bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal tributyrin supplementation in late pregnancy and lactation improves offspring immunity, gut microbiota, and diarrhea rate in a sow model
Authors: Lin Yan , Li Dan , Ma Zhao , Che Lianqiang , Feng Bin , Fang Zhengfeng , Xu Shengyu , Zhuo Yong , Li Jian , Hua Lun , Wu De , Zhang Junjie , Wang Yuanxiao
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Several studies have evaluated the effects of tributyrin on sow reproductive performance; however, none of these studies have investigated the effects of tributyrin on sow gut microbiota and its potential interactions with immune systems and milk composition. Therefore, we speculated that tributyrin, the combination of butyrate and mono-butyrin without odor, would reach the hindgut and affect the intestinal microbiota composition and play a better role in regulating sow reproductive performance, gut flora, and health.

Methods

Thirty sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly divided into two groups: the control group (CON) and the tributyrin group (TB), which received basal diet supplemented with 0.05% tributyrin. The experimental period lasted for 35 days from late pregnancy to lactation.

Results

The results showed that TB supplementation significantly shortened the total parturition time and reduced the diarrhea rate in suckling piglets. On day 20 of lactation, the milk fat and protein levels increased by 9 and 4%, respectively. TB supplementation significantly improved the digestibility of dry material, gross energy, and crude fat in the sow diet, but had no significant effect on crude protein digestibility. Furthermore, TB supplementation increased the levels of IL-10, IL-6, and IgA in the blood of weaned piglets, but had no effect on maternal immunity. Analysis of the fecal microbial composition revealed that the addition of TB during late gestation and lactation increased the microbiota diversity in sows and piglets. At the phylum level, sows in the TB group had a slight increase in the relative abundance of Bacteroidota and Spirochaetota and a decrease in Firmicutes. At the order level, the relative abundance of Lactobacillales was increased in piglets and sows, and the TB group showed increased relative abundance of Enterobacterales and significantly decreased relative abundance of Oscillospirales in piglets. At family level, the relative abundance of Lactobacillaceae, Oscillospiraceae, and Christensenellaceae increased in sows, and the relative abundance of Enterobacteriaceae and Lactobacillaceae increased in piglets. At genus level, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus increased in sows and piglets, but the relative abundance of Subdoligranulum and Eubacterium_fissicatena_group decreased in piglets in the TB group.

Discussion

In conclusion, tributyrin supplementation shortened the farrowing duration and reduced the diarrhea rate of piglets by improving the inflammatory response and composition of gut microbiota in piglets and sows.
The dependent correlation between soil multifunctionality and bacterial community across different farmland soils
Authors: Liu Jing , Gul Wazir Zafran , Hou Guo-Qin , Wang Gui-Zhen , Rong Fang-Xu , Xu Yu-Zhi , Liu Kai , Li Ming-Yue , Liu Ai-Ju , Liu Hong-Liang
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Microorganisms play a critical role in soil biogeochemical cycles, but it is still debated whether they influence soil biogeochemical processes through community composition and diversity or not. This study aims to investigate variation in bacterial community structure across different soils and its correlation to soil multifunctionality. Soil samples were collected from five typical farmland zones along distinct climatic gradients in China.

Methods

The high-throughput sequencing (Illumina MiSeq) of 16S rRNA genes was employed to analyze bacterial community composition in each soil sample. Multivariate analysis was used to determine the difference in soil properties, microbial community and functioning, and their interactions.

Results

Cluster and discrimination analysis indicated that bacterial community composition was similar in five tested soil samples, but bacterial richness combined with soil enzyme activities and potential nitrification rate (PNR) contributed most to the differentiations of soil samples. Mantel test analysis revealed that bacterial community composition and richness were more significantly shaped by soil nutrient conditions and edaphic variables than bacterial diversity. As for soil multifunctionality, soil microbial community level physiological profiles were little affected by abiotic and biotic factors, while soil enzymes and PNR were also significantly related to bacterial community composition and richness, in addition to soil N and P availability.

Conclusion

Cumulatively, soil enzymes’ activities and PNR were greatly dependent on bacterial community composition and richness not diversity, which in turn were greatly modified by soil N and P availability. Therefore, in the future it should be considered for the role of fertilization in the modification of bacterial community and the consequent control of nutrient cycling in soil.
Application of cofactors in the regulation of microbial metabolism: A state of the art review
Authors: Sun Yang , Zhang Ting , Lu Bingqian , Li Xiangfei , Jiang Ling
Published: April 2023

Cofactors are crucial chemicals that maintain cellular redox balance and drive the cell to do synthetic and catabolic reactions. They are involved in practically all enzymatic activities that occur in live cells. It has been a hot research topic in recent years to manage their concentrations and forms in microbial cells by using appropriate techniques to obtain more high-quality target products. In this review, we first summarize the physiological functions of common cofactors, and give a brief overview of common cofactors acetyl coenzyme A, NAD(P)H/NAD(P)+, and ATP/ADP; then we provide a detailed introduction of intracellular cofactor regeneration pathways, review the regulation of cofactor forms and concentrations by molecular biological means, and review the existing regulatory strategies of microbial cellular cofactors and their application progress, to maximize and rapidly direct the metabolic flux to target metabolites. Finally, we speculate on the future of cofactor engineering applications in cell factories.

