bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The antimicrobial peptide Magainin-2 interacts with BamA impairing folding of E. coli membrane proteins
Authors: Di Somma Angela , Cané Carolina , Moretta Antonio , Illiano Anna , Pinto Gabriella , Cavasso Domenico , Amoresano Angela , Paduano Luigi , Duilio Angela
Published: October 2022

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a unique and diverse group of molecules endowed with a broad spectrum of antibiotics properties that are being considered as new alternative therapeutic agents. Most of these peptides are membrane-active molecules, killing bacteria by membrane disruption. However, recently an increasing number of AMPs was shown to enter bacterial cells and target intracellular processes fundamental for bacterial life. In this paper we investigated the mechanism of action of Maganin-2 (Mag-2), a well-known antimicrobial peptide isolated from the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis, by functional proteomic approaches. Several proteins belonging to E. coli macromolecular membrane complexes were identified as Mag-2 putative interactors. Among these, we focused our attention on BamA a membrane protein belonging to the BAM complex responsible for the folding and insertion of nascent β-barrel Outer Membrane Proteins (OMPs) in the outer membrane. In silico predictions by molecular modelling, in vitro fluorescence binding and Light Scattering experiments carried out using a recombinant form of BamA confirmed the formation of a stable Mag-2/BamA complex and indicated a high affinity of the peptide for BamA. Functional implications of this interactions were investigated by two alternative and complementary approaches. The amount of outer membrane proteins OmpA and OmpF produced in E. coli following Mag-2 incubation were evaluated by both western blot analysis and quantitative tandem mass spectrometry in Multiple Reaction Monitoring scan mode. In both experiments a gradual decrease in outer membrane proteins production with time was observed as a consequence of Mag-2 treatment. These results suggested BamA as a possible good target for the rational design of new antibiotics since this protein is responsible for a crucial biological event of bacterial life and is absent in humans.
Simulation of the sensing mechanism in quantum dot gas sensor by quantum light harvesting approach
Authors: Suntijitrungruang Ongart , Lakronwat Jidapa , Uthailiang Teerapat , Pongkitiwanichakul Peera , Boonchui S.
Published: October 2022

Quantum dot (QD) gas sensors are one of the most useful nanotechnologies applied to protect people from unnecessary harm. This work theoretically explores the mechanism in QD gas sensors in order to advance the prudent design of relevant products. The theoretical model employed in this research is similar to the process in plants’ photosynthesis, referred to as charge separation of light harvesting. In this work, we investigate the details of energy transport in QD gas sensors carried by electrons from the circuit. We demonstrate theoretically how the effects of temperature and gas detection affect electron transport. To analyze thoroughly, the potential energy referred to as the Schotthy barrier perturbed by gasses is considered. Moreover, the energy transfer efficiency (ETE) of QD gas sensors for oxidizing or reducing gas is shown in the simulation. The results imply that the electron transport between QDs (raising the current and lessening the current) depends on a parameter corresponding with the Schotthy barrier. In regard to thermal energy portrayed by phonon baths, a higher temperature shortens the time duration of energy transport in QDs, hence raising energy transfer efficiency and energy current. Our model can be applied to further QD gas sensors’ design and manufacture.
Cardiovascular and hepatic disease associations by magnetic resonance imaging: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kwan Alan C. , Sun Nancy , Driver Matthew , Botting Patrick , Navarrette Jesse , Ouyang David , Hussain Shehnaz K. , Noureddin Mazen , Li Debiao , Ebinger Joseph E. , Berman Daniel S. , Cheng Susan
Published: October 2022

Background

Hepatic disease is linked to cardiovascular events but the independent association between hepatic and cardiovascular disease remains unclear, given shared risk factors.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of consecutive patients with a clinical cardiac MRI (CMR) and a serological marker of hepatic fibrosis, the FIB-4 score, within one year of clinical imaging. We assessed the relations between FIB-4 scores grouped based on prior literature: low (< 1.3), moderate (1.3–3.25), and high (>3.25), and abnormalities detected by comprehensive CMR grouped into 4 domains: cardiac structure (end diastolic volumes, atrial dimensions, wall thickness); cardiac function (ejection fractions, wall motion abnormalities, cardiac output); vascular structure (ascending aortic and pulmonary arterial sizes); and cardiac composition (late gadolinium enhancement, T1 and T2 times). We used Poisson regression to examine the association between the conventionally defined FIB-4 category (low <1.3, moderate 1.3–3.25, and high >3.25) and any CMR abnormality while adjusting for demographics and traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Results

Of the 1668 patients studied (mean age: 55.971 ± 7.28, 901 [54%] male), 85.9% had ≥1 cardiac abnormality with increasing prevalence seen within the low (82.0%) to moderate (88.8%) to high (92.3%) FIB-4 categories. Multivariable analyses demonstrated the presence of any cardiac abnormality was significantly associated with having a high-range FIB-4 (prevalence ratio 1.07, 95% CI: 1.01–1.13); notably, the presence of functional cardiac abnormalities were associated with being in the high FIB-4 range (1.41, 1.21–1.65) and any vascular abnormalities with being in the moderate FIB-4 range (1.22, 1.01–1.47).

