bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public Library Digital Competency Mapping 2019: A Survey on Digital Skills of Library Professionals With Different Qualifications
Authors: Borbély Mária
Published: June 2022

Social science researchers rarely can repeat a representative empirical study on an essentially identical sample in a relatively short time; to confirm the validity or, on the contrary, the invalidity of initial results. In the framework of the EFOP-3.3.3-VEKOP-16-2016-00001 “Museum and Library Development for All” grant scheme in Hungary, the flagship project “My Library,” implemented under the auspices of the Szabó Ervin Library in Budapest, allowed for two surveys to be conducted 2 years apart to assess the digital competence status of library professionals working in public libraries. This study seeks to answer the question of the impact of different educational levels on digital competence levels. Furthermore, it asks whether the results of the 2019 survey confirm the finding from 2017 that a higher education librarian degree, the librarian diploma, has a strong competence-increasing effect on each of the digital competence areas. Both studies are representative of the Hungarian public library sector. In the 2017 survey, 1,786 library professionals from different municipal libraries participated and in the 2019 survey, 1,868. As a result of the survey, an extremely rich data set is available, which allows for an accurate understanding of the digital skills of library professionals and the identification of areas for improvement or even the organization of targeted professional training.
The Effect of BMI, Age, Gender, and Pubertal Stage on Bone Turnover Markers in Chinese Children and Adolescents
Authors: Cao Bingyan , Liu Meijuan , Luo Qipeng , Wang Qiao , Liu Min , Liang Xuejun , Wu Di , Li Wenjing , Su Chang , Chen Jiajia , Gong Chunxiu
Published: June 2022

Objectives

To ascertain the associations of serum bone turnover markers (BTMs) levels with body mass index (BMI) in Chinese children and adolescents, and whether the influence of BMI, age, pubertal stage on BTMs varied by gender.

Methods

A total of 500 students (180 controls and 320 children and adolescents with overweight/obesity) aged 9–14 years were randomly selected from the Chinese National Survey on Students Constitution and Health Cohort. Serum levels of BTMs, including bone formation marker bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), collagen type 1 C-terminal propeptide (CICP), and bone resorption markers C-terminal telopeptide of type-I collagen (CTX) were determined by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The associations among BMI, age, gender, pubertal stage, and BTMs were analyzed.

Results

Serum levels of CICP and CTX in overweight/obese children and adolescents were lower than those in controls (p<0.05). Moreover, after subgroup analysis stratified by gender, the decreased serum CICP and CTX levels in overweight/obese children and adolescents were observed only in boys (p<0.05). After adjustment of age and pubertal stage, there was a negative correlation between serum BAP and BMI in both boys and girls (p<0.05). However, the correlations between serum CICP, CTX levels, and BMI were significant in boys but not in girls. Serum BAP and CICP levels were independently correlated with BMI, age, gender, and pubertal stage, while CTX levels were independently correlated with BMI, age, and gender (p<0.05). BAP, CICP, and CTX levels showed a clear age, gender, and pubertal stage dependence with significantly higher values in boys (p<0.05).

Conclusions

Our findings support the associations between serum BTMs levels and BMI in Chinese children and adolescents, and suggest age, gender, and pubertal stage differences in this relationship that warrant future studies.
A Genome-Wide Association Study of Prediabetes Status Change
Authors: Liu Tingting , Li Hongjin , Conley Yvette P. , Primack Brian A. , Wang Jing , Lo Wen-Juo , Li Changwei
Published: June 2022

We conducted the first genome-wide association study of prediabetes status change (to diabetes or normal glycaemia) among 900 White participants of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based analysis was performed by logistic regression models, controlling for age, gender, body mass index, and the first 3 genetic principal components. Gene-based analysis was conducted by combining SNP-based p values using effective Chi-square test method. Promising SNPs (p < 1×10-5) and genes (p < 1×10-4) were further evaluated for replication among 514 White participants of the Framingham Heart Study (FHS). To accommodate familial correlations, generalized estimation equation models were applied for SNP-based analyses in the FHS. Analysis results across ARIC and FHS were combined using inverse-variance-weighted meta-analysis method for SNPs and Fisher’s method for genes. We robustly identified 5 novel genes that are associated with prediabetes status change using gene-based analyses, including SGCZ (ARIC p = 9.93×10-6, FHS p = 2.00×10-3, Meta p = 3.72×10-7) at 8p22, HPSE2 (ARIC p = 8.26×10-19, FHS p = 5.85×10-3, Meta p < 8.26×10-19) at 10q24.2, ADGRA1 (ARIC p = 1.34×10-5, FHS p = 1.13×10-3, Meta p = 2.88×10-7) at 10q26.3, GLB1L3 (ARIC p = 3.71×10-6, FHS p = 4.51×10-3, Meta p = 3.16×10-7) at 11q25, and PCSK6 (ARIC p = 6.51×10-6, FHS p = 1.10×10-2, Meta p = 1.25×10-6) at 15q26.3. eQTL analysis indicated that these genes were highly expressed in tissues related to diabetes development. However, we were not able to identify any novel locus in single SNP-based analysis. Future large scale genomic studies of prediabetes status change are warranted.
Investigating the Impact of Climate Change Mitigation Technology on the Transport Sector CO2 Emissions: Evidence From Panel Quantile Regression
Authors: Bhowmik Roni , Rahut Dil Bahadur , Syed Qasim Raza
Published: June 2022