Graphical Abstract
Prediction model for cognitive frailty in older adults: A systematic review and critical appraisal
Authors: Huang Jundan , Zeng Xianmei , Hu Mingyue , Ning Hongting , Wu Shuang , Peng Ruotong , Feng Hui
Published: April 2023

Background

Several prediction models for cognitive frailty (CF) in older adults have been developed. However, the existing models have varied in predictors and performances, and the methodological quality still needs to be determined.

Objectives

We aimed to summarize and critically appraise the reported multivariable prediction models in older adults with CF.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Databases were searched from the inception to March 1, 2022. Included models were descriptively summarized and critically appraised by the Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST).

Results

A total of 1,535 articles were screened, of which seven were included in the review, describing the development of eight models. Most models were developed in China (n = 4, 50.0%). The most common predictors were age (n = 8, 100%) and depression (n = 4, 50.0%). Seven models reported discrimination by the C-index or area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) ranging from 0.71 to 0.97, and four models reported the calibration using the Hosmer–Lemeshow test and calibration plot. All models were rated as high risk of bias. Two models were validated externally.

Conclusion

There are a few prediction models for CF. As a result of methodological shortcomings, incomplete presentation, and lack of external validation, the models’ usefulness still needs to be determined. In the future, models with better prediction performance and methodological quality should be developed and validated externally.

Systematic review registration

www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, identifier CRD42022323591.
Case report: Late in-stent thrombosis in a patient with vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia after stent-assisted coil embolization due to the discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy
Authors: Ji Zhe , Yang Wanxin , Ma Yongjie , Bian Lisong , Li Guilin , Fu Yongjuan , Piao Yueshan , Zhang Hongqi
Published: April 2023

Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) is a rare type of cerebrovascular disorder with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Due to the distinct pathological characteristics that fragmented internal elastic lamina and multiple dissections, VBD is difficult to treat and cured. Stent-assisted coil embolization is one of the main treatment modalities for such lesions. However, the duration of healing remained questionable, and there were no effective measures for evaluating endothelial coverage. Before complete endothelial coverage, the discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy may lead to fatal in-stent thrombosis; however, continued antiplatelet therapy could also result in bleeding complications. Thus, we present an autopsy case of late in-stent thrombosis due to the discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy and systematically review the literature to provide a reference for endovascular treatment and antiplatelet regimen of VBD.
Frequency of deep-seated cerebral microbleeds in patients with lobar hemorrhages and histopathological evidence for cerebral amyloid angiopathy
Authors: Huhndorf Monika , Röcken Christoph , Flüh Charlotte , Weiler Caroline , Kuhlenbäumer Gregor , Tegeler Nora , Schacht Hannes , Neumann Alexander , Margraf Nils G. , Jensen-Kondering Ulf
Published: April 2023

Background

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a common disease and the most common cause of lobar hemorrhages in the elderly. Usually, deep-seated microhemorrhages preclude the diagnosis of CAA. In this study, we sought to estimate the frequency of deep-seated microbleeds on MRI in patients with lobar hemorrhages and histopathological evidence for cerebral amyloid angiopathy. In addition, we describe a cohort of patients with cortical and deep-seated microbleeds on MRI and a histopathological specimen available from lobar hematoma evacuation.

Methods

Retrospective database search for histopathological specimens from lobar hematoma evacuation and review of imaging findings (CT and MRI) and patient charts was performed.

Results

Between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2020, 88 specimens from 88 patients were available. A total of 56 specimens were excluded (no brain tissue in the specimen n = 4, other diagnosis n = 8, no MRI n = 43, and no BOLD-based sequence n = 1). Of the remaining 32 patients, 25 patients (78%) did not harbor deep-seated lesions on MRI, of which 17 patients had histopathological features of CAA. A total of seven patients harbored deep-seated CMB. Of these seven patients, three (3/20, 15%) had histopathological features of CAA.

Conclusion

Approximately 15% of patients with histopathologically diagnosed CAA harbor deep-seated microbleeds. This finding may add to the discussion on how to identify patients with CAA and deep-seated CMB.
Face-based age estimation using improved Swin Transformer with attention-based convolution
Authors: Shi Chaojun , Zhao Shiwei , Zhang Ke , Wang Yibo , Liang Longping
Published: April 2023

Recently Transformer models is new direction in the computer vision field, which is based on self multihead attention mechanism. Compared with the convolutional neural network, this Transformer uses the self-attention mechanism to capture global contextual information and extract more strong features by learning the association relationship between different features, which has achieved good results in many vision tasks. In face-based age estimation, some facial patches that contain rich age-specific information are critical in the age estimation task. The present study proposed an attention-based convolution (ABC) age estimation framework, called improved Swin Transformer with ABC, in which two separate regions were implemented, namely ABC and Swin Transformer. ABC extracted facial patches containing rich age-specific information using a shallow convolutional network and a multiheaded attention mechanism. Subsequently, the features obtained by ABC were spliced with the flattened image in the Swin Transformer, which were then input to the Swin Transformer to predict the age of the image. The ABC framework spliced the important regions that contained rich age-specific information into the original image, which could fully mobilize the long-dependency of the Swin Transformer, that is, extracting stronger features by learning the dependency relationship between different features. ABC also introduced loss of diversity to guide the training of self-attention mechanism, reducing overlap between patches so that the diverse and important patches were discovered. Through extensive experiments, this study showed that the proposed framework outperformed several state-of-the-art methods on age estimation benchmark datasets.
What can traditional Chinese medicine do for adult neurogenesis?
Authors: Shen Wei , Jiang Ning , Zhou Wenxia
Published: April 2023