Conclusions

Elevated FIB-4 was associated with cardiac functional and vascular abnormalities even after adjustment for shared risk factors in a cohort of patients with clinically referred CMR. These CMR findings indicate that cardiovascular abnormalities exist in the presence of subclinical hepatic fibrosis, irrespective of shared risk factors, underscoring the need for further studies of the heart-liver axis.
Remnant cholesterol and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: Metabolism, mechanism, evidence, and treatment
Authors: Wang Kexin , Wang Rui , Yang Jiaxin , Liu Xiaoli , Shen Hua , Sun Yan , Zhou Yujie , Fang Zhe , Ge Hailong
Published: October 2022

This review aimed to summarize the evidence of elevated remnant cholesterol and the risks of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and to search for further guidance in clinical therapy. The lipids-lowering treatments such as statins and ezetimibe targeted on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) have always been the first-line therapy for ASCVD. However, even after statins or new lipid-lowering drugs lowered LDL-C to recommended concentrations, and with other risk factors well-controlled, such as high blood pressure, the risks of developing ASCVD remained. Remnant cholesterol (RC) referred to the cholesterol contained in all remnant lipoprotein particles, which was the cholesterol in the hydrolyzed very-low-density lipoprotein and intermediate-density lipoprotein in the fasting state, and the cholesterol in the chylomicron remnants in the postprandial state. Evidence from in vitro and animal pathogenic mechanisms studies, epidemiology, and genetic studies all indicated that RC played an important role in predicting the incidence of ASCVD. As a new indicator to reflect atherosclerosis, especially when LDL-C has been controlled to a recommended level, RC was considered as a priority treatment target for people at high risk of ASCVD. The use of statins, fibrates, APOC3 inhibitors, PCSK9 inhibitors, and omega-3 fatty acids to reduce RC levels in the plasma may provide long-term benefits. However, the standardized detection of RC was still controversial, and more studies on appropriate treatments of elevated RC are urgently needed. These positive trials may benefit more patients at high ASCVD risks worldwide in the future.
Extracellular vesicles produced by human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells can prevent arterial stenosis in mice via autophagy regulation
Authors: He Yecheng , Li Quanfu , Feng Feng , Gao Rupan , Li Huadong , Chu Yuxin , Li Shaobo , Wang Yin , Mao Ruoying , Ji Zhongzhong , Hua Yutao , Shen Jun , Wang Ziao , Zhao Meng , Yao Qing
Published: October 2022

Intravascular transplantation of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) demonstrated a significant therapeutic effect in the treatment of restenosis by the paracrine function of extracellular vesicles (EVs). However, the risk of tumorigenicity and poor cell survival limits its clinical applications. In this study, we for the first time applied a highly efficient and robust three-dimensional (3D) protocol for hiPSC differentiation into endothelial cells (ECs) with subsequent isolation of EVs from the derived hiPSC-EC (ECs differentiated from hiPSCs), and validated their therapeutic effect in intimal hyperplasia (IH) models. We found that intravenously (iv) injected EVs could accumulate on the carotid artery endothelium and significantly alleviate the intimal thickening induced by the carotid artery ligation. To elucidate the mechanism of this endothelial protection, we performed miRNA expression profiling and found out that among the most conserved endothelial miRNAs, miR-126 was the most abundant in hiPSC-EC-produced EVs (hiPSC-EC-EV). MiR-126 depletion from hiPSC-EC-EV can hinder its protective effect on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in an inflammatory process. A variety of functional in vitro studies revealed that miR-126 was able to prevent endothelial apoptosis after inflammatory stimulation, as well as promote EC migration and tube formation through autophagy upregulation. The latter was supported by in vivo studies demonstrating that treatment with hiPSC-EC-EV can upregulate autophagy in mouse carotid artery ECs, thereby preventing IH and modulating vascular homeostasis via remodeling of the vascular intima. Our findings suggest a regulatory mechanism for the therapeutic effect on arterial restenosis by autophagy regulation, and provide a potential strategy for clinical treatment of the disease.
Computed tomography angiography/magnetic resonance imaging-based preprocedural planning and guidance in the interventional treatment of structural heart disease
Authors: Bertsche Dagmar , Rottbauer Wolfgang , Rasche Volker , Buckert Dominik , Markovic Sinisa , Metze Patrick , Gonska Birgid , Luo Erfei , Dahme Tillman , Vernikouskaya Ina , Schneider Leonhard M.
Published: October 2022

Preprocedural planning and periprocedural guidance based on image fusion are widely established techniques supporting the interventional treatment of structural heart disease. However, these two techniques are typically used independently. Previous works have already demonstrated the benefits of integrating planning details into image fusion but are limited to a few applications and the availability of the proprietary tools used. We propose a vendor-independent approach to integrate planning details into periprocedural image fusion facilitating guidance during interventional treatment. In this work, we demonstrate the feasibility of integrating planning details derived from computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging into periprocedural image fusion with open-source and commercially established tools. The integration of preprocedural planning details into periprocedural image fusion has the potential to support safe and efficient interventional treatment of structural heart disease.
Congenitally corrected transposition with left ventricular outflow obstruction and cardiac malposition: One-and-a-half ventricular repair vs. Fontan pathway?
Authors: Liu Rui , Pang Kunjing , Rui Lu , Zhang Benqing , Wang Chao , Li Shoujun
Published: October 2022

Objectives

This study was to assess the mid-term results of the one-and-a-half ventricular repair (hemi-Mustard and bidirectional Glenn procedures combined with the Rastelli procedure) and Fontan pathway for correcting congenitally corrected transposition of great artery (ccTGA) patients with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) and cardiac malposition.

