project were used in this study. PM2.5 levels were assessed using satellite remote sensing data in accordance with each participant’s home address. Personally exposed PM2.5 was defined as the 3-year mean concentration prior to the baseline survey. Logistic and linear models were utilised to quantify the associations of PM2.5 with the prevalence of dyslipidaemia and with blood lipids, including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).

Results: The 3-year mean level of PM2.5 was 35.36 ± 4.21 μg/m3. Every 1-μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 was related to an increase of 0.04% (95% CI: −0.44–0.53%) in TG and decreases of 0.37% (95% CI: 0.16–0.90%) in TC, 5.76% (95% CI: 5.32–6.21%) in LDL-C, and 0.89% (95% CI: 0.72–1.05%) in HDL-C. Every 1-μg/m3 increment in PM2.5 was related with a 4% (95% CI:3–5%) and 18% (95% CI:16–20%) higher risk of dyslipidaemia and hypoalphalipoproteinemia, respectively, and a decrease of 11% (95% CI:10–13%) in hyperbetalipoproteinemia. Sex, age, and BMI were adjusted for the relationships between PM2.5, blood lipids, and dyslipidaemia.

Conclusion: Greater PM2.5 exposure was related to harmful changes in blood lipids and dyslipidaemia. Male, elderly, and overweight individuals may be more vulnerable to the negative effects of PM2.5.
The role of zinc to mitigate heavy metals toxicity in crops
Authors: Hassan Muhammad Umair , Nawaz Muhammad , Mahmood Athar , Shah Anis Ali , Shah Adnan Noor , Muhammad Faran , Batool Maria , Rasheed Adnan , Jaremko Mariusz , Abdelsalam Nader R. , Hasan Mohamed E. , Qari Sameer H.
Published: October 2022

Heavy metal (HM) contamination is a serious concern across the globe, and in recent times, HMs’ intensity has significantly increased, posing a serious threat to crop growth and productivity. Heavy metals pose serious health issues in humans by entering the human food chains. Therefore, it is direly needed to reduce the effects of HMs on plants and humans by adapting appropriate practices. In this context, application of micronutrients can be an essential practice to mitigate the toxic effects of HMs. Zinc (Zn) is a crucial nutrient needed for plant growth, and Zn application reduced the HM-induced toxicity in plants. This review highlights Zn’s role in mitigating the HMs toxicity in plants. We have systematically described the potential mechanisms mediated by Zn to mitigate HMs in plants. Zinc application reduced the HMs uptake and translocation plants, which is considered an essential mechanism of HM stress tolerance. Zn application also improves membrane stability, plant water relationship, nutrient uptake, photosynthetic performance, osmolytes accumulation, anti-oxidant activities, and gene expression. In addition to this, the Zn application substantially improves photosynthesis by enhancing the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments, photosystem activities, enzymatic activities, and maintaining photosynthetic apparatus structure, ensuring better growth under HM stress. Therefore, Zn nutrition could improve the plant performance under HM stress by modulating the plant’s physiological and biochemical functioning, anti-oxidant activities, osmolytes accumulation, and gene expression.
Antecedent climatic conditions spanning several years influence multiple land-surface phenology events in semi-arid environments
Authors: Wood David J. A. , Stoy Paul C. , Powell Scott L. , Beever Erik A.
Published: October 2022

