bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The spatiotemporal changes of urban thermal environment influenced by landscape patterns—based on panel data model
Authors: Chen Ting , Ren Zhibin , Fu Yao , Liu Chang
Published: March 2024

With the development of urbanization, the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of the urban landscape pattern play a decisive role in the intensity of the urban heat island (UHI) effect. Most of the current dynamic studies utilizing single cross-section data are labor-intensive and lack continuity. A panel data model was constructed to study the relationship between the urban heat island effect and landscape pattern in Kunming from 1995 to 2020 at four different scales. An ordinary least squares model was constructed to verify the reliability of the panel data model results. The results indicate: (1) Kunming City's landscape pattern has undergone significant changes over time, with an increase in artificial patches and a decrease in natural patches; (2) The UHI effect in Kunming City is evident, with the low-temperature zone gradually decreasing to disappearance and a significant increase in the high-temperature zone; (3) With an increase in scale, the number of influencing variables continues to grow, and the impact of artificial patches gradually intensifies;(4) The normalized difference water index (NDWI) has the greatest influence on the surface thermal radiance, and the cooling effect is more obvious with the increase in scale. Unlike previous studies, the spatial configuration of the landscape in Kunming City had a stronger effect on the UHI effect than the landscape grouping and vegetation index;(5) This paper introduces the panel data model into the discussion of the UHI for the first time, providing a new method for better understanding the changing patterns of the urban thermal environment.
Endoscopic Evacuation of Supratentorial Hematoma: a Hemostatic Strategy for Surgeons
Authors: lan tiancai , yang changjin , ye yuanliang , zhu jiale , wei ruixiang , Wang Chuanming , Ma Guirong
Published: March 2024

Endoscopic hematoma evacuation has become well received for its high evacuation rate in patients with intracerebral hematoma. Effective hemostatic procedure is the key to the success of the procedure. Any single method cannot solve all kinds of intraoperative bleeding. The key to hemostasis is to identify the type of bleeding and take the best hemostasis method during endoscopic surgery. In our study, sixty-two intracerebral hemorrhage patients who underwent endoscopic hematoma evacuations were analyzed. Intraoperative bleeding was graded as Grades 0, 1, 2 and 3 based on characteristics of bleeding. A hemostatic strategy was created from the grading system. The efficiency was evaluated by operation time, evacuation rate, and re-bleeding rate after surgery. Procedure safety was evaluated by mortality rate and postoperative complications. We found that endoscopic removal of putamen hematoma was more prone to intraoperative bleeding (p = 0.00). Active bleeding occurred in early operative stage and errhysis happen in later stage (p = 0.00). Average evacuation rate was 95.61% and the mortality rate was 3.23%. The mean Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) score at 6-month follow-up was 3.77 ± 1.12. No patient experienced postoperative re-bleeding. These findings indicated that most patients will experience different degrees of intraoperative bleeding during endoscopic hematoma evacuation. A hemostatic strategy based on intraoperative bleeding grade resulted in efficiency and safety.
Atypical effective connectivity from the frontal cortex to striatum in alcohol use disorder
Authors: Zhang Xiaochu , Song Hongwen , Yang Ping , Zhang Xinyue , Tao Rui , Zuo Lin , Liu Weili , Fu Jiaxin , Kong Zhuo , Tang Rui , Wu Siyu , Pang Liangjun
Published: March 2024

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a profound psychiatric condition marked by disrupted connectivity among distributed brain regions, indicating impaired functional integration. Previous connectome studies utilizing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have predominantly focused on undirected functional connectivity, while the specific alterations in directed effective connectivity (EC) associated with AUD remain unclear. To address this issue, this study utilized multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) and spectral dynamic causal modeling (DCM). We recruited 32 abstinent men with AUD and 30 healthy controls (HCs) men, and collected their resting-state fMRI data. A regional homogeneity (ReHo)-based multivariate pattern analysis method was employed to classify AUD and HC groups, as well as predict the severity of addiction in AUD individuals. The most informative brain regions identified by the multivariate pattern analysis were further investigated using spectral DCM. Our results indicated that the ReHo-based support vector classification (SVC) exhibits the highest accuracy in distinguishing individuals with AUD from HCs (Classification accuracy: 98.57%). Additionally, our results demonstrated that ReHo-based support vector regression (SVR) could be utilized to predict the addiction severity (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, AUDIT, R2 = 0.38; Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test, MAST, R2 = 0.29) of patients with AUD. The most informative brain regions for the prediction include left pre-SMA, right dACC, right LOFC, right putamen, and right NACC. These findings were validated in an independent data set (35 patients with AUD and 36 HCs, Classification accuracy: 91.67%; AUDIT, R2 = 0.17; MAST, R2 = 0.20). The results of spectral DCM analysis indicated that individuals with AUD exhibited decreased effective connectivity from the left pre-SMA to the right putamen, from the right dACC to the right putamen, and from the right LOFC to the right NACC compared to HCs. Moreover, the effective connectivity strength from the right NACC to left pre-SMA and from the right dACC to right putamen mediated the relationship between addiction severity (MAST scores) and behavioral measures (impulsive and compulsive scores). These findings provide crucial evidence for the underlying mechanism of impaired self-control, risk assessment, and impulsive and compulsive alcohol consumption in individuals with AUD, providing novel causal insights into both diagnosis and treatment.
RETRACTED: Comparison of Application of MCM and GUM in Evaluation of Measurement Uncertainty of Photoelectric Cup-Wind Speed Sensor
Authors: Wei Mingming , Chong Wei , Li Fen , Zou Li , Zhou Taocheng , Zheng Debin
Published: March 2024