Adult neurogenesis plays a crucial role in cognitive function and mood regulation, while aberrant adult neurogenesis contributes to various neurological and psychiatric diseases. With a better understanding of the significance of adult neurogenesis, the demand for improving adult neurogenesis is increasing. More and more research has shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), including TCM prescriptions (TCMPs), Chinese herbal medicine, and bioactive components, has unique advantages in treating neurological and psychiatric diseases by regulating adult neurogenesis at various stages, including proliferation, differentiation, and maturation. In this review, we summarize the progress of TCM in improving adult neurogenesis and the key possible mechanisms by which TCM may benefit it. Finally, we suggest the possible strategies of TCM to improve adult neurogenesis in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.
RescueSNN: enabling reliable executions on spiking neural network accelerators under permanent faults
Authors: Putra Rachmad Vidya Wicaksana , Hanif Muhammad Abdullah , Shafique Muhammad
Published: April 2023

To maximize the performance and energy efficiency of Spiking Neural Network (SNN) processing on resource-constrained embedded systems, specialized hardware accelerators/chips are employed. However, these SNN chips may suffer from permanent faults which can affect the functionality of weight memory and neuron behavior, thereby causing potentially significant accuracy degradation and system malfunctioning. Such permanent faults may come from manufacturing defects during the fabrication process, and/or from device/transistor damages (e.g., due to wear out) during the run-time operation. However, the impact of permanent faults in SNN chips and the respective mitigation techniques have not been thoroughly investigated yet. Toward this, we propose RescueSNN, a novel methodology to mitigate permanent faults in the compute engine of SNN chips without requiring additional retraining, thereby significantly cutting down the design time and retraining costs, while maintaining the throughput and quality. The key ideas of our RescueSNN methodology are (1) analyzing the characteristics of SNN under permanent faults; (2) leveraging this analysis to improve the SNN fault-tolerance through effective fault-aware mapping (FAM); and (3) devising lightweight hardware enhancements to support FAM. Our FAM technique leverages the fault map of SNN compute engine for (i) minimizing weight corruption when mapping weight bits on the faulty memory cells, and (ii) selectively employing faulty neurons that do not cause significant accuracy degradation to maintain accuracy and throughput, while considering the SNN operations and processing dataflow. The experimental results show that our RescueSNN improves accuracy by up to 80% while maintaining the throughput reduction below 25% in high fault rate (e.g., 0.5 of the potential fault locations), as compared to running SNNs on the faulty chip without mitigation. In this manner, the embedded systems that employ RescueSNN-enhanced chips can efficiently ensure reliable executions against permanent faults during their operational lifetime.
In vitro methods in autophagy research: Applications in neurodegenerative diseases and mood disorders
Authors: Sánchez-Vidaña Dalinda Isabel , Li Jingjing , Abokyi Samuel , Chan Jackie Ngai-Man , Ngai Shirley Pui-Ching , Lau Benson Wui-Man
Published: April 2023

Background

Autophagy is a conserved physiological intracellular mechanism responsible for the degradation and recycling of cytoplasmic constituents (e.g., damaged organelles, and protein aggregates) to maintain cell homeostasis. Aberrant autophagy has been observed in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington’s Disease (HD), and recently aberrant autophagy has been associated with mood disorders, such as depression. Several in vitro methods have been developed to study the complex and tightly regulated mechanisms of autophagy. In vitro methods applied to autophagy research are used to identify molecular key players involved in dysfunctional autophagy and to screen autophagy regulators with therapeutic applications in neurological diseases and mood disorders. Therefore, the aims of this narrative review are (1) to compile information on the cell-based methods used in autophagy research, (2) to discuss their application, and (3) to create a catalog of traditional and novel in vitro methods applied in neurodegenerative diseases and depression.

Methods

Pubmed and Google Scholar were used to retrieve relevant in vitro studies on autophagy mechanisms in neurological diseases and depression using a combination of search terms per mechanism and disease (e.g., “macroautophagy” and “Alzheimer’s disease”). A total of 37 studies were included (14 in PD, 8 in AD, 5 in ALS, 5 in %, and 5 in depression).

Results

A repertoire of traditional and novel approaches and techniques was compiled and discussed. The methods used in autophagy research focused on the mechanisms of macroautophagy, microautophagy, and chaperone-mediated autophagy. The in vitro tools presented in this review can be applied to explore pathophysiological mechanisms at a molecular level and to screen for potential therapeutic agents and their mechanism of action, which can be of great importance to understanding disease biology and potential therapeutic options in the context of neurodegenerative disorders and depression.