Carbon emissions from the transport sector (COE) has witnessed unprecedented growth, which calls for special measures to control these emissions to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. One of the measures taken to limit these emissions is climate change mitigation technology related to the transport sector (CCMT). However, there exists relatively scant literature that explores the CCMT-COE nexus. Hence, the present study explores whether CCMT curbs COE in the top transport sector carbon-emitting countries. For this purpose, we employ a panel quantile regression (PQR) approach, which probes the impact of CCMT on COE in low-, middle, and high-emission countries. The result shows that CCMT does not affect COE at the lowest quantile (i.e., 10th quantile) while CCMT plunges the emissions at all other quantiles. In particular, a 1% increase in CCMT curbs COE by 0.13% at the 25th, 50th, and 75th quantile, while a 1% upsurge in CCMT impedes COE by 0.22% at the 90th quantile. In the light of these findings, the carbon policy in the transport sector should invest in climate change mitigating technology in the transport sector and scale it up and out.
The Global Health Security Index: Another Look
Authors: Goldschmidt Peter G.
Published: June 2022

The Global Health Security Index (GHSI) was published in October 2019 (after more than 2 years in preparation); at about the same time that the COVID-19 pandemic (COVID) started. The GHSI was intended to score countries' pandemic preparedness. Within months of the start of the pandemic, articles began to be published that claimed to assess the GHSI's validity. They correlated GHSI scores with countries' COVID per capita death rates. They showed that the better prepared a country, the higher the death rate: a result that was counter to what would have been expected. This article takes another look at the GHSI by exploring the relationship in major European Union countries plus the United Kingdom. The analysis reported here confirms that early on the higher the GHSI score, the higher the COVID per capita death rate (r = 0.52, P < 0.05). But, by the end of 2020, there was no correlation. By July 2021, the correlation was in the expected direction: the higher the GHSI score, the lower the COVID per capita death rate (r = −0.55, P < 0.05); ditto case fatality rate (r = −0.74, P < 0.01). Further, the GHSI was better correlated with excess mortality, the best measure of pandemic impact (r = −0.69, P < 0.01). However, per capita GDP was as good a predictor of excess mortality (r = −0.71, P < 0.01) and the Health System Performance Index of case fatality rate (r = −0.71; P < 0.01). By the end of 2021, the correlation between GHSI scores and COVID per capita death rates had strengthened (r = −0.71; P < 0.01). This exploratory analysis is not intended to produce generalizable conclusions about the effectiveness of countries' COVID pandemic response management, which continues to evolve and hence can only be properly assessed after the pandemic has ended. Nevertheless, the following conclusions would seem to be warranted: 1) there seems to have been a rush to judge, or, at least, to publish, and 2) the validity of any forward looking pandemic preparedness score depends not only on being able to assess countries' capabilities but also being able to forecast what governments will (and will not) do in any given situation, a seemingly quixotic quest.
Altered Energy Mobilization Within the Littoral Food Web in New Habitat Created by Climate-Induced Changes in Lake Water Level
Authors: Wang Kang , Zhao Kangshun , Xiong Xiong , Zhu Huan , Ao Hongyi , Ma Kaili , Xie Zhicai , Wu Chenxi , Wang Huan , Zhang Huan , Zhang Peiyu , Xu Jun
Published: June 2022

Littoral zones in oligotrophic lakes play an essential role in supporting animal consumers and in the exchange of matter between the water body and the terrestrial sources, but are easily altered by changes in water level. We studied Qinghai Lake, a deep oligotrophic lake in northwest China, where lake water level has increased rapidly in recent years, altering the character of the littoral zones. We sampled common organisms and used stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses to compare how contributions of different sources (allochthonous and autochthonous) to the diets of consumers differed between sand (original habitat, OH) and submerged grassland (new habitat, NH) substrate habitat conditions. Our results showed that allochthonous resources (i.e., terrestrial detritus) constituted the largest diet proportion of consumers in OH due to poor nutrient conditions, while consumers in NH utilized more autochthonous resources (i.e., Cladophora and phytoplankton). We also found that terrestrial nutrient subsidies from soil and decomposed grass led to increased biomasses of Cladophora, phytoplankton, zooplankton and zoobenthos in NH compared to those in OH, accounting for autochthonous replacement of part of the allochthonous resources in NH. Therefore, hydrological conditions may alter the trophic interactions within littoral food webs, contributing to a more complex and interconnected food web. Overall, our results suggest that the littoral food webs of Qinghai Lake are vulnerable to changes in hydrological conditions, which may be enhanced by climate change.
Wildlife Trade for Belief-Based Use: Insights From Traditional Healers in South Africa
Authors: Green Jennah , Hankinson Pippa , de Waal Louise , Coulthard Emma , Norrey John , Megson David , D’Cruze Neil
Published: June 2022