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Safety evaluation of Indocalamu leaves based on acute toxicity, harmful heavy metals, and 9 organochlorine residue determination
Authors: Liu Miyan , Li Xiaofen , Wang Xiangpei , Zhang Lingling , Yang Xiaosong , Yang Xianyou , Wu Hongmei
Published: March 2024

To investigate the safety of zongzi leaves sold in the market, a study was conducted using zongzi leaves randomly collected from an online store and a large supermarket. Acute toxicity experiments were performed on mice, and their body weight was monitored for 14 days after administration. After the observation period, blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis, and organ pathology was examined. Then, the content of copper, lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, and the residues of nine organochlorine pesticides in zongzi leaves were measured according to the national standard GB/T5009-2003 and the residue determination method in the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The results showed that the mice in the zongzi leaf (online store) group experienced mortality and severe liver and lung damage. The levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, and the nine organochlorine pesticides met the relevant standards and regulations. However, the copper content in the zongzi leaf (supermarket) group was nearly 80 times higher than that in the online store group. Mice in the zongzi leaf (supermarket) group remained healthy without any abnormalities, and the levels of harmful heavy metals and organochlorine pesticides complied with the standards and regulations. The study suggests the need for regulatory policies and safety standards for the sale of zongzi leaves.
Nomogram to Predict Clinical Outcome in FLT3-ITD Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Hong Lili , Hu Richeng , Guo Xiaoli , Yu Kang , Han Yixiang , Zhuang Haifeng , Shi Yifen
Published: March 2024

Background Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3-internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) mutation is a hematologic malignancy presenting with different clinical therapeutic outcomes and prognoses. Objective to explore clinical variables related to overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS), integrate these factors and build a nomogram model to evaluate the individual prognosis risk.Methods Some clinical variables were incorporated, including disease-related characteristics and individual factors. The independent prognostic factors associated with OS and RFS were established by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Statistically significant factors determined by multivariate Cox regression analysis were incorporated and integrated to develop nomogram model. The distinguishability and accuracy of the nomogram model were confirmed by the drawing of the concordance index (C index) and calibration curve.Results A total of 66 patients with FLT 3-ITD acute myeloid leukemia were selected for this study. Four variables: age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score (ECOG score), status of complete remission at the first time (CR1) and with favorable prognosis gene were included in the nomogram to predict OS. Two variables: status of complete remission at the first time (CR1) and with favorable prognosis gene were included in the nomogram to predict RFS. The nomogram with clinical variables showed good predictive ability, which was measured by C index (OS 0.80, RFS 0.87) and a calibration curve drawing.Conclusions A nomogram model for predicting the prognosis of OS and RFS in patients with FLT3-ITD AML was successfully established. This would help physicians to accurately assess individual prognosis risk and guide treatment.
Pollution Assessment and Index Properties of Okpulor Soils, Rivers State, Nigeria: Geochemical Characterization, Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Implications
Authors: Ahmed Nurudeen Onomhoale , Fagorite Victor Inumindun , Chikwado Aleke Godwin , Apata Moses Dolapo , Yunusa Luqman Jibril , Itiveh Emmanuel Samson , Biliaminu Zeenat Bisola
Published: March 2024

Soil, a vital biosphere component, is pivotal for human life, but its degradation adversely affects life quality. This study assessed soil pollution and index properties in Okpulor through geochemical, geotechnical, and geoenvironmental analyses. Twenty samples, comprising 14 surface and 6 shallow subsurface ones, underwent geochemical analysis for heavy metals (Fe, Cr, C, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Pb). Six geochemical models including Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Enrichment Factor (EF), Contamination Factor (CF), Metal Pollution Index (MPI), and Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI) were employed. Simultaneously, six subsurface samples underwent geotechnical analysis for Natural Moisture Content, Grain Size, Specific Gravity, Bulk Density, and Atterberg Limits according to USCS and AASHTO guidelines. The Igeo highlighted significant Cd contamination, urging Cd source reduction for environmental mitigation. EF above 1.5 revealed substantial anthropogenic influence, emphasizing human activity control. CF accentuated Cd's contribution, requiring specific attention in environmental management. The PERI stressed Cd's ecological risks, necessitating targeted interventions. Natural moisture revealed initial soil conditions affecting contaminant mobility. High content enhanced leaching, emphasizing potential water-soluble contaminant migration. Bulk density and specific gravity assessed soil compaction and permeability, vital for understanding contaminant movement. Atterberg limits provided insights into plasticity and moisture retention, influencing contaminant behavior. Grain size analysis characterized particle distribution, impacting porosity, permeability, and contaminant movement. The interplay between geotechnical and geochemical properties unveiled contamination risks, urging holistic environmental management in Okpulor. Comprehensive consideration of the soils geotechnical index properties in environmental studies provides a holistic view of soil-contaminant interactions, emphasizing the need for strategic environmental management in Okpulor.
Estimation of PM2.5 concentration in Yangquan city based on MODIS image and meteorological data and analysis of spatial and temporal variation
Authors: Yao qinfeng , Liu jinjun , Chen shenghua , Ning yongxiang , Du sunwen
Published: March 2024