Methods

In this retrospective study, 74 consecutive ccTGA with LVOTO and cardiac malposition underwent the one-and-a-half ventricular repair (group A; 33 cases) and Fontan operation (group B; 41 cases) between October 2011 and March 2018. The Median follow-up time was 49 (20–84) and 42 (7–85) months in groups A and B, respectively. To estimate excise tolerance the 6-min walk test (MWT) was performed.

Results

No in-hospital death. Compared with group A, group B have significantly less CPB, mechanical ventilation time, and intensive care unit stay, but prolonged pleural effusions developed more frequently in Group B. The survival probability was 90.2% (95% CI, 80.2–100%) and 97.2% (95% CI, 92–100%) at 7 years (p = 0.300) in group A and B. The probability of freedom from re-intervention were 80.6% (95% CI, 66.5–97.6%) and 97.2% (95% CI, 92–100%) at 7 years (p = 0.110). Longitudinal repeated measured echo data at every follow-up time shows that group A has more systemic ventricular EF% (p < 0.001) and less moderate systemic ventricular valve regurgitation (p < 0.001) compared with group B. Estimated by 6 MWT, group A has better outcomes for 6-min walk distance.

Conclusions

For correction of ccTGA with LVOTO and cardiac malposition, the one-and-a-half ventricular repair had superior midterm heart function and excise tolerance.
Correlation of left ventricular myocardial work indices with invasive measurement of stroke work in patients with advanced heart failure
Authors: Landra Federico , Mandoli Giulia Elena , Chiantini Benedetta , Barilli Maria , Merello Giacomo , De Carli Giuseppe , Sciaccaluga Carlotta , Lisi Matteo , Flamigni Filippo , D’Ascenzi Flavio , Focardi Marta , Fineschi Massimo , Iadanza Alessandro , Bernazzali Sonia , Maccherini Massimo , Valente Serafina , Cameli Matteo
Published: October 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the correlation between left ventricular (LV) myocardial work (MW) indices and invasively-derived LV stroke work index (SWI) in a cohort of patients with advanced heart failure (AHF) considered for heart transplantation.

Background

Left ventricular MW has emerged as a promising tool for diagnostic and prognostic purposes in heart failure (HF) but its relationship with hemodynamic data derived from right heart catheterization (RHC) has not been assessed in patients with advanced heart failure yet.

Materials and methods

Consecutive patients with AHF considered for heart transplantation from 2016 to 2021 performing RHC and echocardiography as part of the workup were included. Conventional LV functional parameters and LV MW indices, including LV global work index (GWI), LV global constructive work (GCW), LV global wasted work (GWW), LV global work efficiency (GWE), and other were calculated and compared with invasively-measured LV SWI.

Results

The population included 44 patients. Median time between RHC and echocardiography was 0 days (IQR: 0–24). Median age was 60 years (IQR: 54–63). For the most part, etiology of HF was non-ischemic (61.4%) and all patients were either on class NYHA II (61.4%) or III (27.3%). Median left ventricular ejection fraction was 25% (IQR: 22.3–32.3), median NT-proBNP 1,377 pg/ml (IQR: 646–2570). LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) significantly correlated with LV SWI (r = –0.337; p = 0.031), whereas, LV ejection fraction (EF) did not (r = 0.308; p = 0.050). With regard to LV MW indices, some of them demonstrated correlation with LV SWI, particularly LV GWI (r = 0.425; p = 0.006), LV GCW (r = 0.506; p = 0.001), LV global positive work (LV GPW; r = 0.464; p = 0.003) and LV global systolic constructive work (GSCW; r = 0.471; p = 0.002).

Conclusion

Among LV MW indices, LV GCW correlated better with invasively-derived SWI, potentially representing a powerful tool for a more comprehensive evaluation of myocardial function.
SARS-CoV-2 infection causes prolonged cardiomyocyte swelling and inhibition of HIF1α translocation in an animal model COVID-19
Authors: Daems Margo , Liesenborghs Laurens , Boudewijns Robbert , Simmonds Steven J. , Kraisin Sirima , Van Wauwe Jore , Cuijpers Ilona , Raman Jana , Geuens Nadèche , Buyten Tina Van , Lox Marleen , Verhamme Peter , Van Linthout Sophie , Martinod Kimberly , Heymans Stephane , Tschöpe Carsten , Neyts Johan , Jones Elizabeth A. V.
Published: October 2022