The use of animals and plants as traditional remedies for medical and magico-religious purposes has a long history of socio-cultural and economic importance in South Africa. Herein, we aim to characterize the social and economic value of wild animal species used in traditional, belief-based medicine within South Africa from traditional healers’ perspective and to explore healers’ knowledge of plant-based alternatives to wildlife-based derivatives for this type of trade. Through structured surveys with five traditional healers, we sought to gain insight into the range of wild animal species used, as well as the purpose, the perceived commercial value and the perceived availability of commonly used species. Particular focus was placed on exploring the socio-economic value of lions due to their prominence within the traditional medicine market, both in South Africa and internationally. Three of the respondents interviewed had been generating an income from traditional healing for between 30 and 50 years, and the overall monetary gain across all respondents was between ZAR 30,000 (1,800 USD) and 120,000 (7,200 USD) per annum. Our study confirms that a wide range of wild animal species are used in traditional healing practices in South Africa, for both medicinal and magico-religious purposes. The traditional healers we interviewed cited 20 common wild animals from a range of vertebrate classes including birds, reptiles, mammals, and one invertebrate. These included a number of species listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Traditional healers cited 32 different uses for wild animal parts, as well as 19 alternative plant-based preparations. For lions specifically, four out of five practitioners listed lions among their top three profitable derivatives and three practitioners reported that lion had become the most rare or unavailable species in the last 5 years. Although our study is based on a limited number of interview participants, we believe that our findings provide valuable initial insights into the socio-economic drivers of traditional healing practices in South Africa, and that further research quantifying medicinal and belief-based use of wild animal ingredients and their plant-based alternatives could help to inform approaches to managing related pressures exerted on wild populations in South Africa in the future.
GDF-15 as a Therapeutic Target of Diabetic Complications Increases the Risk of Gallstone Disease: Mendelian Randomization and Polygenic Risk Score Analysis
Authors: Yu Lili , Zhou Yajing , Wang Lijuan , Zhou Xuan , Sun Jing , Xiao Jiarui , Xu Xiaolin , Larsson Susanna C. , Yuan Shuai , Li Xue
Published: June 2022

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) levels have been revealed as a robust biomarker for metformin use. We conducted Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to explore the association between GDF-15 and gallstone disease to inform potential therapeutic effects targeting GDF-15. Four genetic variants associated with GDF-15 levels at p < 5 × 10–8 were selected as instrumental variables from a genome-wide association meta-analysis including 21,758 individuals. Two-sample MR analysis was conducted using summary-level data from UK Biobank (10,520 gallstone cases and 350,674 controls) and FinnGen consortium (19,023 gallstone cases and 195,144 controls). Polygenic risk score analysis using individual-level data in UK biobank was performed to complement the MR findings by examining the non-linearity of the association. Diabetic complications were taken as positive controls to validate the therapeutic effect of targeting GDF-15. Linear and nonlinear associations between genetically predicted GDF-15 levels and gallstones were estimated with stratification by the diabetic status. In the two-sample MR analysis, the odds ratio (OR) of gallstones was 1.09 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03–1.15; p = 0.001) for one standard deviation increase in genetically predicted GDF-15 levels in the meta-analysis of two datasets. Polygenic risk score analysis found this association to be U-shaped (p = 0.037). The observed association was predominantly seen in nondiabetic population (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.01–1.21; p = 0.003). An inverse association between genetically predicted GDF-15 levels and diabetic complications (OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.62–0.96; p = 0.023) was observed, validating the potential therapeutic effects of targeting GDF-15 levels. This MR study indicates that the increased risk of gallstone disease should be taken into account when considering GDF-15 as a therapeutic target for diabetic complications.
Human Leukocyte Antigen Fine-Mapping and Correlation Analysis of Han and Minority Leprosy Patients in Southern China
Authors: Li Zhuo , Wang Yirui , Fan Wencheng , Zhang Chang , Liu Hao , Zhang Ruixue , Cao Lu , Zhen Qi , Chen Weiwei , Yu Yafen , Li Bao , Mao Yiwen , Bai Yuanming , Wang Daiyue , Luo Sihan , Li Yuanyuan , Qin Qin , Ge Huiyao , Yong Liang , Hu Xia , Yu Yanxia , Sun Liangdan
Published: June 2022

Backround: Leprosy is very prevalent in many populations around the world, which is well known that both alleles for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) as well as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the HLA region are common in leprosy patients. Previous studies have identified leprosy-associated susceptibility genes that explain only part of disease risk and heritability. In view of the complicated characteristics of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region, this study aimed to explore the development and variation of HLA in leprosy and its possible mechanism.

Methods: Previous genome-wide association data were extracted from Han and minority populations in southern China for HLA fine-mapping studies. Insertion and deletion (INDEL), SNP, and copy number variation (CNV) imputation were determined by using the Thousand People Database (1KGP Phase 3 Dataset) as a reference panel. The HAN-MHC database was used to input the HLA classical alleles and amino acids in the MHC region, and further step-regression analysis was performed to analyze independent variation signals associated with leprosy.