This study employed Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)aerosol optical depth data meteoro logical data, Digital Elevation Model (DEM), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and ground monitoring data for particulate matter (PM2.5) to construct a model for estimating the PM2.5 concentration in Yangquan City, Shanxi Province, from 2018 to 2022. The spatial and temporal changes in the PM2.5 concentration were analyzed. The results revealed the following: (1) The random forest model was more accurate than the multiple linear regression model. The spring model R² increased by 59.7%, and The Root Mean Square Error(RMSE) decreased by 96.2%. The summer model R² increased by 110%, and the RMSE decreased by 96.3%. The autumn model R² increased by 12.4%, and the RMSE decreased by 95.3%. The winter model R² increased by 25%, and the RMSE decreased by 97.9%. (2) The concentration of PM2.5 decreased by 16.6 µg/m³ from 2018 to 2022. The highest concentration of PM2.5 was 55–85 µg/m³ in winter, and the lowest concentration of PM2.5 was 25–40 µg/m³ in summer. The spatial distribution ofPM2.5from the southwest to the northeast, first slightly decreased, then continued to rise, and then stabilized. From the northwest to the southeast, there was a low-middle and high-middle distribution pattern. The PM2.5 pollution was concentrated in the southern urban center and the main industrial areas.
Development and validation of a national clinical pharmacy competency framework for hospital pharmacists: a multi-method study
Authors: Stoll Jasmin Theresa , Böhmdorfer-McNair Birgit , Jeske Martina , Weidmann Anita Elaine
Published: March 2024

Background
Despite the publication of a European wide competency framework for hospital pharmacy by the European Association of Hospital Pharmacist (EAHP) in 2017, not all countries have adopted and implemented such a framework.
Aim
This study aimed to develop and validate a bespoke national hospital pharmacy competency framework that supports the hospital pharmacy workforce development.
Method
A multi-method study was carried out in three phases. (I) A systematic literature review across 48 websites of healthcare-related associations and six scientific databases was conducted, resulting in competency frameworks, guidelines and related documents. Eligibility screening was conducted by two researchers independently (JS/AEW) using the PRISMA standard. (II) Extracted behaviour competencies were reviewed for contextual national appropriateness by three researchers (JS/BBM/AEW) prior to mapping against the “Patient Care and Clinical Pharmacy Skills” domain of European Common Training Framework (CTF). (III) Validation of the resultant draft clinical skills competency framework took place by an expert panel discussion. Reporting of findings is aligned with the recommendations for reporting Competency Framework Development in health professions (CONFERD-HP guidelines) and the PRISMA 2020 checklist.
Results
The systematic review (SR) resulted in 28 frameworks, guidelines and related documents and the identification of 379 behaviour competencies, with nineteen mapped to the “Patient Care and Clinical Pharmacy Skills” domain of the CTF (after removal of duplicates). Expert panel discussion resulted in suggested changes to ensure contextual national appropriateness.
Conclusion
This multi-method approach resulted in the development and validation of the first clinical national pharmacy competency framework for Austria. Future studies should focus on political and practical structures necessary for its successful implementation.
Treatment and survival of analysis in patients with leptomeningeal metastasis from lung cancer
Authors: Lu Zhiqin , Zhou Tao , Zhong Congying , Hong Chen , Peng Duanyang , Wang Xia , Zeng Zhimin , Liu Anwen
Published: March 2024

Objectives: Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is a severe complication of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and portends a grim prognosis. This study aimed to retrospectively analyzed the diagnosis, treatment, and survival analysis of 173 patients with LM from NSCLC.
Materials and methods: We reviewed charts of 173 patients with diagnoses of LM from lung cancer (LC-LM) between May 2016 and May 2021. 173 patients who had unequivocal radiographic evidence comprised our “LM MRI+” cohort. Radiographic involvement (n=136) was scored by number of gadolinium-enhancing sites in 8 locations. Genetic testing of paired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma samples from 22 patients at the time of LM diagnosis using second-generation sequencing (NGS). Clinical outcomes were compared with Kaplan-Meier log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards methodologies.
Results: The median overall survival (OS) was 9.33 months (95% CI: 6.35‒12.31) with 77.5% maturity. 107 (61.8%) patients harbored a targetable mutation. Those with clinically actionable mutations were significantly longer OS than those without (6.30 vs 12.17 months; HR:0.63; 95% CI: 0.45-0.90; p=0.009). In the “LM MRI+” cohort, MRI site extent of radiographic involvement 3-4 sites was significantly shorter OS than that those involved 1-2 sites (3.77 vs 10.07 months; HR: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.02–3.31; p = 0.034). CSF was more sensitive than plasma and indicated the unique genetic profiles of LM. Multivariate analysis revealed that targetable mutations, PS, LM treat, and LM tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy were independent prognostic factors for LM.
Conclusions: Our study provides real-world clinical evidence that patients with MRI site extent of radiographic involvement 3-4 sites was significantly shorter OS than that those involved 1-2 sites and those with clinically actionable mutations were significantly longer OS than those without.
PHOTH-Graphene: A New 2D Carbon Allotrope with Low Barriers for Li-Ion Mobility
Authors: Santos E. A. J. , Lima K. A. L. , Mendonça F. L. L. , Silva D. A. , Giozza W. F. , Junior L.A. Ribeiro
Published: March 2024