Recovered COVID-19 patients often display cardiac dysfunction, even after a mild infection. Most current histological results come from patients that are hospitalized and therefore represent more severe outcomes than most COVID-19 patients face. To overcome this limitation, we investigated the cardiac effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a hamster model. SARS-CoV-2 infected hamsters developed diastolic dysfunction after recovering from COVID-19. Histologically, increased cardiomyocyte size was present at the peak of viral load and remained at all time points investigated. As this increase is too rapid for hypertrophic remodeling, we found instead that the heart was oedemic. Moreover, cardiomyocyte swelling is associated with the presence of ischemia. Fibrin-rich microthrombi and pericyte loss were observed at the peak of viral load, resulting in increased HIF1α in cardiomyocytes. Surprisingly, SARS-CoV-2 infection inhibited the translocation of HIF1α to the nucleus both in hamster hearts, in cultured cardiomyocytes, as well as in an epithelial cell line. We propose that the observed diastolic dysfunction is the consequence of cardiac oedema, downstream of microvascular cardiac ischemia. Additionally, our data suggest that inhibition of HIF1α translocation could contribute to an exaggerated response upon SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The relationship between Type D personality with atherosclerotic plaque and cardiovascular events: The mediation effect of inflammation and kynurenine/tryptophan metabolism
Authors: Wang Yini , Liu Guojie , Zhao Zhenjuan , Li Ling , Yin Shi , Sun Xiao , Yu Bo , Gao Xueqin , Lin Ping , Yang Yanjie
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Cardiovascular events and coronary plaque vulnerability are linked to Type D personality. However, the fundamental mechanism has not been clarified. Our study determined to illustrate whether inflammatory status in plasma, in combination with kynurenine pathway activity in Type D individuals, is associated with plaque vulnerability and cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Materials and methods

The Type D personality of 177 CAD patients were evaluated. Plasma biomarkers of inflammation (TNF-α, IL-6, and hs-CRP) were measured and pooled into standardized sumscores. Tryptophan and kynurenine metabolites were measured, and the kynurenine/tryptophan ratio (KTR) was calculated. Plaque vulnerability was measured in vivo by optical coherence tomography. All patients had a follow up of 2 years in which cardiovascular adverse events were recorded.

Results

Type D individuals exhibited elevated TNF-α (p = 0.007), IL-6 (p = 0.049), inflammation sumscores (p = 0.002), kynurenine (p = 0.008), and KTR (p = 0.005) than non-Type D group. The serial-multiple mediation showed that the Type D personality with a direct, favorable impact on plaque vulnerability, including thin cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) (point estimate = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.09–1.53), macrophages (point estimate = 0.79; 95% CI = 0.05–1.51), and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (point estimate = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.08–1.70). In addition, the standardized inflammation sumscores and KTR were mediators of the Type D personality associations with TCFA, macrophages and MACE.

Conclusion

These results demonstrated that the connection between Type D personality and poor cardiovascular outcomes in CAD patients can be mediated by pro-inflammatory biomarkers and KTR.
Developing and evaluating week 2 and weeks 3-4 outlook tools for extratropical storminess
Authors: Chang Edmund K. M. , Pan Yutong , Wang Wanqiu , Zheng Cheng
Published: October 2022

Extratropical cyclones give rise to most of the high impact weather in the mid-to high-latitudes during the cool seasons, including heavy precipitation and strong winds. Thus it is important for stakeholders to be informed of approaching periods of increased or decreased cyclone activity. While individual cyclone tracks can be predicted out to about a week or so, from week 2 on, statistics summarizing cyclone activity, or storminess, are more useful. Storminess can be defined based on Lagrangian cyclone tracking or by Eulerian variance statistics. The outlook includes a combination of both methods. Lagrangian cyclone tracks provide information about where cyclones pass through and are more intuitive to users, while Eulerian variance statistics have been shown to be highly correlated with cyclone-related weather and are expected to be more predictable given that they are not as noisy. In this paper, we evaluate a storminess outlook tool developed based on dynamical model forecasts in the week-2 and weeks 3-4 time ranges. The outlook uses two 6-hourly subseasonal ensemble forecasts–the Global Ensemble Forecast System version 12 (GEFSv12), and the coupled Climate Forecast System version 2 (CFSv2). Hindcasts and operational forecasts from 1999–2016 are used to assess the prediction skill. Our results show that the GEFSv12 and CFSv2 combined ensemble has higher skill than either individual ensemble. The combined ensemble shows some skill in predicting cyclone amplitude and frequency out to weeks 3-4, with highest skill in winter, and lowest skill in summer. Models also show some skill in predicting the statistics of deep cyclones for week 2. The prediction skills for an Eulerian sea level pressure variance storminess metric is significantly higher than those for Lagrangian track statistics. Our results also show that GEFSv12 performs better than its predecessor GEFSv11. Correlations between the storminess indices and surface weather, including precipitation and high winds, are examined. A publicly accessible web page has been developed to display the subseasonal predictions in real time. The web page also contains information on climatology and forecast verification to enable users to make more informed use of the outlook.
Cisapride induced hypoglycemia via the KCNH6 potassium channel
Authors: Lu Jing , Shi Ting-Ting , Yuan Sha-Sha , Xie Rong-Rong , Zhao Ru-Xuan , Zhu Juan-Juan , Yang Jin-Kui
Published: October 2022