Results: The most significant locus rs75324027 (the same locus as rs602875 in the HLA-DR region) [p = 7.49E-09, OR= 0.62, 95%,CI: 0.52–0.73] in the intergene region between HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DRB1 was related with leprosy in M-S(Han leprosy patients in south China)disease. In M-SM (Leprosy patients of ethnic minorities in south China)disease, one of the most significant loci of the HLA-DQB1 gene was 6-32626438-A-T (p = 4.49E-08, OR = 0.36, 95%,CI: 0.25–0.52). Therefore, rs75324027 is a locus in M-S disease, and 6-32626438-a-T may be a new locus in M-SM disease. The interaction between 6 and 32626438-A-T and RS75324027 was analyzed, and A significant interaction relationship was found. In the optimal model, the accuracy of prediction was 0.5974, cross-validation Consistency:10, p = 0.0107.

Conclusion: In conclusion, this study is the first to assess the association between HLA and leprosy susceptibility in Han and other minority populations in southern China using the Thousand Population database and the Han MHC database. In addition, our analysis validated the previously reported locus rs602875 in the HLA-DR region and for the first time identified an unreported independent locus in leprosy among ethnic minorities in southern China.
Extracellular Vesicle/Macrophage Axis: Potential Targets for Inflammatory Disease Intervention
Authors: Tang Desheng , Cao Feng , Yan Changsheng , Fang Kun , Ma Jiamin , Gao Lei , Sun Bei , Wang Gang
Published: June 2022

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) can regulate the polarization of macrophages in a variety of inflammatory diseases by mediating intercellular signal transduction and affecting the occurrence and development of diseases. After macrophages are regulated by EVs, they mainly show two phenotypes: the proinflammatory M1 type and the anti-inflammatory M2 type. A large number of studies have shown that in diseases such as mastitis, inflammatory bowel disease, Acute lung injury, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, EVs promote the progression of the disease by inducing the M1-like polarization of macrophages. In diseases such as liver injury, asthma, and myocardial infarction, EVs can induce M2-like polarization of macrophages, inhibit the inflammatory response, and reduce the severity of the disease, thus indicating new pathways for treating inflammatory diseases. The EV/macrophage axis has become a potential target for inflammatory disease pathogenesis and comprehensive treatment. This article reviews the structure and function of the EV/macrophage axis and summarizes its biological functions in inflammatory diseases to provide insights for the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Non-Communicable Neurological Disorders and Neuroinflammation
Authors: Ballerini Clara , Njamnshi Alfred K. , Juliano Sharon L. , Kalaria Rajesh N. , Furlan Roberto , Akinyemi Rufus O.
Published: June 2022

Traumatic brain injury, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Africa, as in the rest of the world. Traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries specifically represent a leading cause of disability in the younger population. Stroke and neurodegenerative disorders predominantly target the elderly and are a major concern in Africa, since their rate of increase among the ageing is the fastest in the world. Neuroimmunology is usually not associated with non-communicable neurological disorders, as the role of neuroinflammation is not often considered when evaluating their cause and pathogenesis. However, substantial evidence indicates that neuroinflammation is extremely relevant in determining the consequences of non-communicable neurological disorders, both for its protective abilities as well as for its destructive capacity. We review here current knowledge on the contribution of neuroinflammation and neuroimmunology to the pathogenesis of traumatic injuries, stroke and neurodegenerative diseases, with a particular focus on problems that are already a major issue in Africa, like traumatic brain injury, and on emerging disorders such as dementias.
Regulatory Architecture of the RCA Gene Cluster Captures an Intragenic TAD Boundary, CTCF-Mediated Chromatin Looping and a Long-Range Intergenic Enhancer
Authors: Cheng Jessica , Clayton Joshua S. , Acemel Rafael D. , Zheng Ye , Taylor Rhonda L. , Keleş Sündüz , Franke Martin , Boackle Susan A. , Harley John B. , Quail Elizabeth , Gómez-Skarmeta José Luis , Ulgiati Daniela
Published: June 2022

The Regulators of Complement Activation (RCA) gene cluster comprises several tandemly arranged genes with shared functions within the immune system. RCA members, such as complement receptor 2 (CR2), are well-established susceptibility genes in complex autoimmune diseases. Altered expression of RCA genes has been demonstrated at both the functional and genetic level, but the mechanisms underlying their regulation are not fully characterised. We aimed to investigate the structural organisation of the RCA gene cluster to identify key regulatory elements that influence the expression ofCR2and other genes in this immunomodulatory region. Using 4C, we captured extensive CTCF-mediated chromatin looping across the RCA gene cluster in B cells and showed these were organised into two topologically associated domains (TADs). Interestingly, an inter-TAD boundary was located within theCR1gene at a well-characterised segmental duplication. Additionally, we mapped numerous gene-gene and gene-enhancer interactions across the region, revealing extensive co-regulation. Importantly, we identified an intergenic enhancer and functionally demonstrated this element upregulates two RCA members (CR2andCD55) in B cells. We have uncovered novel, long-range mechanisms whereby autoimmune disease susceptibility may be influenced by genetic variants, thus highlighting the important contribution of chromatin topology to gene regulation and complex genetic disease.
An Individual-Based Model to Quantify the Effect of Salinity on the Production of Apocyclops royi (Cyclopoida, Copepoda)
Authors: Yoshino Mizuki , Pan Yen-Ju , Souissi Sami , Dur Gaël
Published: June 2022