The continued interest in 2D carbon allotropes stems from their unique structural and electronic characteristics, crucial for diverse applications. This work theoretically introduces PHOTH-Graphene (PHOTH-G), a novel 2D planar carbon allotrope formed by 4-5-6-7-8 carbon rings. PHOTH-G emerges as a narrow band gap semiconducting material with low formation energy, demonstrating good stability under thermal and mechanical conditions. This material has slight mechanical anisotropy with Young modulus and Poisson ratios varying between 7.08-167.8 GPa and 0.21-0.96. PHOTH-G presents optical activity restricted to the visible range. Li atoms adsorbed on its surface have a migration barrier averaging 0.38 eV.
SOCS domain targets ECM assembly in lung fibroblasts and experimental lung fibrosis
Authors: Magdaleno Carina , Tschumperlin Daniel J. , Rajasekaran Narendiran , Varadaraj Archana
Published: March 2024

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal disease defined by a progressive decline in lung function due to scarring and accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. The SOCS (Suppressor Of Cytokine Signaling) domain is a 40 amino acid conserved domain known to form a functional ubiquitin ligase complex targeting the Von Hippel Lindau (VHL) protein for proteasomal degradation. Here we show that the SOCS conserved domain operates as a molecular tool, to disrupt collagen and fibronectin fibrils in the ECM associated with fibrotic lung myofibroblasts. Our results demonstrate that fibroblasts differentiated using TGFß, followed by transduction with the SOCS domain, exhibit significantly reduced levels of the contractile myofibroblast-marker, α-SMA. Furthermore, in support of its role to retard differentiation, we find that lung fibroblasts expressing the SOCS domain present with significantly reduced levels of α-SMA and fibrillar fibronectin after differentiation with TGFß. We show that adenoviral delivery of the SOCS domain in the fibrotic phase of experimental lung fibrosis in mice, significantly reduces collagen accumulation in disease lungs. These data underscore a novel function for the SOCS domain and its potential in ameliorating pathologic matrix deposition in lung fibroblasts and experimental lung fibrosis.
A tolerance study of maltitol in Chinese healthy subjects: a multicenter, simple-blind, placebo-controlled study
Authors: Xiang Xuesong , Wang Siyu , Liu Xiaobing , Wang Jun , Xu Zihan , Zhu Mingyu , Li Baolong , Wang Zhengyuan
Published: March 2024

Objectives: Our aim was to evaluate the gastrointestinal tolerance of maltitol in Chinese individuals, and to explore the gastrointestinal reactions, and small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
Methods: 132 healthy subjects from three cities were enrolled in the 6 weeks’ study. All subjects were prescribed a lactulose hydrogen breath test to determine SIBO before the study. The maltitol-containing cookies (MC) with each piece of MC containing 2.5 g maltitol and sucrose-containing cookies (SC) with each piece of SC containing 3.6 g sucrose were prepared and provided. Half of subjects firstly consumed 3 pieces MC and the others consumed 3 pieces SC at the first week, then switched at the second week. All subjects consumed 5 pieces MC at the third week and consumed 7 pieces MC at the fourth week. Half of subjects consumed 10 pieces MC and the others consumed 10 pieces SC at the fifth week, then switched at the sixth week. After consuming the cookies each time, all subjects were asked to fill questionnaire to record if they experienced any gastrointestinal reactions.
Results: The incidence of gastrointestinal reactions increases with the intake of maltitol dose and no significant difference in gastrointestinal reactions between maltitol cookies and sucrose cookies with the 3 pieces consumed. There was a significant difference in gastrointestinal reaction between the two types of cookies when the intake reached 10 pieces (P<0.0001). The incidence of gastrointestinal reactions was significantly different between the positive and negative lactulose hydrogen breath conditions (P<0.0001) and negative hydrogen breath test were more likely to experience gastrointestinal reactions (Z=5.2088).
Conclusion: Chinese individuals have the lower tolerance threshold for maltitol (17.5 g) as compared to the individuals in other countries. The ethnic differences should be taken into account in the evaluation ad regulations of safe dosages for maltitol in future.
A Fully-discrete Semi-Lagrangian scheme for a price formation MFG model
Authors: Ashrafyan Yuri , Gomes Diogo
Published: March 2024