Mutations in KCNH6 has been proved to cause hypoinsulinemia and diabetes in human and mice. Cisapride is a stomach–intestinal motility drug used to treat gastrointestinal dysfunction. Cisapride has been reported to be a potential inhibitor of the KCNH family, but it remained unclear whether cisapride inhibited KCNH6. Here, we discovered the role of cisapride on glucose metabolism, focusing on the KCNH6 potassium channel protein. Cisapride reduced blood glucose level and increased serum insulin secretion in wild-type (WT) mice fed standard normal chow/a high-fat diet or in db/db mice, especially when combined with tolbutamide. This effect was much stronger after 4 weeks of intraperitoneal injection. Whole-cell patch-clamp showed that cisapride inhibited KCNH6 currents in transfected HEK293 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Cisapride induced an increased insulin secretion through the disruption of intracellular calcium homeostasis in a rat pancreatic β-cell line, INS-1E. Further experiments revealed that cisapride did not decrease blood glucose or increase serum insulin in KCNH6 β-cell knockout (Kcnh6-β-KO) mice when compared with WT mice. Cisapride also ameliorated glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in response to high glucose in WT but not Kcnh6-β-KO mice. Thus, our data reveal a novel way for the effect of KCNH6 in cisapride-induced hypoglycemia.
Treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus using the traditional Chinese medicine Jinlida as an add-on medication: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Zhao Xuemin , Liu Linfei , Liu Jing
Published: October 2022

Background

Numerous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in China have shown that jinlida granules are a promising traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Controversial results have been reported in different RCTs. The aim of our study was to evaluate the adjuvant hypoglycemic effect of jinlida granules on persons with T2DM and to explore the source of heterogeneity between these RCTs.

Materials and methods

Medical article databases were individually searched by two authors for RCTs that provided data regarding the effect of jinlida granules in the treatment of T2DM before 1 June 2022. The methodological quality of the included RCTs was comprehensively assessed by two authors. Data from RCTs with low risk of bias were pooled using Stata SE 12.0 (random-effects model). Evidence derived from the meta-analysis will be assessed according to the GRADE system.

Results

Twenty-two RCTs were eventually included in the systematic review and three RCTs with low risk of bias were analyzed in the meta-analysis. Compared with the control groups, significant changes were found in lowering glycosylated hemoglobin a1c (mean difference -0.283 with 95% CI -0.561, -0.004; P=0.046), and were not found in lowering 2-hour postprandial glucose (mean difference -0.314 with 95% CI -1.599, 0.972; P=0.632) and fasting blood glucose (mean difference -0.152 with 95% CI -0.778, -0.474; P=0.634) in the jinlida groups. The GRADE-assessed evidence quality for the outcomes was moderate.

Conclusion

The adjuvant hypoglycemic effect of jinlida granules on adult Chinese persons with T2DM was statistically found in lowering HbA1c and was not statistically found in lowering FPG and 2h-PG. Evidence grading should be considered moderate, and the results should be interpreted cautiously. Whether the efficacy of HbA1c-lowering related to clinical significance remains to be investigated in future RCTs. Differences in HbA1c, FPG and 2h-PG at baseline and high risk of bias were important source of heterogeneity between these RCTs. In order to objectively evaluate the efficacy of jinlida granules on T2DM, it is urgently needed that high-quality RCTs evaluating the hypoglycemic effect of jinlida granules in the treatment of qi-yin deficiency pattern T2DM.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42018085135.
Preliminary experience with the EleVision IR system in detection of parathyroid glands autofluorescence and perfusion assessment with ICG
Authors: Makovac Petra , Muradbegovic Mirza , Mathieson Timothy , Demarchi Marco S. , Triponez Frédéric
Published: October 2022

Background

Postoperative hypoparathyroidism remains the most frequent complication of neck endocrine surgery. In order to reduce the incidence of this feared complication, several systems for imaging of near infrared autofluorescence (NIRAF) have been invented to help surgeons identify parathyroid glands (PTGs) and evaluate their vascularization. We evaluated the efficacy of the EleVision IR system in thyroid and parathyroid surgery.

Methods

We used the EleVision IR system in 25 patients who underwent thyroid/parathyroid surgery or both at our institution between December 2020 and July 2021. At various stages of the surgery, the surgeon first looked for PTGs with the naked eye and then completed the visual inspection with NIRAF imaging. We then compared both the naked eye and NIRAF-supported PTGs detection rates. At the end of surgery, we performed indocyanine green angiography of PTGs in 17 patients.

Results

In total, we identified 80% of PTGs: 65% with the naked eye only and additional 15% with the assistance of the EleVision IR system. 14 of 17 patients evaluated by ICG angiography had at least one well-vascularized PTG. Only one of these patients (a case of subtotal parathyroidectomy for tertiary hyperparathyroidism) developed symptomatic postoperative hypocalcemia despite a normal parathormone level. The three other patients had at least one remaining moderately-vascularized PTG and only one patient developed transient postoperative hypoparathyroidism.