Conclusion

This is the first review to compile, discuss, and provide a catalog of traditional and novel in vitro models applied to neurodegenerative disorders and depression.
Carbohydrate knowledge, beliefs, and intended practices, of endurance athletes who report exercise-associated gastrointestinal symptoms
Authors: Scrivin Rachel , Costa Ricardo J. S. , Pelly Fiona , Lis Dana , Slater Gary
Published: April 2023

This study aimed to explore carbohydrate (CHO) knowledge, beliefs, and intended practices of endurance athletes who experience exercise-associated gastrointestinal symptoms (Ex-GIS) compared to those without Ex-GIS. A validated online questionnaire was completed by endurance athletes (n = 201) participating in >60 min of exercise that present with Ex-GIS (n = 137) or without (n = 64). Descriptive statistics were used for parametric and non-parametric data with appropriate significance tests. Associations between categorical data were assessed by Chi-square analysis, and post-hoc Bonferroni tests were applied when significant. A content analysis of open-ended responses was grouped into themes, and quantitative statistics were applied. Participants included runners (n = 114, 57%), triathletes (n = 43, 21%) and non-running sports (n = 44, 21%) who participate in recreational competitive (n = 74, 37%), recreational non-competitive (n = 64, 32%), or competitive regional, national, or international levels (n = 63, 31%). Athletes correctly categorized CHO (x̄ = 92–95%) and non-CHO (x̄ = 88–90%) food and drink sources. On a Likert scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree) athletes typically agree or strongly agree that consuming CHO around key training sessions and competitions enhances athletic performance [median = 4 (IQR, 4–5)], and they intend to consume more CHO around exercise [median = 3 (IQR, 2–3)]. No differences in beliefs and intentions were found among athletes with or without Ex-GIS. To enhance athletic performance, most endurance athletes intend to consume more CHO around exercise. Adequate knowledge of CHO-containing food sources was apparent; however, specific CHO ingestion practices remain to be verified.
Impact of early enteral nutrition on ventilator associated pneumonia in intubated severe trauma patients: A propensity score-matched study
Authors: Wang Su , Zhao Xin , Wang Qian , Wu Yongran , Xu Jiaxin , Li Ruiting , Zhou Ting , Lv Zheng , Yang Jihong , Yang Le , Zou Xiaojing
Published: April 2023

Background

Early enteral nutrition (EN) is recommended for critically ill patients. However, the impact of early EN on intubated severe trauma patients remains unclear.

Methods

Severely traumatized adult patients who received invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) for more than 48 h during intensive care unit (ICU) stay at our institution between 2017 and 2022 were retrospectively included. Early EN was defined as EN initiation ≤48 h from ICU admission and late EN >48 h. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was used to compare outcomes between the groups. The primary endpoint was the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of delayed EN.

Results

For final analysis, 337 intubated severe trauma patients were available, including 204 (60.5%) in the early EN group and 133 (39.5%) in the late EN group. After PSM, early EN patients had a lower incidence of VAP (12.9 vs. 25.8%, p = 0.026) and a shorter length of hospital stay (21 vs. 24 days, p = 0.015) compared to late EN patients. There was no demonstrable difference in mortality between the two groups. Abdominal trauma, massive blood transfusion, and serum albumin were identified as independent risk factors for delayed EN.

Conclusion

Early EN decreased the VAP rate and reduced the length of hospital stay in invasively ventilated patients with severe trauma. Abdominal injury, massive blood transfusion and low albumin were associated with delayed EN.
A single-arm phase II clinical trial of anlotinib combined with chemotherapy for the treatment of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Huang Jia-Yi , Xie Xiao-Feng , Chen Xue-Lian , Zhang Qiu-Yi , Chen Li-Ping , Bai Xue , Lan Xiao-Feng , Song Lin , Guo Jin-Feng , Du Cai-Wen
Published: April 2023

Background

Anlotinib is a novel oral small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), which can inhibit angiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of anlotinib combined with chemotherapy in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Methods

This phase II clinical trial included 40 patients with metastatic TNBC who had previously received anthracycline and/or taxane treatment. All patients received anlotinib combined with chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), clinical benefit rate (CBR), disease control rate (DCR) and safety.

Results

During May 1, 2019 and April 30, 2022, there were 40 patients enrolled in this study. The median PFS and median OS were 8.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.5-11.1 months) and 19.0 months (95% CI, 12.1–25.9 months), respectively. The ORR, CBR and DCR were 40.0% (16/40), 85.0% (34/40) and 95.0% (38/40), respectively. Cox univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that having more than 3 metastatic sites (p = 0.001; p = 0.020) was an independent and meaningful unfavorable prognostic factor for PFS. 37.5% of patients had grade 3 to 4 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). The grade 3 to 4 TRAEs included neutropenia (22.5%), leukopenia (20.0%), secondary hypertension (10.0%), hand-foot syndrome (5.0%), vomiting (5.0%), proteinuria (5.0%) and thrombocytopenia (2.5%). None of the patients withdrew from the study or died due to TRAEs.