Here, we examine a fully-discrete Semi-Lagrangian scheme for a mean-field game price formation model. We show that the discretization is monotone as a multivalued operator and prove the uniqueness of the discretized solution.Moreover, we show that the limit of the discretization converges to the weak solution of the continuous price formation mean-field game using monotonicity methods. This scheme performs substantially better than standard methods by giving reliable results within a few iterations, as several numerical simulations and comparisons at the end of the paper illustrate.
Date: March 15, 2024.
The Enigmatic Voyage of Pneumococcal Carriage: Unraveling the Risk Factors in Pediatric Populations -- A Scoping Review.
Authors: Naik Vaishnavi , Chakraborty Subhangini , Jayanna Krishnamurthy , Shaw Tushar
Published: March 2024

Pneumococcal infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally, especially among children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Although considerable research has been done on the frequency of pneumococcal infections and their risk factors, there are still many unanswered questions. The objective of this study is to offer fresh perspectives through systematic literature review on the shifting prevalence of and associated risk factors for pneumococcal carriage. Studies from 41 different countries are included in the evaluation, which focuses on pediatrics patients who are most vulnerable to pneumococcal infections. The most frequent risk variables for pneumococcal carriage were having siblings, daycare centers, passive smoking, household characteristics, age, comorbidities, and vaccination status. The frequency of pneumococcal carriage was greatest among LMICs, which may be related to inadequate pneumococcal vaccination programs, densely populated areas, and a lack of knowledge about basic sanitation and hygiene. The study emphasizes how crucial it is to monitor serotype prevalence to direct vaccination campaigns in these regions. For creating efficient pneumococcal disease prevention and control strategies, it is essential to understand the risk factors connected to pneumococcal carriage. The risk of pneumococcal carriage, transmission, and disease may be decreased by public health initiatives that are aimed at a particular age group to reduce transmission, such as improved hygiene and sanitation, addressing socioeconomic disparities and social determinants of health thus reducing transmission of the bacteria. The review highlights the value of vaccination campaigns in lowering the prevalence of pneumococcal illness, to completely understand the relationship between immunization, serotype carriage, and the risk of pneumococcal carriage, more study is required especially in LIC and LMIC region.
Impact of combined tranexamic acid and vancomycin treatment on osteogenic differentiated human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hBMSCs) in vitro
Authors: Weißenberger Manuel , Wagenbrenner Mike , Heinz Tizian , Jakuscheit Axel , Horas Konstantin , Docheva Denitsa , Rudert Maximilian , Mayer-Wagner Susanne , Holzapfel Boris M. , Arnholdt Jörg
Published: March 2024

Background
In our current study, we investigated the impact of tranexamic acid (TXA) and vancomycin powder (VP) on osteogenic differentiated human bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hBMSCs) in vitro. Although topical application of TXA and VP is widely used to prevent post-operative blood loss and perioperative joint infection (PJI) in total joint replacements, the effects of both substances on periarticular tissues are not fully understood.
Methods
hBMSCs were isolated and multiplied in monolayer cell cultures before osteogenic differentiation was induced for 21 days. ATP assays were used to analyze cell proliferation and Annexin 5 assays were used to analyze cell viability and apoptosis. Expression levels of osteogenic marker genes were measured using semiquantitative RT-PCR.
Results
Combined treatment with TXA and VP for 96 hours (h) led to significantly decreased cell proliferation rates and decreased cell viability independent of the concentrations used. When using high concentrations of VP (50 mg/mL) this trend was visible after 48 h. In addition, combined treatment with TXA and VP negatively impacted Alizarin Red S staining in a dose-dependent manner.
Conclusions
Therefore, combined topical application of TXA and VP could be safe when limiting exposure to a maximum of 24 h and using low concentrations. Further in vitro and in vivo research is necessary to fully determine the effects on articular and periarticular tissues.
Age-Associated Trajetories of Tongue Coating Microbiota in a Healthy Chinese Community-Dwelling Population
Authors: Zhongwen Wu
Published: March 2024

To profiled age- and sex-associated continuous and dynamic alterations in the tongue coating (TC) microbiota with advancing age, we collected 2,527 TC from healthy Chinese community-dwelling individuals aged 1–100 years, and completed 16S rDNA V3-V4 region sequencing. We identified 23 age-associated microbial indicators and built a “TC microbiota clock” model that could characterize the advancement of age using random forest regression methods. Most pathogenic indicators showed a gradual increase or decrease first and then increased with age, suggesting a higher risk of digestive and respiratory tract diseases in childhood and old age compared with middle age. Additionally, two phenotypes of TC microbiota in the old highlighted two different networks between the TC microbiota and host’s healthy aging. Our findings suggest that age-related immuno-physiological properties are accompanied by the sex-independent succession of the TC microbiota with age, and TC microbiota as a promising indicator to evaluate an individual’s physiological status.
Efficient variant phasing utilizing a replication cycle reaction system
Authors: Toda Tatsushi , Mitsutake Akihiko , Ishiura Hiroyuki , Matsukawa Takashi , Mitsui Jun , Tsuji Shoji
Published: March 2024