In this study, an individual-based model (IBM) was established and applied to simulate the effects of salinity variations on the productivity of a promising live feed cyclopoid copepod Apocyclops royi for aquaculture applications. The model integrates the effect of salinity on the different reproductive traits and temperature on female longevity. To calibrate the model developed on the Mobidyc platform, we collected data from previous literature and conducted complementary experiments. The model outputs on total nauplii production match the experimental results. Both showed a progressive increase in nauplii production from 0 up to 21 PSU, beyond which the production decreases. There were no significant differences between the estimated nauplii production and the observed ones for most salinity conditions. We then used the model to estimate the egg and nauplii production of a population initiated with 1,000 females along a salinity gradient from 0 to 39 PSU during 20-d cultivation. Around the optimal salinity of 21 PSU, the egg and nauplii production peaked at 1.8x105 eggs and 1.39x105 nauplii, respectively. A deviation of 7 PSU from the optimal salinity range would lead to a loss of 22 to 25% in egg and nauplii production. The results indicate that implementing the IBM into a life-cycle model provides useful tool for managing the risks of salinity variation on the copepod productivity in aquaculture conditions.
Habitat Variations of Two Commercially Valuable Species Along the Chilean Waters Under Different-Intensity El Niño Events
Authors: Feng Zhiping , Yu Wei , Zhang Yang , Li Yunkai , Chen Xinjun
Published: June 2022

The synchronous response of the spatial distribution pattern of Dosidicus gigas and Trachurus murphyi habitat along the Chilean waters to different-intensity El Niño events was examined based on the habitat suitability index (HSI) models inclusive with the key environmental factors of sea surface height anomaly (SSHA), sea surface salinity (SSS), water temperature at 400-m depth (Temp_400 m) for D. gigas, sea surface temperature (SST), mixed layer depth (MLD), Temp_400 m for T. murphyi, and Niño 1 + 2 index. Results showed that all the environmental factors except MLD were significantly correlated with the Niño 1 + 2 index. Compared with weak (WE) and moderate (ME) El Niño events, the suitable range of SSHA and SSS for D. gigas decreased, resulting in a decreased suitable habitat area and increased poor habitat area during the strong (SE) El Niño years. In space, the suitable habitat of D. gigas was mainly distributed in north-central Chile with an east–west strip pattern; it decreased significantly in the northwestern waters off Chile and moved southwestward under SE El Niño events. For T. murphyi, the ME El Niño events yielded a contracted suitable range of water temperature and MLD decreased, consequently leading to a decreased suitable habitat area and increased poor habitat area of T. murphyi compared to WE and SE El Niño events. The suitable habitat of T. murphyi was mainly distributed in the 42°–47°S area and varied non-significantly during the WE and SE El Niño events; however, it clearly decreased in the southwest area of Chile and shifted northeastward under ME El Niño events. Our results indicated that El Niño events with different intensities strongly affected the habitat pattern of D. gigas and T. murphyi off Chile by changing the regional marine environment.
Outcomes of Transferred Adult Venovenous and Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Patients: A Single Center Experience
Authors: Zhao Yang-Chao , Zhao Xi , Fu Guo-Wei , Huang Ming-Jun , Zhao Hui , Wang Zhen-Qing , Li Xing-Xing , Li Jun
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients with or without transport both have high hospital mortality rate and there are few data on adult VA-ECMO transport patients. Hence, this study was designed to analyze factors that affect the outcomes of patients with ECMO transport.

Methods

This study retrospectively enrolled 126 ECMO patients transferred from regional hospital to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University by our ECMO team during June 2012 to Sept 2020. Data were calculated and analyzed.

Results

The median distance of transportation was 141 (76–228) km, the median transport time consuming was 3 (1.3–4) h, the percentage of complications during transport was 40.5% (except for bleeding on cannula site, and no one death during transport), and the survival rate in hospital was 38.9%. Compared with survivors, the non-survivors were older and showed higher SOFA score, longer time with ECMO assisted, longer time in ICU and in hospital. However, after divided into VA-ECMO and VV-ECMO groups, the older age showed no significant difference between survivors and non-survivors groups of VA-ECMO patients. Moreover, the Cox regression survival analysis showed that higher SOFA score and lactate level indicated higher ICU mortality of VA-ECMO patients while higher SOFA score, higher lactate level, older age and lower MAP after transportation (<70mmHg) indicated higher ICU mortality of VV-ECMO patients. However, there was no significant difference of comorbidities and complications in survivors and non-survivors groups of ECMO patients.