Conclusion

In this single-arm study, the treatment of metastatic TNBC with anlotinib combined with chemotherapy showed certain efficacy, and its toxicity was acceptable.
Efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab versus sintilimab treatment in patients with advanced squamous lung cancer: A real-world study in China
Authors: Yang Wenyu , Li Tao , Bai Yibing , Long Yaping , Gao Ming , Wang Ting , Jing Fangfang , Zhang Fan , Tao Haitao , Ma Junxun , Wang Lijie , Hu Yi
Published: April 2023

Importance

Both pembrolizumab and sintilimab have been approved by the Chinese State Drug Administration (NMPA) for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced squamous lung cancer. The differences of the two drugs in efficacy and safety are unclear.

Objectives

To compare the real-world efficacy and safety of first-line treatments in patients with advanced squamous lung cancer.

Materials and methods

This was a retrospective review of patients with advanced squamous carcinoma who received sintilimab or pembrolizumab in combination with chemotherapy as first-line therapy between June 2018 and April 2022 in the Chinese PLA Hospital. The primary objective was to compare the objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) between the two groups. Secondary objectives were to compare the disease control rate (DCR) and to analyze adverse events (AEs) between the two groups.

Results

A total of 164 patients were enrolled, including 63 patients (38.4%) in the sintilimab-combined chemotherapy group and 101 patients (61.6%) in the pembrolizumab-combined chemotherapy group. The ORR was 65.10% in the sintilimab group and 61.40% in the pembrolizumab group (P=0.634). The DCR was 92.10% and 92.10% in the sintilimab and pembrolizumab groups, respectively (P=0.991). The median PFS was 22.2 months for patients treated with sintilimab group compared with 16.5 months for patients treated with pembrolizumab group[hazard ratio (HR) = 0.743; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.479-1.152; P = 0.599]. Patients treated with pembrolizumab did not achieve a median OS, and patients treated with sintilimab had a median OS of 30.7 months. In the sintilimab group, the incidence of all treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) was 92.1% (58/63), and the incidence of grade 3-4 TRAEs of 42.9% (27/63). In the pembrolizumab group, the incidence of all TRAEs was 90.1% (91/101), and the incidence of grade 3-4 TRAEs was 37.6% (38/101).

Conclusion

In the clinical treatment of Chinese patients with advanced squamous lung cancer, first-line treatment with sintilimab in combination with chemotherapy provided similar efficacy to pembrolizumab in combination with chemotherapy, and the treatment-related adverse effect profiles were comparable between the two groups, including similar rates of grade 3-4 and all adverse events.
Long-term health outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Kelkar Amar H. , Antin Joseph H. , Shapiro Roman M.
Published: April 2023

Background

Fifty years of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) has ushered in an exciting era of cellular therapy and has led to enormous progress in improving the outcomes of patients with both malignant and non-malignant hematologic disease. As the survival of transplanted patients has increased, so has the recognition of long-term complications related to this therapy.

Purpose

The goal of this review is to highlight some of the most common long-term complications of HCT.

Data sources

To this end, we have conducted a review of the published literature on the long-term complications of HCT encompassing the past 50 years.

Study selection

We have endeavored to include long-term complications reported in research articles, case series and case reports, reviews, and abstracts. We have focused primarily on adult allogeneic HCT, but have included some data from studies of pediatric allogeneic HCT as well. We have also prioritized the literature published in the last 15 years.

Data extraction

Key data supporting the onset and prevalence of the most common long-term complications was extracted.

Limitations

While the list of long-term complications extracted and reported was comprehensive, it was not exhaustive.

Conclusions

We have endeavored to highlight some of the most common long-term complications of HCT, the recognition and management of which constitutes an important part of HCT survivorship care.
Relationship between serum phosphate and mortality in critically ill children receiving continuous renal replacement therapy
Authors: Zhou Xiong , He Jie , Zhu Desheng , Yao Zhenya , Peng Dan , Zhang Xinping
Published: April 2023

Purpose

We aimed to explore the relationship between serum phosphate concentration and 90-day mortality in critically ill children receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT).

Methods

Data from the medical records of children aged <13 years who received CRRT at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Hunan Children's Hospital, China from January 2015 to June 2020 were retrospectively collected. Children were grouped into four categories according to the baseline phosphate concentration before CRRT and mean serum phosphate concentration during CRRT: <0.81 mmol/L (hypophosphatemia), 0.81–1.19 mmol/L, 1.2–2.4 mmol/L (normal phosphate concentration), and >2.4 mmol/L (hyperphosphatemia), with the normal phosphate group serving as the comparator group. The correlation of the serum phosphate concentration before and during CRRT with the 90-day mortality after CRRT initiation was analyzed using logistic regression.

Results

A total of 177 children were included in our study. The mean serum phosphate concentration before CRRT was 1.46 mmol/L (quartiles: 1.04, 2.20). The 90-day mortality rate was increased in children with a serum phosphate concentration >2.4 mmol/L before CRRT (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42–9.86, P = 0.008). The mean serum phosphate concentration during CRRT was 1.2 mmol/L (quartiles: 0.91, 1.49). The 90-day mortality rate was increased in children with a mean serum phosphate concentration >2.4 mmol/L during CRRT (aOR 7.34, 95% CI 1.59–33.88, P = 0.011).