Conclusion

We concluded that EleVision IR provides an efficient support for identification and evaluation of PTGs, and may be of great assistance in endocrine surgery. The images are easy to interpret even for less experienced surgeons thanks to the different types of color visualization and the possibility to measure the relative fluorescence intensity of PTGs and surrounding tissues.
Waste management within the scope of environmental public awareness based on cross-sectional survey and social interviews
Authors: Zhou Yang , İnce Fatma , Teng Haikun , Kaabar Mohammed K. A. , Xu Jiajun , Yue Xiao-Guang
Published: October 2022

Since the natural resources of the world are not unlimited, the effective use of resources and the access of future generations to these resources concern all societies on a global scale. From this point of view, waste management strategies should be examined in terms of medical, household, and other waste types. Thereby, this study aims to examine the level of public awareness in waste management by studying the perception, perspective, practice about waste’s aspects. The survey in this study mentions questions on waste management knowledge, public awareness, and behaviors among social interviews of pharmacy students receiving laboratory training in the field of health. Internal consistency reliability is used to verify the uniformity of questions in this study. Pearson correlation, t-test, and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) are performed to study the differences between groups. The results of the data analysis show that public awareness and waste management knowledge, public awareness, and behaviors have a significant positive correlation, which provides us with a good basis for designing environmental strategies. The first module’s outcomes of the questionnaire reveal a high degree of waste management among students. On the contrary, woman participants demonstrate a higher public awareness and application of the environment. Furthermore, there are significant correlations between the other modules and demographic factors with family education. According to the results, the public awareness of the participants who were members of an environmental organization is different from others. Finally, the participants state that the problem of not managing wastes effectively causes the most damage to the soil and all other natural resources after water.
Carbonate mineral controls the transport of Cd from tailings to surrounding soils: An example from Cd-rich Niujiaotang Zn mine in Guizhou Province, Southwest China
Authors: Guo Zidong , Gu Shangyi , Li Qingguang , Zhang Tianyi , Xie Xiaofeng , Zhao Fengqi
Published: October 2022

Heavy metal pollution derived from the oxidation of sulfides in Pb-Zn mine tailings has been a common public concern. Although the oxidative dissolution of sphalerite will release cadmium into the soil environment, it is still unclear whether other minerals contain a large amount of cadmium and how much these minerals contribute to the surrounding environmental media. In this paper, XRD, particle size analyzer, SEM-EDS and improved BCR sequential extraction method were used to analyze cadmium rich zinc mine tailing and adjacent farmland soil in Duyun, Guizhou Province. The results show that the average contents of Pb, Zn, and Cd in tailing are 214 ± 71 mg/kg, 2668 ± 773 mg/kg, and 37.5 ± 9.97 mg/kg respectively. While in the surrounding soil, they were 519 ± 280 mg/kg, 3,779 ± 2614 mg/kg, and 30.8 ± 14.4 mg/kg respectively. The mineralogical composition of tailing is mainly dolomite and less pyrite. Cadmium in tailing is mainly in weak acid extractable state, indicating that cadmium mainly exists in dolomite of tailing. Pyrite in tailing generates acid through oxidation, which accelerates the dissolution of dolomite, thus releasing Cd from minerals and migrating to surrounding farmland, resulting in soil cadmium pollution. This study reveals an important process that has been neglected. Carbonate minerals play an important role in the migration of cadmium in the tailing of the Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) lead-zinc mine and the soils affected by the tailing.
Species conflict at Earth’s edges – Contests, climate, and coveted resources
Authors: Berger Joel , Biel Mark , Hayes Forest P.
Published: October 2022

Direct conflict between species is an infrequently witnessed biological phenomenon. Potential drivers of such contests can include climate change, especially at Earth’s high elevation and latitudinal extremes where temperatures warm 2–5 times faster than elsewhere and hydro-geomorphic processes such as glacial recession and soil erosion affect species access to abiotic resources. We addressed a component of this broader issue by empirical assessments of mammalian conflict over access to four abiotic resources – minerals, water, snow, and shade – by annotation of past studies and by empirical data collection. Evidence for Nearctic and Palearctic mammals indicates that when desert waters are in short supply, contests intensify, generally favoring larger species regardless of their status as native or exotic. Our empirical data indicate that contests between two large and approximately similarly-sized mammals – mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) and bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) – along a 2,500 km gradient at three high-altitude (above tree-line) sites in the Rocky Mountains of North America, result in striking asymmetries; goats dominated > 95% of interactions. Despite far fewer observations of encounters to access shade or snow patches, an increasingly prominent dialog needs to be held about rarely explored biological phenomena where less is known than we might otherwise presume, whether induced by climate or increasing anthropological alteration because of underpinnings to understand community structure and conservation planning. Observations on the frequency and intensity by which individuals escalate behavior to access abiotic resources remains an underappreciated arena to help identify the proximate importance of scarcity in the natural environment. Notwithstanding Darwin’s prediction some 165 years ago that populations in extreme environments (high-latitude, high-altitude) are more likely to be impacted by abiotic variables than biotic, conflict between species may be reflective of climate degradation coupled with the changing nature of coveted resources.
Improved Nanopore full-length cDNA sequencing by PCR-suppression
Authors: Bayega Anthony , Oikonomopoulos Spyros , Wang Yu Chang , Ragoussis Jiannis
Published: October 2022