When two heterozygous variants are detected in genes for diseases with autosomal recessive inheritance, determining whether the two variants are located in cis or in trans is crucial. Subcloning long-range PCR products or cDNA is limited by factors such as the distance between variants (up to 10 kb) and cDNA availability. Droplet digital PCR, effective up to distances of 100 kb, faces challenges in specific probe design. We utilized replication cycle reaction (RCR) for amplifying large genomic DNA segments with multiple heterozygous variants. RCR is an in vitro replication cycle based on chromosome replication in Escherichia coli. Circular DNA molecules were generated by combining CRISPR/Cas9-cleaved genomic DNA fragments with an oriC–AmpR cassette, followed by amplification through RCR. Various molar ratios of gDNA to the oriC–AmpR cassette were evaluated to optimize the ligation step. We analyzed gDNAs from seven patients carrying two heterozygous pathogenic variants with distances ranging from 4.3 to 152 kb. A genomic region up to 104 kb could be amplified by RCR. A higher input of the oriC–AmpR cassette resulted in a higher rate of successful RCR amplification and a lower rate of successful monoallelic amplification. Monoallelic clonal amplification occurred in six patients, facilitating a rapid determination of variant phases. A haplotype was successfully reconstructed using an SNP located 78 kb away from the variant in one patient with two variants separated by a 152 kb distance. Our method proves particularly valuable for phasing multiple heterozygous variants separated over long genomic distances.
Comparative CT-Based Assessment of Segmentation Accuracy and Volumetric Variability in Scaphoids from Frozen and Thawed Cadaver Arms for Scaphoid Prosthesis Modeling
Authors: Honigmann Philipp , Haefeli Mathias , Streekstra Geert , Dobbe Johannes
Published: March 2024

Purpose Cadavers for research purposes are often stored deep frozen. To avoid repeated thawing and freezing, which could affect tissue quality, we investigated the feasibility of using a frozen and thawed cadaver wrist to model a scaphoid for a patient-specific prosthesis. We also assessed the accuracy of different segmentation methods which are necessary to smoothen the surface of the model.Methods computed tomography (CT) scans of a frozen and thawed wrist were made. The tightly and smoothened segmented scaphoids were compared. The frozen and thawed scaphoid models were registered, and volume differences were calculated.Results No statistical differences in volumes were detected between the segmented frozen and thawed scaphoid models. The size of the scaphoid model remained consistent between the tightly and smoothened segmented versions.Conclusion There are no significant volume differences between frozen and thawed scaphoid bones. With regards to size, it is feasible and accurate to model a smoothened scaphoid for a patient-specific scaphoid prosthesis from a frozen cadaver arm which matches the one of the thawed wrist.
Development and validation of two nomograms to predict prognostic factors for patients with pancreatic cancer: A population-based retrospective study
Authors: Zeng Xinyue , Cheng Peizhang , Dai Wenfang , Wu Mengting , Zhan Yaping , Li Yufei , Wu Xunxun , Diao Yong , Yang Huiyong
Published: March 2024

Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) patients’ overall survival rate (OS) is associated with multiple factors. The prognosis is generally poor, and the overall survival rate is extremely low. Although there have been numerous prognostic studies on the clinical or genomic characteristics of pancreatic cancer patients, currently there is no research combining clinical features of patients obtained from the SEER database with tumor genomic features obtained from the TCGA and GTEx database to explore the prognostic factors of PC patients.
Method: We obtained 2697 patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2010 and 2015, and also downloaded RNA expression and clinical information of PC from TCGA and GTEx. We used LASSO and one-way and multivariate Cox regression analysis to screen out independent prognostic factors and candidate genes for PC to construct nomograms for PC patients. Receiver operating curve (ROC), calibration curve, decision curve analysis (DCA) and Kaplan-meier (K-M) survival curves were used to evaluate the predictive accuracy to evaluate the predictive accuracy, discrimination, and clinical validity of the nomogram.
Results:By Lasso and multifactorial Cox regression analysis, we selected age, AJCC N stage, chemotherapy, tumor stage, lymph node dissection, and primary site surgery information to develop the first prognostic model for PC patients. In the development and validation test set, the AUC and C-index of the OS prediction model were greater than 0.7, indicating good predictability of the model. The calibration curves of the two models overlapped with the diagonal. Decision analysis curves (DCA) indicated that the clinical benefit of these models was higher than any single factor.
We analyzed three gene datasets for enrichment and found that the gene enrichment was mainly focused on genes related to metabolism and cell division. Then we performed univariate and LASSO analysis on the related genes to obtain significance for ANLN, TGM2, ADAMTS12, and SERPINB5 to build a prognostic model. We used KM survival curves for risk stratification of ANLN and SERPINB5. To assess the prognostic power of the models, we calculated the area under the curve (AUCs) of the ROC curves over time, which were all greater than 0.67 in TCGA and 0.7 in GSE183795.
Conclusion: It is verified that our OS prediction curves for PC patients are reliable and can effectively predict the future OS of PC patients at 1, 3, and 5 years, which is a guide for clinical prognosis estimation and treatment of PC patients. Finally, by comparing the two nomograms, we found that the nomogram built for the clinical features of pancreatic cancer had better predictive accuracy than the gene expression nomogram.
Hyperexcitability and translational phenotypes in a preclinical mouse model of SYNGAP1-Related Intellectual Disability
Authors: Silverman Jill , Fenton Timothy , Haouchine Olivia , Hallam Elizabeth , Smith Emily , Ben-Shalom Roy , Jackson Kiya , Canales Cesar , Nord Alex , Adhikari Anna , Rahbarian Darlene
Published: March 2024