Ecological processes are complex, often exhibiting non-linear, interactive, or hierarchical relationships. Furthermore, models identifying drivers of phenology are constrained by uncertainty regarding predictors, interactions across scales, and legacy impacts of prior climate conditions. Nonetheless, measuring and modeling ecosystem processes such as phenology remains critical for management of ecological systems and the social systems they support. We used random forest models to assess which combination of climate, location, edaphic, vegetation composition, and disturbance variables best predict several phenological responses in three dominant land cover types in the U.S. Northwestern Great Plains (NWP). We derived phenological measures from the 25-year series of AVHRR satellite data and characterized climatic predictors (i.e., multiple moisture and/or temperature based variables) over seasonal and annual timeframes within the current year and up to 4 years prior. We found that antecedent conditions, from seasons to years before the current, were strongly associated with phenological measures, apparently mediating the responses of communities to current-year conditions. For example, at least one measure of antecedent-moisture availability [precipitation or vapor pressure deficit (VPD)] over multiple years was a key predictor of all productivity measures. Variables including longer-term lags or prior year sums, such as multi-year-cumulative moisture conditions of maximum VPD, were top predictors for start of season. Productivity measures were also associated with contextual variables such as soil characteristics and vegetation composition. Phenology is a key process that profoundly affects organism-environment relationships, spatio-temporal patterns in ecosystem structure and function, and other ecosystem dynamics. Phenology, however, is complex, and is mediated by lagged effects, interactions, and a diversity of potential drivers; nonetheless, the incorporation of antecedent conditions and contextual variables can improve models of phenology.
Canopy light distribution effects on light use efficiency in wheat and its mechanism
Authors: Zhang Jie , Zhang Zhiyong , Neng Furong , Xiong Shuping , Wei Yihao , Cao Rui , Wei Qiongru , Ma Xinming , Wang Xiaochun
Published: October 2022

Optimizing canopy light distribution (CLD) has manifested improved light utility and yield without modifying other inputs. Nonetheless, molecular mechanisms working at cellular and organelle level remain to be elucidated. The current study aimed to assess the effect of CLD on photosynthetic performance and yield of wheat, and to investigate into the molecular mechanism underlying the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)–use efficiency (PUE) at optimized CLD. Wheat was planted in two rows having different spacing [R1 (15 cm) and R2 (25 cm)] to simulate different CLD. Flag and penultimate leaves were subjected to chloroplast proteomics analysis. An increase in row spacing positively affects CLD. A decrease (16.64%) of PAR interception in the upper layer, an increase (19.76%) in the middle layer, improved PUE (12.08%), and increased yield (9.38%) were recorded. The abundance of proteins associated with photosynthetic electron transport, redox state, and carbon-nitrogen assimilation was differentially altered by CLD optimization. In the penultimate leaves, R2 reduced the abundance of photosystem II (PSII) light-harvesting proteins, PSII-subunits, and increased the photosystem I (PSI) light-harvesting proteins, NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase (NQO) and enzymes involved in carbon assimilation compared to R1. Additionally, leaf stomatal conductance increased. Altogether, these findings demonstrated that the regulation of chloroplast proteome is intimately linked to light utilization, which provide basis for genetic manipulation of crop species for better adaptation and improvement of cultivation strategies.
Extreme climate and crime: Empirical evidence based on 129 prefecture-level cities in China
Authors: Peng Jiquan , Zhan Zhijun
Published: October 2022

Climate change is having profound effects on natural and socio-economic systems, especially via extreme climate events. Using panel data from 129 prefectural-level cities in China from 2013 to 2019, this paper explores the effects of extreme climate on crime rates based on a climate index and manual collection of crime data. The results showed that extreme climate has a significant positive effect on crime rates, increasing by 0.035% for every 1% increase in the extreme climate index. This occurs through two mechanistic pathways: reduced agricultural output and lower employment income. The heterogeneity analysis shows that extreme climate has a greater impact on crime rates in eastern areas which are economically developed and have high levels of immigration. This study provides new perspectives on the impact of extreme climate on the economy and society, in which governments can actively participate in climate governance through environmental protection, energy conservation and emission reduction, and technological innovation to reduce crime rates by reducing the occurrence of extreme climate.
Seasonality can affect ecological interactions between fishes of different thermal guilds
Authors: Bloomfield Emma J. , Guzzo Matthew M. , Middel Trevor A. , Ridgway Mark S. , McMeans Bailey C.
Published: October 2022