Full-length transcript sequencing remains a main goal of RNA sequencing. However, even the application of long-read sequencing technologies such as Oxford Nanopore Technologies still fail to yield full-length transcript sequencing for a significant portion of sequenced reads. Since these technologies can sequence reads that are far longer than the longest known processed transcripts, the lack of efficiency to obtain full-length transcripts from good quality RNAs stems from library preparation inefficiency rather than the presence of degraded RNA molecules. It has previously been shown that addition of inverted terminal repeats in cDNA during reverse transcription followed by single-primer PCR creates a PCR suppression effect that prevents amplification of short molecules thus enriching the library for longer transcripts. We adapted this method for Nanopore cDNA library preparation and show that not only is PCR efficiency increased but gene body coverage is dramatically improved. The results show that implementation of this simple strategy will result in better quality full-length RNA sequencing data and make full-length transcript sequencing possible for most of sequenced reads.
Expression and mechanisms of interferon-stimulated genes in viral infection of the central nervous system (CNS) and neurological diseases
Authors: Lang Rui , Li Huiting , Luo Xiaoqin , Liu Cencen , Zhang Yiwen , Guo ShunYu , Xu Jingyi , Bao Changshun , Dong Wei , Yu Yang
Published: October 2022

Interferons (IFNs) bind to cell surface receptors and activate the expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) through intracellular signaling cascades. ISGs and their expression products have various biological functions, such as antiviral and immunomodulatory effects, and are essential effector molecules for IFN function. ISGs limit the invasion and replication of the virus in a cell-specific and region-specific manner in the central nervous system (CNS). In addition to participating in natural immunity against viral infections, studies have shown that ISGs are essential in the pathogenesis of CNS disorders such as neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of this review is to present a macroscopic overview of the characteristics of ISGs that restrict viral neural invasion and the expression of the ISGs underlying viral infection of CNS cells. Furthermore, we elucidate the characteristics of ISGs expression in neurological inflammation, neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression as well as neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Finally, we summarize several ISGs (ISG15, IFIT2, IFITM3) that have been studied more in recent years for their antiviral infection in the CNS and their research progress in neurological diseases.
Case report: Reproductive organ preservation and subsequent pregnancy for an infertility patient with lynch syndrome-associated synchronous endometrial cancer and colon cancer after treatment with a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor
Authors: Cao Di , Gao Yu , Zhang Rong-xin , Wang Fu-long , Li Cong , Wu Miao-qing , Liu Yi-fan , Li Dan-dan , Chen Gong
Published: October 2022

Currently, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are the mainstay of treatment for Lynch syndrome patients. However, the tumor regression features in radiology and pathology are inconsistent for patients who are treated with ICIs, which sometimes confuses surgical decision-making. Here, we report a case in which a 36-year-old patient suffering from infertility was diagnosed with Lynch syndrome-associated synchronous endometrial cancer and colon cancer, and persistently enlarged left iliac paravascular lymph nodes were detected after receiving sintilimab treatment, a programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) receptor inhibitor. Fortunately, when she was about to undergo hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, intraoperative pathology examination did not reveal any cancer cells in these lymph nodes, and therefore, her reproductive organs were preserved. Later, the patient successfully conceived and gave birth to a healthy male neonate with no immune-related adverse events (irAEs) during an 11-month follow-up. This case indicates that surgeons should carefully inspect the imaging characteristics after immunotherapy and that organ preservation is possible even for patients who fail to achieve complete clinical regression, which is especially important for female patients of childbearing age.
High levels of PF4, VEGF-A, and classical monocytes correlate with the platelets count and inflammation during active tuberculosis
Authors: Urbán-Solano Alexia , Flores-Gonzalez Julio , Cruz-Lagunas Alfredo , Pérez-Rubio Gloria , Buendia-Roldan Ivette , Ramón-Luing Lucero A. , Chavez-Galan Leslie
Published: October 2022

Platelets play a major role in coagulation and hemostasis; evidence supports the hypothesis that they also contribute to immunological processes. Increased platelet counts have been associated with poor prognosis in tuberculosis (TB). Platelet–monocyte aggregates have been reported in patients with TB, but it is still unclear if only one monocyte subpopulation is correlated to the platelet count; moreover, the platelet–monocyte axis has not been studied during latent tuberculosis (LTB). In this study, mononuclear cells and plasma were obtained from patients diagnosed with active drug-sensitive TB (DS-TB, n = 10) and LTB (n = 10); cytokines and growth factors levels associated to platelets were evaluated, and correlations with monocyte subpopulations were performed to identify a relationship between them, as well as an association with the degree of lung damage. Our data showed that, compared to LTB, DS-TB patients had an increased frequency of platelets, monocytes, and neutrophils. Although DS-TB patients showed no significant difference in the frequency of classical and non-classical monocytes, the classical monocytes had increased CD14 intensity of expression and frequency of TLR-2+. Furthermore, the plasma levels of angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB), and platelet factor-4 (PF4), and pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and interferon-γ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) were increased in DS-TB patients. In addition, PF-4 and VEGF-A correlated positively with the frequency of classical monocytes and the platelet count. Using a principal component analysis, we identified four groups of DS-TB patients according to their levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, angiogenic factors, and degree of lung damage. This study establishes that there is a correlation between VEGF-A and PF4 with platelets and classical monocytes during active TB, suggesting that those cell subpopulations are the major contributors of these molecules, and together, they control the severity of lung damage by amplification of the inflammatory environment.
Major pathways involved in macrophage polarization in cancer
Authors: Kerneur Clément , Cano Carla E. , Olive Daniel
Published: October 2022