Disruption of SYNGAP1 directly causes a genetically identifiable neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) called SYNGAP1-related intellectual disability (SRID). Without functional SynGAP1 protein, individuals are developmentally delayed and have prominent features of intellectual disability, motor impairments, and epilepsy. Over the past two decades, there have been numerous discoveries indicting the critical role of Syngap1. Several rodent models with a loss of Syngap1 have been engineered identifying precise roles in neuronal structure and function, as well as key biochemical pathways key for synapse integrity. Homozygous loss of Syngap1 is lethal. Heterozygous mutations of Syngap1 result in a broad range of behavioral phenotypes. Our in vivo functional data, using the mouse model from the Huganir laboratory, corroborated earlier reported behaviors including robust hyperactivity and deficits in learning and memory in young adults. In extension, we report impairments in slow wave sleep, a critical component of the domain of sleep. We characterized Syngap1+/- mice by using neurophysiology collected with wireless, telemetric electroencephalography (EEG). Syngap1+/- mice also exhibited elevated spiking events and spike trains, in addition to elevated power, most notably in the delta frequency band. For the first time, we illustrated how primary neurons from Syngap1+/- mice function and display increased network firing activity, greater bursts, and shorter inter-burst intervals between peaks by employing high density microelectrode arrays (HD-MEA). Our reported data bridge in-vitro electrophysiological neuronal activity and function with in vivo neurophysiological brain activity and function. These data elucidate quantitative, translational biomarkers in vivo and in vitro that can be utilized for the development of and efficacy assessment of targeted treatments for SRID.
Health professional students at the University of Illinois Chicago (HOLISTIC) Cohort study: Prevalence of mental health and lifestyle behaviors effects among health professional students during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Patel Atithi , Lu Jun , Bitra Jyotsna , Dommaraju Sunil , Loizzo Daniel , Guillen Brenda , Kane Niamh , Westnedge Danielle , Guzman Jessica Lopez , Giang Nancy , Hartnett Isabella , Keehn Mary T. , Ahmed Rashid , Krishnan Jerry A. , Fokuo J. Konadu
Published: March 2024

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected the mental health of healthcare workers. The World Health Organization estimates a 25% increase in anxiety prevalence during the pandemic. The mental health of students across the health professions during the pandemic is less well understood.
Objectives
To better understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health professional students, a cross-sectional analysis of data collected on enrollment in a cohort study was utilized to examine the prevalence of poor mental health days in association with lifestyle behaviors in seven health sciences colleges at a large public Midwestern university during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study recruited 890 students enrolled full- or part-time across seven health sciences colleges in 2020 and/or 2021 using convenience sampling.
Methods
Participants completed questionnaires which included socio-demographic questions and items from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Behavioral Risk Factor and Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2019 survey.
Results
The participants reported a median of 7 days with poor mental health (IQR: 3-15 days) in the
past 30 days. Female sex (OR 1.70, 95% CI [1.21, 2.38]), Asian race (OR 1.47, 95% CI [1.06, 2.06]), adverse childhood events (OR 2.01, 95 % CI [1.45-2.78]), and frequent cannabis use (OR = 2.03, 95 % CI [1.14-3.61]) were each associated with an increased risk of poor mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Exercise (OR 0.64, 95 % CI [0.42-0.97]) was found to be a protective factor, during COVID-19.
Conclusions and Implications
Results indicate the need to design, implement, and evaluate services to support mental health in health sciences students, particularly among certain subgroups. Students who are frequent cannabis users or have significant childhood trauma are more likely to have poor mental health and as such may benefit from additional mental health support. Health promotions around home-based exercise and intramural sports to health professional students along with longer open hours for the gym may be beneficial.
Multimodal apparent diffusion weighted MRI analysis in noninvasive assessment of breast cancer malignancy and Ki-67 status
Authors: Chang Huan , Wang Dawei , Ming Lei , Li Yuting , Yu Dan , Yang Yu Xin , Kong Peng , Jia Wenjing , Yan Qingqing , Liu Xinhui , Zeng Qingshi
Published: March 2024