Conclusion

Hyperphosphatemia before and during CRRT predicts a higher 90-day mortality rate.
Mannose phosphate isomerase gene mutation leads to a congenital disorder of glycosylation: A rare case report and literature review
Authors: Lu Siliang , Liang Shuheng , Wu Yi , Liu Jinyi , Lin Lin , Huang Guosheng , Ning Huaijun
Published: April 2023

We report the case of a 2-year-old girl who was diagnosed with Mannose-6-phosphate isomerase-congenital disorder of glycosylation (MPI-CDG) and provide a review of the relevant literature. The young girl presented with recurrent unexplained diarrhea, vomiting, hypoproteinemia, and elevated liver transaminases. Whole-exome sequencing revealed that the patient had compound heterozygous mutations in the MPI gene (NM_0024). An exon 4 (c.455G > T, p.R152l) mutation was inherited from the mother and an exon 7 (c.884G > A, p.R295H) mutation from the father. One week after the start of mannose treatment, the vomiting and diarrhea symptoms disappeared completely and did not show any side effects. We also provide a brief review of the relevant literature. Including the present case, a total of 52 patients from hospitals across 17 countries were diagnosed with MPI-CDG. Age at disease onset ranged from birth to 15 years, with an onset under 2 years in most patients (43/50). Overall, patients presented with at least one or more of the following symptoms: chronic diarrhea (41/46), vomiting (23/27), hepatomegaly (39/44), hepatic fibrosis (20/37), protein-losing enteropathy (30/36), elevated serum transaminases (24/34), hyperinsulinemic-hypoglycemia (24/34), hypoalbuminemia (33/38), prolonged coagulation (26/30), splenomegaly (13/21), non-pitting edema (14/20), failure to thrive (13/36), portal hypertension (4/9), epilepsy (2/17), thrombosis (12/14), and abnormally elevated leukocytes (5). None of the patients was reported to have an intellectual disability (0/28). The majority of patients (26/30) showed clinical symptoms, and laboratory results improved after oral mannose administration. Our findings suggest that MPI-CDG should be considered in children with unexplained recurrent digestive and endocrine systems involvement, and gene examination should be performed immediately to obtain a definite diagnosis in order to begin treatment in a timely manner.
Fetal and neonatal outcome in severe alloimmunization managed with intrauterine transfusion: 18-year experience in a tertiary referral hospital in China
Authors: Pan Wenxu , Wu Haiyan , Chen Junlin , Mo Xinyue , Wang Hongxin , Fang Qun , Li Yijuan , Huang Yuefang
Published: April 2023

Background

Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) due to red cell alloimmunization, is an important cause of fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. However, fetal and neonatal outcome of HDFN managed with intrauterine transfusion (IUT) in China are unknown. In addition, fetal and neonatal outcomes according to the type of maternal red cell alloantibodies involved and outcomes of hydrops fetalis are also unclear.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to evaluate fetal and neonatal outcomes of severe red-cell alloimmunization treated by IUT, to compare the outcomes according to the type of antibody, and to investigate the perinatal and postnatal outcomes of hydrops fetalis due to red cell alloimmunization.

Methods

A retrospective study of pregnancies affected by HDFN and managed with IUT at a tertiary care university hospital in China between January 2001 and December 2018 was performed. Fetal and neonatal outcomes were investigated, and comparison of outcomes depending on the type of antibody and comparison of outcome between hydrops fetalis and fetuses without hydrops were also conducted.

Results

244 IUTs were performed in 81 fetuses from 80 pregnancies. Anti-RhD was the major etiology of HDFN requiring IUT (71.6%). The fetal survival rate was 90.1%. The survival rate of the hydropic fetuses was significantly lower than those of the non hydropic fetuses (61.2% vs. 95.6%) (P = 0.002**). Compared with non hydropic fetuses, hydropic fetuses had significantly lower gestational age and lower hemoglobin level at first IUT. The neonatal survival rate was 98.6%. Exchange transfusions were required in 26% of the neonates. 30.1% of neonates had late anemia and required top-up transfusions, and hydropic fetuses required more late top-up transfusions than fetuses without hydrops. No significant difference in fetal and neonatal outcomes was found among the four subgroups stratified by the antibody involved.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that IUT is an effective and safe therapy for severe HDFN at our institution. Early detection and treatment of hydrops is critical for perinatal outcomes. Particular attention should be paid to late postnatal anemia in affected neonates and top-up transfusion is still commonly needed.
Fighting cytokine storm and immunomodulatory deficiency: By using natural products therapy up to now
Authors: Mohammed Mona A.
Published: April 2023