Macrophages play an important role in tissue homeostasis, tissue remodeling, immune response, and progression of cancer. Consequently, macrophages exhibit significant plasticity and change their transcriptional profile and function in response to environmental, tissue, and inflammatory stimuli resulting in pro- and anti-tumor effects. Furthermore, the categorization of tissue macrophages in inflammatory situations remains difficult; however, there is an agreement that macrophages are predominantly polarized into two different subtypes with pro- and anti-inflammatory properties, the so-called M1-like and M2-like macrophages, respectively. These two macrophage classes can be considered as the extreme borders of a continuum of many intermediate subsets. On one end, M1 are pro-inflammatory macrophages that initiate an immunological response, damage tissue integrity, and dampen tumor progression by fostering robust T and natural killer (NK) cell anti-tumoral responses. On the other end, M2 are anti-inflammatory macrophages involved in tissue remodeling and tumor growth, that promote cancer cell proliferation, invasion, tumor metastasis, angiogenesis and that participate to immune suppression. These decisive roles in tumor progression occur through the secretion of cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and matrix metalloproteases, as well as by the expression of immune checkpoint receptors in the case of M2 macrophages. Moreover, macrophage plasticity is supported by stimuli from the Tumor Microenvironment (TME) that are relayed to the nucleus through membrane receptors and signaling pathways that result in gene expression reprogramming in macrophages, thus giving rise to different macrophage polarization outcomes. In this review, we will focus on the main signaling pathways involved in macrophage polarization that are activated upon ligand-receptor recognition and in the presence of other immunomodulatory molecules in cancer.
Diagnostic value of RDW for the prediction of mortality in adult sepsis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wu Hongsheng , Liao Biling , Cao Tiansheng , Ji Tengfei , Huang Jianbin , Ma Keqiang
Published: October 2022

Background

Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a common biomarker of bacterial infections, and it can be easily obtained from a routine blood test. We investigate the diagnostic value of RDW for the prediction of mortality in adult sepsis patients through a review and meta-analysis. We registered this review in PROSPERO (Registration Number: CRD42022357712), and the details of the registration are included in Appendix 1.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Springer, and Embase between Jan. 1, 2000, and May 30, 2022, for primary studies about this research. We collected articles that investigated RDW for varying degrees of sepsis patients—those who suffered from sepsis, severe sepsis, or sepsis shock. Studies of healthy people and sepsis of children and neonates were excluded from our research. The definition of study characteristics and data extraction were finished by two independent researchers and discrepancies resolved by consensus. The combined sensitivities and specificities were calculated by meta-analysis using STATA14.0. The sensitivity of the included studies was analyzed by excluding studies that had potential heterogeneity. A summary operating characteristic curve was made to evaluate the diagnostic value for the prediction of mortality in adult sepsis patients. The Fagan test was used to explore likelihood ratios and posttest probabilities. Finally, we investigated the source of heterogeneity using meta-regression.

Results

Twenty-four studies, including 40,763 cases altogether, were included in this analysis. Bivariate analysis indicated a combined sensitivity of 0.81 (95% CI 0.73–0.86) and specificity of 0.65 (95% CI 0.54–0.75). The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.81 (95% CI 0.77–0.84). Substantial heterogeneity resided in the studies (I2 =96.68, 95% CI 95.95–97.4). Meta-regression showed that the reference description, prospective design, and blinded interpretation of the included studies could be responsible for the heterogeneity.

Conclusions

RWD is an available and valuable biomarker for prediction of mortality in adult sepsis patients.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42022357712.
Artificial modifications lead to the formation of persistent bare patches in saltmarshes
Authors: Wang Qing , Shao Dongdong , Cui Baoshan , Ren Ze , Ning Zhonghua , Gao Fang , Wang Andong
Published: October 2022

Human activities have profoundly affected coastal wetlands. Apart from direct occupation, indirect influences are usually caused by modifications to environmental conditions, which are various and complex. Saltmarsh bare patches might be related to these artificial modifications. They have little or no vegetation cover and lose some important functions. Hence, the mechanisms underlying saltmarsh bare patches and the effects of artificial modifications should be studied. We took the Yellow River Delta as our research object and explored the characteristics of saltmarsh bare patches in the Yellow River Estuary Natural Reserve. Our results show that artificial modifications limit some key plant life stages and thus hinder the natural regeneration process. Once suffering from fatal events, such as long-term inundation or artificial damage, this limitation will lead to the formation of persistent bare patches in saltmarshes. First, a shortage of local seed sources will be induced by the death of local plants when they are affected by a fatal event. Second, the replenishment of external seeds is often constrained by dikes and dams. Third, construction activities and the prolonged high-water inundation events can lead to soil compaction and the lack of microtopographic heterogeneity, which will hinder the retention and anchorage of seeds. Overall, it is essential to realize the underlying mechanisms of persistent bare patches and their potential to be included in cost-effective restoration or management plans.