Background:
To assess the capability of multimodal apparent diffusion (MAD) weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to distinguish between malignant and benign breast lesions, and to predict Ki-67 expression level in breast cancer.
Methods:
This retrospective study was conducted with 93 patients who had postoperative pathology-confirmed breast cancer or benign breast lesions. MAD images were acquired using a 3.0T MRI scanner with 16 b values. The MAD parameters, as flow (fF, DF), unimpeded (fluid) (fI), hindered (fH, DH, and αH), and restricted (fR, DR), were calculated. The differences of the parameters were compared by Mann-Whitney U test between the benign/malignant lesions and high/low Ki-67 expression level. The diagnostic performance was assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).
Results:
The fR in the malignant lesions was significantly higher than in the benign lesions (P=0.001), whereas the fI and DH were found to be significantly lower (P=0.007 and P<0.001, respectively). Compared with individual parameter in differentiating malignant from benign breast lesions, the combination parameters of MAD (fR, DH, and fI) provided the highest AUC (0.851), with the highest specificity (88.9%) and accuracy (86.6%). Of the 73 malignant lesions, 42 (57.5%) were assessed as Ki-67 low expression and 31 (42.5%) were Ki-67 high expression. The Ki-67 high status showed lower DH, higher DF and higher αH (P<0.05). The combination parameters of DH, DF, and αH provided the highest AUC (0.691) for evaluating Ki-67 expression level.
Conclusions:
MAD weighted MRI is a useful method for the breast lesions diagnostics and the preoperative prediction of Ki-67 expression level.
Adverse Cardiac Events of Hypercholesterolemia Are Enhanced by Sitagliptin Administration in Sprague Dawley Rats
Authors: Palfrey Henry A. , Kumar Avinash , Pathak Rashmi , Stone Kirsten P. , Gettys Thomas W. , Murthy Subramanyam N.
Published: March 2024

Background
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) affects millions worldwide and is the leading cause of death among non-communicable diseases. Western diets typically comprise of meat and dairy products, both of which are rich in cholesterol (Cho) and methionine (Met), two well-known compounds with atherogenic capabilities. Despite their individual effects, literature on a dietary combination of the two in the context of CVD are limited. An additional interest was to investigate the cardioprotective potential of sitagliptin, an anti-type 2 diabetic drug. Thus, we hypothesized that atherogenic feeding would result in adverse cardiac effects and would attenuate upon sitagliptin administration.
Methods
Six-week-old adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a control (Con), high Met (1.5%), high Cho (2.0%), or high Met (1.5%) + high Cho (2.0%) diet for 35 days. They were orally gavaged with vehicle (water) or sitagliptin (100 mg/kg/d) from day 10 through 35. On day 36, rats were euthanized, and tissues were collected for analysis.
Results
Histopathological evaluation revealed a reduction in myocardial striations and increased collagen deposition in hypercholesterolemia (HChol), responses that became exacerbated upon sitagliptin administration. Cardiac pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic responses were adversely impacted in similar fashion. The addition of Met to Cho (MC) attenuated all adverse structural and biochemical responses, with or without sitagliptin.
Conclusion
Adverse cardiac outcomes in HChol were enhanced with sitagliptin administration and such effects were alleviated by Met. Our findings could be significant for understanding the risk-benefit of sitagliptin in type 2 diabetics who are known to consume atherogenic diets.
New perspectives on the impact of human activities on natural resources in oasis areas
Authors: yang Xuedi , chen xingpeng , Hu Hailin , li Ya , Qiao Fuwei
Published: March 2024

Rapid economic development, accompanied by various human activities, leads to a severe loss of natural capital. Human activities also have specific positive effects, such as technological progress of enterprises and ecological engineering construction. The mixed results are attributed to a nonlinear relationship between the variables (in contrast, most earlier studies assumed a linear relationship). Therefore, the present study was conducted to re-examine the effects of urbanization, population density, planted forests, and scientific research and development on the sustainability of natural capital. A nonlinear relationship among the variables was considered, and the causal relationships among the variables were explored to gain insights into the underlying mechanisms and effects. The results demonstrated that the human occupation of the natural capital in the study area showed a fluctuating upward trend during the study period and exceeded the local ecological carrying capacity long ago. In addition, although investments in scientific and technological development positively influenced the sustainability of the natural capital, this positive effect was lagging behind the actual human appropriation of natural resources. Notably, the degree of depletion of the natural capital due to ecological reconstruction (planted forests) was heterogeneous. In particular, artificial afforestation projects were found to be unsuitable for long-term urban development in water-scarce drylands.
Effect of secondary annealing and deep cryogenic treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of TC27 titanium alloy
Authors: Li G. R. , Xiong M. , Wang H. M. , Ji Z. J. , Nan H. , Ye Y. R. , Guo S. Z. , Cao Z. L. , Dong K. , Wang J. T. , Zhou P. J.
Published: March 2024

This study investigates the effects of annealing and subsequent deep cryogenic treatment (DCT) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of TC27 titanium alloy. The results show that in the annealed alloy, the α(100) crystal plane grows preferentially along with an increased dislocation density. The size of α-phase significantly increases, forming a basketweave structure between the coarse colony laths. For the ADCT (annealed then DCT) sample, the strongest diffraction peak changes from β(110) after 24 hours of low temperature treatment (ADCT24) to α(101) after 36 hours of low temperature treatment (ADCT36). In the optimized ADCT36 sample, there are more needle-like precipitated α' phases, which result from the β phase supersaturated non-equilibrium densely packed hexagonal lattice formed by non-diffusion transformation of α. The tensile strength and elongation of ADCT36 are 1096.7MPa and 5.6%, respectively, and these improvements are attributed to the homogeneous structure, more isometric and finer secondary α phase, grain rotation, and high-density dislocations.