A novel coronavirus strain (COVID-19) caused severe illness and mortality worldwide from 31 December 2019 to 21 March 2023. As of this writing, 761,071,826 million cases have been diagnosed worldwide, with 6,879,677 million deaths accorded by WHO organization and has spread to 228 countries. The number of deaths is closely connected to the growth of innate immune cells in the lungs, mainly macrophages, which generate inflammatory cytokines (especially IL-6 and IL-1β) that induce “cytokine storm syndrome” (CSS), multi-organ failure, and death. We focus on promising natural products and their biologically active chemical constituents as potential phytopharmaceuticals that target virus-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines. Successful therapy for this condition is currently rare, and the introduction of an effective vaccine might take months. Blocking viral entrance and replication and regulating humoral and cellular immunity in the uninfected population are the most often employed treatment approaches for viral infections. Unfortunately, no presently FDA-approved medicine can prevent or reduce SARS-CoV-2 access and reproduction. Until now, the most important element in disease severity has been the host’s immune response activation or suppression. Several medicines have been adapted for COVID-19 patients, including arbidol, favipiravir, ribavirin, lopinavir, ritonavir, hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, dexamethasone, and anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical drugs, such as tocilizumab, glucocorticoids, anakinra (IL-1β cytokine inhibition), and siltuximab (IL-6 cytokine inhibition). However, these synthetic medications and therapies have several side effects, including heart failure, permanent retinal damage in the case of hydroxyl-chloroquine, and liver destruction in the case of remdesivir. This review summarizes four strategies for fighting cytokine storms and immunomodulatory deficiency induced by COVID-19 using natural product therapy as a potential therapeutic measure to control cytokine storms.
Frontiers in photonics spotlight
Authors: Anvari Bahman , Celebrano Michele , De Angelis Costantino , Huang Shujuan , Poon Ting-Chung , Richards Bryce S. , Peccianti Marco
Published: April 2023

Highlighting remarkable research output is an important mission of journals and scientists engaged in dissemination. With this spotlight-review we would like to provide visibility to some of the best recent research outputs and stress the pivotal role of their authors in the Photonics field.
Spontaneous emission noise resilience of coupled nanolasers
Authors: Roos Aycke , Meinecke Stefan , Lüdge Kathy
Published: April 2023

We investigate the spontaneous emission noise resilience of the phase-locked operation of two delay-coupled nanolasers. The system is modeled by semi-classical Maxwell–Bloch rate equations with stochastic Langevin-type noise sources. Our results reveal that a polarization dephasing time of two to three times the cavity photon lifetime maximizes the system’s ability to remain phase-locked in the presence of noise-induced perturbations. The Langevin noise term is caused by spontaneous emission processes which change both the intensity auto-correlation properties of the solitary lasers and the coupled system. In an experimental setup, these quantities are measurable and can be directly compared to our numerical data. The strong parameter dependence of the noise tolerance that we find may show possible routes for the design of robust on-chip integrated networks of nanolasers.
Mechanistic assessment and ablation of left ventricular assist device related ventricular tachycardia in patients with severe heart failure
Authors: Hohendanner Felix , Bock Matthias , Keznickl-Pulst Julian , Furundzija Vesna , Scholz Sebastian , Schöppenthau Doreen , Hrytsyna Yuriy , Falk Volkmar , Pieske Burkert , Hindricks Gerhard , Potapov Evgenij , Gerds-Li Jin-Hong
Published: April 2023

Aims: Left-ventricular-assist-devices (lvad) are an established treatment for patients with severe heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HF) and reduce mortality. However, HF patients have significant substrate for ventricular tachycardia (VT) and the lvad itself might be pro-arrhythmogenic. We investigated the mechanism of VT in lvad-patients in relation to the underlying etiology and provide in silico and ex-vivo data for ablation in these HF patients.

Methods and Results: We retrospectively analyzed invasive electrophysiological (EP) studies of 17 patients with VT and lvad. The mechanism of VT was determined using electroanatomical, entrainment and activation time mapping. Ischemic cardiomyopathy was present in 70% of patients. VT originated from the lvad region in >30%. 1/6 patients with VT originating from the lvad region had episodes before lvad implantation, while 7/11 patients with VT originating from other regions had episodes before implantation. Number and time of radiofrequency (RF)-ablation lesions were not different between VTs originating from the lvad or other regions. Long-term freedom from VT was 50% upon ablation in patients with VT originating from the lvad region and 64% if ablation was conducted in other regions. To potentially preemptively mitigate lvad related VT in patients undergoing lvad implantation, we obtained in silico derived data and performed ex-vivo experiments targeting ventricular myocardium. Of the tested settings, application of 25 W for 30 s was safe and associated with optimal lesion characteristics.

Conclusion: A significant percentage of patients with lvad undergoing VT ablation exhibit arrhythmia originating in close vicinity to the device and recurrence rates are high. Based on in silico and ex-vivo data, we propose individualized RF-ablation in selected patients at risk for/with lvad related VT.
Optimal dose and type of exercise to reduce pain, anxiety and increase quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia. A systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Rodríguez-Almagro Daniel , Del Moral-García María , López-Ruiz María del Carmen , Cortés-Pérez Irene , Obrero-Gaitán Esteban , Lomas-Vega Rafael
Published: April 2023