Conclusions

The transportation for ECMO patients can be feasible performed although life-threatening complications might occur. The SOFA score and the lactate level could be used to evaluate the risk of ICU mortality of transportation ECMO patients. Besides, lower MAP after transportation (<70mmHg) had potential predictive value for short-term outcome of VV-ECMO patients.
SPD_0090 Negatively Contributes to Virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Cao Linlin , Li Nan , Dong Yingshan , Yang Xiao-Yan , Liu Jiajia , He Qing-Yu , Ge Ruiguang , Sun Xuesong
Published: June 2022

In most bacteria, iron plays an important role in the survival of bacteria and the process of infection to the host. Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) evolved three iron transporters (i.e., PiaABC, PiuABC, and PitABC) responsible for the transportation of three kinds of iron (i.e., ferrichrome, hemin, and ferric ion). Our previous study showed that both mRNA and protein levels of SPD_0090 were significantly upregulated in the ΔpiuA/ΔpiaA/ΔpitA triple mutant, but its detailed biological function is unknown. In this study, we constructed spd_0090 knockout and complement strain and found that the deletion of spd_0090 hinders bacterial growth. SPD_0090 is located on the cell membrane and affects the hemin utilization ability of S. pneumoniae. The cell infection model showed that the knockout strain had stronger invasion and adhesion ability. Notably, knockout of the spd_0090 gene resulted in an enhanced infection ability of S. pneumoniae in mice by increasing the expression of virulence factors. Furthermore, iTRAQ quantitative proteomics studies showed that the knockout of spd_0090 inhibited carbon metabolism and thus suppressed bacterial growth. Our study showed that SPD_0090 negatively regulates the virulence of S. pneumoniae.
Comparative Genomic Analyses Provide Insight Into the Pathogenicity of Metschnikowia bicuspidata LNES0119
Authors: Jiang Hongbo , Bao Jie , Xing Yuenan , Li Xiaodong , Chen Qijun
Published: June 2022

Metschnikowia bicuspidata is a globally distributed pathogenic yeast with a wide range of aquatic hosts. A new strain, M. bicuspidata LNES0119, isolated from the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis, has caused a serious reduction in production and marked economic loss for the aquaculture industry in China. Therefore, the whole-genome sequence of M. bicuspidata LNES0119 was sequenced using Illumina and Oxford Nanopore technology; whole-genome annotation and comparative genomic analyses of this pathogen were performed as well. A high-quality genome of M. bicuspidata LNES0119 was 16.13 Mb in size, with six scaffolds and six contigs, and encoded 5,567 putative predicted genes. Of these, 1,467 genes shared substantial homology with genes in the pathogen–host interactions database. Comparative genomic analyses of three M. bicuspidata strains and one non-pathogenic yeast, M. aff. pulcherrima, showed 331 unique genes in M. bicuspidata LNES0119, 30 of which were putatively related to pathogenicity. Overall, we identified several meaningful characteristics related to pathogenicity and virulence that may play essential roles in the infection and pathogenicity of M. bicuspidata LNES0119. Our study will aid in identifying potential targets for further exploration of the molecular basis of the pathogenicity of M. bicuspidata as well as the therapeutic intervention of M. bicuspidata infection.
β-Hydroxybutyrate in Cardiovascular Diseases : A Minor Metabolite of Great Expectations
Authors: Wei Shao , Binbin Liu , Yuan Wu , Zhong Zhang , Donghai Lin , Caihua Huang
Published: June 2022

Despite recent advances in therapies, cardiovascular diseases ( CVDs ) are still the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Previous studies have shown that metabolic perturbations in cardiac energy metabolism are closely associated with the progression of CVDs. As expected, metabolic interventions can be applied to alleviate metabolic impairments and, therefore, can be used to develop therapeutic strategies for CVDs. β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB) was once known to be a harmful and toxic metabolite leading to ketoacidosis in diabetes. However, the minor metabolite is increasingly recognized as a multifunctional molecular marker in CVDs. Although the protective role of β-HB in cardiovascular disease is controversial, increasing evidence from experimental and clinical research has shown that β-HB can be a “super fuel” and a signaling metabolite with beneficial effects on vascular and cardiac dysfunction. The tremendous potential of β-HB in the treatment of CVDs has attracted many interests of researchers. This study reviews the research progress of β-HB in CVDs and aims to provide a theoretical basis for exploiting the potential of β-HB in cardiovascular therapies.
Biomarker Assessment of Homologous Recombination Deficiency in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: Association With Progression-Free Survival After Surgery
Authors: Yi Huan , Li Linhong , Huang Jimiao , Ma Zhiming , Li Hongping , Chen Jian , Zheng Xiangqin , Chen Jingjing , He Haixin , Song Jianrong
Published: June 2022

Identifying BRCA mutations and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) is the key to choosing patients for poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor (PARPi) therapy. At present, a large amount of research focuses on the application of HRD detection in ovarian cancer. However, few studies have discussed the relationship between HRD detection and postoperative survival in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). This study included 38 consecutive patients with EOC who underwent cytoreduction surgery. Owing to tissue availability, only 29 patients underwent molecular profiling and survival analysis. Overall, 21 (72.4%) tumors had HRD scores of ≥42. Mutations in BRCA were observed in 5/29 (17.2%) patients. In this cohort, an HRD score of ≥42 was more common in serous ovarian tumors. We found no statistically significant association between homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes and HRD scores except for tumor protein P53 (TP53) mutation. We also found a strong positive association between HRD scores and chromosomal instability (CIN). In the survival analysis, an HRD score of >23 was correlated with better postoperative progression-free survival (pPFS). With increased depth of research, an appropriate HRD score threshold may serve as a prognostic tool and should be assessed in future studies to predict the clinical value of PARPi.
The Novel Regulatory Role of the lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA Axis in Chronic Inflammatory Airway Diseases
Authors: Qiao Xin , Hou Gang , He Yu-Lin , Song Dong-Fang , An Yi , Altawil Abdullah , Zhou Xiao-Ming , Wang Qiu-Yue , Kang Jian , Yin Yan
Published: June 2022