Seasonality could play a crucial role in structuring species interactions. For example, many ectotherms alter their activity, habitat, and diet in response to seasonal temperature variation. Species also vary widely in physiological traits, like thermal preference, which may mediate their response to seasonal variation. How behavioral responses to seasonality differ between competing species and alter their overlap along multiple niche axes in space and time, remains understudied. Here, we used bulk carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes combined with stomach content analysis to determine the seasonal diet overlap between a native cold-water species [lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush)] and a range-expanding warm-water species [smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu)] in two north-temperate lakes over 2 years. We coupled these analyses with fine-scale acoustic telemetry from one of the lakes to determine seasonal overlap in habitat use and activity levels. We found that dietary niche overlap was higher in the spring, when both species were active and using more littoral resources, compared to the summer, when the cold-water lake trout increased their reliance on pelagic resources. Telemetry data revealed that activity rates diverged in the winter, when lake trout remained active, but the warm-water smallmouth bass reduced their activity. Combining stable isotopes and stomach contents with acoustic telemetry was a powerful approach for demonstrating that species interactions are temporally and spatially dynamic. In our case, the study species diverged in their diet, habitat, and activity more strongly during certain times of the year than others, in ways that were consistent with their thermal preferences. Despite large differences in thermal preference, however, there were times of year when both species were active and sharing a common habitat and prey source (i.e., resource overlap was greater in spring than summer). Based on our findings, important ecological processes are occurring during all seasons, which would be missed by summer sampling alone. Our study stresses that quantifying multiple niche axes in both space and time is important for understanding the possible outcomes of altered seasonal conditions, including shorter winters, already arising under a changing climate.
Genetic diversity of juçara palm: An alternative for selection and conservation in cash crop for fruit production
Authors: Mengarda Liana Hilda Golin , Canal Guilherme Bravim , Carvalho Marina Santos , Ferreira Adésio , Ferreira Marcia Flores da Silva
Published: October 2022

The diversity of juçara palm (Euterpe edulis) must be investigated at the molecular level to enable the adoption of appropriate management strategies that may associate breeding studies with conservation. With the aim of describing the genetic diversity and structure of a population ofE. edulisin a commercial plantation area, the genotyping of 199 individuals was performed using nine nuclear microsatellite markers. We detected inbreeding in the population and the diversity within the plots was high showing diversity among the individuals. The individuals from matrices germplasm of the locality Santa Marta, were divergent. The diversity indices observed in the studied population were close to those reported in the literature for natural populations; thus, theex situconservation of the population in this managed is feasible, as is their potential use in breeding studies.
Recent advances and challenges of rare variant association analysis in the biobank sequencing era
Authors: Chen Wenan , Coombes Brandon J. , Larson Nicholas B.
Published: October 2022

Causal variants for rare genetic diseases are often rare in the general population. Rare variants may also contribute to common complex traits and can have much larger per-allele effect sizes than common variants, although power to detect these associations can be limited. Sequencing costs have steadily declined with technological advancements, making it feasible to adopt whole-exome and whole-genome profiling for large biobank-scale sample sizes. These large amounts of sequencing data provide both opportunities and challenges for rare-variant association analysis. Herein, we review the basic concepts of rare-variant analysis methods, the current state-of-the-art methods in utilizing variant annotations or external controls to improve the statistical power, and particular challenges facing rare variant analysis such as accounting for population structure, extremely unbalanced case-control design. We also review recent advances and challenges in rare variant analysis for familial sequencing data and for more complex phenotypes such as survival data. Finally, we discuss other potential directions for further methodology investigation.
Relative specificity as an important consideration in the big data era
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxiao , Zeng Yan
Published: October 2022

Technological breakthroughs such as high-throughput methods, genomics, single-cell studies, and machine learning have fundamentally transformed research and ushered in the big data era of biology. Nevertheless, current data collections, analyses, and modeling frequently overlook relative specificity, a crucial property of molecular interactions in biochemical systems. Relative specificity describes how, for example, an enzyme reacts with its many substrates at different rates, and how this discriminatory action alone is sufficient to modulate the substrates and downstream events. As a corollary, it is not only important to comprehensively identify an enzyme’s substrates, but also critical to quantitatively determine how the enzyme interacts with the substrates and to evaluate how it shapes subsequent biological outcomes. Genomics and high-throughput techniques have greatly facilitated the studies of relative specificity in the 21st century, and its functional significance has been demonstrated in complex biochemical systems including transcription, translation, protein kinases, RNA-binding proteins, and animal microRNAs (miRNAs), although it remains ignored in most work. Here we analyze recent findings in big data and relative specificity studies and explain how the incorporation of relative specificity concept might enhance our mechanistic understanding of gene functions, biological phenomena, and human diseases.