The aim of our meta-analysis was to compile the available evidence to evaluate the effect of physical exercise-based therapy (PEBT) on pain, impact of the disease, quality of life (QoL) and anxiety in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), to determine the effect of different modes of physical exercise-based therapy, and the most effective dose of physical exercise-based therapy for improving each outcome. A systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out. The PubMed (MEDLINE), SCOPUS, Web of Science, CINAHL Complete and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) databases were searched up to November 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effects of physical exercise-based therapy and other treatments on pain, the impact of the disease, QoL and/or anxiety in patients with FMS were included. The standardized mean difference (SMD) and a 95% CI were estimated for all the outcome measures using random effect models. Three reviewers independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias using the PEDro scale. Sixty-eight RCTs involving 5,474 participants were included. Selection, detection and performance biases were the most identified. In comparison to other therapies, at immediate assessment, physical exercise-based therapy was effective at improving pain [SMD-0.62 (95%CI, −0.78 to −0.46)], the impact of the disease [SMD-0.52 (95%CI, −0.67 to −0.36)], the physical [SMD 0.51 (95%CI, 0.33 to 0.69)] and mental dimensions of QoL [SMD 0.48 (95%CI, 0.29 to 0.67)], and the anxiety [SMD-0.36 (95%CI, −0.49 to −0.25)]. The most effective dose of physical exercise-based therapy for reducing pain was 21–40 sessions [SMD-0.83 (95%CI, 1.1–−0.56)], 3 sessions/week [SMD-0.82 (95%CI, −1.2–−0.48)] and 61–90 min per session [SMD-1.08 (95%CI, −1.55–−0.62)]. The effect of PEBT on pain reduction was maintained up to 12 weeks [SMD-0.74 (95%CI, −1.03–−0.45)]. Among patients with FMS, PEBT (including circuit-based exercises or exercise movement techniques) is effective at reducing pain, the impact of the disease and anxiety as well as increasing QoL.

Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42021232013.
Physiomorphic and molecular-based evaluation of wheat germplasm under drought and heat stress
Authors: Alsamadany Hameed , Alzahrani Yahya , Shah Zahid Hussain
Published: April 2023

Drought and heat stress are potential problems that can reduce wheat yield, particularly during the terminal growth stages in arid and semiarid regions of the world. The current study intended to examine the impact of individual and combined drought and heat stress on the biochemical contents (antioxidant enzymes, proline, soluble proteins, and soluble sugars), physiological parameters (chlorophyll content, cell membrane stability, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration), plant–water relations (relative water content, water potential, osmotic potential, and pressure potential), agronomic traits (flag leaf area, plant height, number of tillers per plant, spike length, grains per spike, and thousand-grain weight), and gene expression (TaHSF1a, TaWRKY-33, TaNAC2L, and TaGASR1) in four different thermostable and drought-tolerant wheat genotypes (i.e., Gold-16, HS-240, Suntop, and Hemai-13) collected from different countries. The tri-replicate experiment was conducted using two factorial arrangements in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). All measured traits, except total soluble sugars, proline, and cell membrane stability index, showed significant reduction under both combined and individual treatments. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed a significant association between biochemical and physiological characteristics and crop agronomic productivity. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) and heatmap analysis demonstrated significant levels of variation in traits according to the type of stress and nature of wheat genotype. The spectrographs and micrographs generated by scanning electron microscopy for the selected high- and low- tolerance samples revealed clear differences in mineral distribution and starch granulation. All studied genes showed comparatively high levels of relative expression under combined treatments of drought and heat stress in all wheat genotypes, but this expression was the highest in ‘Gold-16’ followed by ‘HS-240’, ‘Suntop’, and ‘Hemai-13’. Overall, this study concluded that plants are proactive entities and they respond to stresses at all levels; however, the tolerant plants tend to retain the integrity of their biochemical, physiological, and molecular equilibrium.
Physiological dynamics as indicators of plant response to manganese binary effect
Authors: Zhenggang Xu , Li Fan , Mengxi Zheng , Yunlin Zhao , Huimin Huang , Guiyan Yang
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Heavy metals negatively affect plant physiology. However, plants can reduce their toxicity through physiological responses. Broussonetia papyrifera is a suitable candidate tree for carrying out the phytoremediation of manganese (Mn)-contaminated soil.

Methods

Considering that Mn stress typically exerts a binary effect on plants, to reveal the dynamic characteristics of the physiological indexes of B. papyrifera to Mn stress, we conducted pot experiments with six different Mn concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 mmol/L) for 60 days. In addition to the chlorophyll content, malondialdehyde (MDA), proline (PRO), soluble sugar, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), the absorption and transfer characteristics of Mn, and root structure were also measured.

Results

Phytoremedial potential parameters such as the bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) displayed an increasing trend with the increase of Mn concentration. At lower Mn concentrations (<0.5 mmol/L), the TF value was <1 but crossed 1 when the Mn concentration exceeded 100 mmol/L. The Mn distribution in various tissues was in the following order: leaf > stem > root. The root structure analysis revealed that low-level concentrations of Mn (1 mmol/L) promoted root development. Mn concentration and stress duration had significant effects on all measured physiological indexes, and except soluble sugar, Mn concentration and stress time displayed a significant interaction on the physiological indexes.

Discussion

Our study demonstrates that the physiological indexes of B. papyrifera display dynamic characteristics under Mn stress. Thus, during the monitoring process of Mn stress, it appears to be necessary to appropriately select sampling parts according to Mn concentration.