Chronic inflammatory airway diseases, characterized by airway inflammation and airway remodelling, are increasing as a cause of morbidity and mortality for all age groups and races across the world. The underlying molecular mechanisms involved in chronic inflammatory airway diseases have not been fully explored. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently attracted much attention for their roles in the regulation of a variety of biological processes. A number of studies have confirmed that both lncRNAs and miRNAs can regulate the initiation and progression of chronic airway diseases by targeting mRNAs and regulating different cellular processes, such as proliferation, apoptosis, inflammation, migration, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Recently, accumulative evidence has shown that the novel regulatory mechanism underlying the interaction among lncRNAs, miRNAs and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) plays a critical role in the pathophysiological processes of chronic inflammatory airway diseases. In this review, we comprehensively summarized the regulatory roles of the lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA network in different cell types and their potential roles as biomarkers, indicators of comorbidities or therapeutic targets for chronic inflammatory airway diseases, particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.
A Multi-Atlas-Based [18F]9-Fluoropropyl-(+)-Dihydrotetrabenazine Positron Emission Tomography Image Segmentation Method for Parkinson’s Disease Quantification
Authors: Pan Yiwei , Liu Shuying , Zeng Yao , Ye Chenfei , Qiao Hongwen , Song Tianbing , Lv Haiyan , Chan Piu , Lu Jie , Ma Ting
Published: June 2022

Objectives

[18F]9-fluoropropyl-(+)-dihydrotetrabenazine ([18F]-FP-DTBZ) positron emission tomography (PET) provides reliable information for the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). In this study, we proposed a multi-atlas-based [18F]-FP-DTBZ PET image segmentation method for PD quantification assessment.

Methods

A total of 99 subjects from Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University were included in this study, and both brain PET and magnetic resonance (MR) scans were conducted. Data from 20 subjects were used to generate atlases, based on which a multi-atlas-based [18F]-FP-DTBZ PET segmentation method was developed especially for striatum and its subregions. The proposed method was compared with the template-based method through striatal subregion parcellation performance and the standard uptake value ratio (SUVR) quantification accuracy. Discriminant analysis between healthy controls (HCs) and PD patients was further performed.

Results

Segmentation results of the multi-atlas-based method showed better consistency than the template-based method with the ground truth, yielding a dice coefficient of 0.81 over 0.73 on the full striatum. The SUVRs calculated by the multi-atlas-based method had an average interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.953 with the standardized result, whereas the template-based method only reached 0.815. The SUVRs of HCs were generally higher than that of patients with PD and showed significant differences in all of the striatal subregions (all p < 0.001). The median and posterior putamen performed best in discriminating patients with PD from HCs.

Conclusion

The proposed multi-atlas-based [18F]-FP-DTBZ PET image segmentation method achieved better performance than the template-based method, indicating great potential in improving accuracy and efficiency for PD diagnosis in clinical routine.
Recognition and Classification of Ship Images Based on SMS-PCNN Model
Authors: Wang Fengxiang , Liang Huang , Zhang Yalun , Xu Qingxia , Zong Ruirui
Published: June 2022

In the field of ship image recognition and classification, traditional algorithms lack attention to the differences between the grain of ship images. The differences in the hull structure of different categories of ships are reflected in the coarse-grain, whereas the differences in the ship equipment and superstructures of different ships of the same category are reflected in the fine-grain. To extract the ship features of different scales, the multi-scale paralleling CNN oriented on ships images (SMS-PCNN) model is proposed in this paper. This model has three characteristics. (1) Extracting image features of different sizes by parallelizing convolutional branches with different receptive fields. (2) The number of channels of the model is adjusted two times to extract features and eliminate redundant information. (3) The residual connection network is used to extend the network depth and mitigate the gradient disappearance. In this paper, we collected open-source images on the Internet to form an experimental dataset and conduct performance tests. The results show that the SMS-PCNN model proposed in this paper achieves 84.79% accuracy on the dataset, which is better than the existing four state-of-the-art approaches. By the ablation experiments, the effectiveness of the optimization tricks used in the model is verified.
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Application and Its Therapeutic Mechanisms in Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Yang Guoqiang , Fan Xuehui , Mazhar Maryam , Yang Sijin , Xu Houping , Dechsupa Nathupakorn , Wang Li
Published: June 2022

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), a common lethal subtype of stroke accounting for nearly 10–15% of the total stroke disease and affecting two million people worldwide, has a high mortality and disability rate and, thus, a major socioeconomic burden. However, there is no effective treatment available currently. The role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in regenerative medicine is well known owing to the simplicity of acquisition from various sources, low immunogenicity, adaptation to the autogenic and allogeneic systems, immunomodulation, self-recovery by secreting extracellular vesicles (EVs), regenerative repair, and antioxidative stress. MSC therapy provides an increasingly attractive therapeutic approach for ICH. Recently, the functions of MSCs such as neuroprotection, anti-inflammation, and improvement in synaptic plasticity have been widely researched in human and rodent models of ICH. MSC transplantation has been proven to improve ICH-induced injury, including the damage of nerve cells and oligodendrocytes, the activation of microglia and astrocytes, and the destruction of blood vessels. The improvement and recovery of neurological functions in rodent ICH models were demonstrated via the mechanisms such as neurogenesis, angiogenesis, anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, and synaptic plasticity. Here, we discuss the pathological mechanisms following ICH and the therapeutic mechanisms of MSC-based therapy to unravel new cues for future therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, some potential strategies for enhancing the therapeutic function of MSC transplantation have also been suggested.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy as a Preventable Environmental Disease
Authors: Buckland Michael E. , Affleck Andrew J. , Pearce Alan J. , Suter Catherine M.
Published: June 2022

In this Perspective we explore the evolution of our understanding of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and its relationship with repetitive head injury. As with many neurodegenerative conditions, there is an imperfect correspondence between neuropathology and clinical phenotype, but unlike other neurodegenerative diseases, CTE has a discrete and easily modifiable risk factor: exposure to repetitive head injury. Consequently, evaluation of the evidence regarding exposure to repetitive head injury and CTE risk should be undertaken using public or occupational health frameworks of medical knowledge. The current debate over the existence of CTE as a disease of concern is fuelled in part by immediate medico-legal considerations, and the involvement of high-profile athletes, with inevitable media interest. Moving beyond this debate has significant potential to address and reduce disease impact in the near future, and provide novel insights into mechanisms underlying abnormal protein accumulation in CTE and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Different Frequency of Heschl’s Gyrus Duplication Patterns in Neuropsychiatric Disorders: An MRI Study in Bipolar and Major Depressive Disorders
Authors: Takahashi Tsutomu , Sasabayashi Daiki , Yücel Murat , Whittle Sarah , Lorenzetti Valentina , Walterfang Mark , Suzuki Michio , Pantelis Christos , Malhi Gin S. , Allen Nicholas B.
Published: June 2022

An increased prevalence of duplicated Heschl’s gyrus (HG) has been repeatedly demonstrated in various stages of schizophrenia as a potential neurodevelopmental marker, but it remains unknown whether other neuropsychiatric disorders also exhibit this macroscopic brain feature. The present magnetic resonance imaging study aimed to examine the disease specificity of the established finding of altered HG patterns in schizophrenia by examining independent cohorts of bipolar disorder (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Twenty-six BD patients had a significantly higher prevalence of HG duplication bilaterally compared to 24 age- and sex-matched controls, while their clinical characteristics (e.g., onset age, number of episodes, and medication) did not relate to HG patterns. No significant difference was found for the HG patterns between 56 MDD patients and 33 age- and sex-matched controls, but the patients with a single HG were characterized by more severe depressive/anxiety symptoms compared to those with a duplicated HG. Thus, in keeping with previous findings, the present study suggests that neurodevelopmental pathology associated with gyral formation of the HG during the late gestation period partly overlaps between schizophrenia and BD, but that HG patterns may make a somewhat distinct contribution to the phenomenology of MDD.
Probabilistic Decision-Making in Children With Dyslexia
Authors: Pereira Christa L. Watson , Zhou Ran , Pitt Mark A. , Myung Jay I. , Rossi P. Justin , Caverzasi Eduardo , Rah Esther , Allen Isabel E. , Mandelli Maria Luisa , Meyer Marita , Miller Zachary A. , Gorno Tempini Maria Luisa
Published: June 2022

Background

Neurocognitive mechanisms underlying developmental dyslexia (dD) remain poorly characterized apart from phonological and/or visual processing deficits. Assuming such deficits, the process of learning complex tasks like reading requires the learner to make decisions (i.e., word pronunciation) based on uncertain information (e.g., aberrant phonological percepts)—a cognitive process known as probabilistic decision making, which has been linked to the striatum. We investigate (1) the relationship between dD and probabilistic decision-making and (2) the association between the volume of striatal structures and probabilistic decision-making in dD and typical readers.

Methods

Twenty four children diagnosed with dD underwent a comprehensive evaluation and MRI scanning (3T). Children with dD were compared to age-matched typical readers (n = 11) on a probabilistic, risk/reward fishing task that utilized a Bayesian cognitive model with game parameters of risk propensity (γ+) and behavioral consistency (β), as well as an overall adjusted score (average number of casts, excluding forced-fail trials). Volumes of striatal structures (caudate, putamen, and nucleus accumbens) were analyzed between groups and associated with game parameters.

Results

dD was associated with greater risk propensity and decreased behavioral consistency estimates compared to typical readers. Cognitive model parameters associated with timed pseudoword reading across groups. Risk propensity related to caudate volumes, particularly in the dD group.

Conclusion

Decision-making processes differentiate dD, associate with the caudate, and may impact learning mechanisms. This study suggests the need for further research into domain-general probabilistic decision-making in dD, neurocognitive mechanisms, and targeted interventions in dD.