bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor alleviated atrial remodeling in STZ-induced diabetic rats by targeting TLR4 pathway
Authors: Zhan Xiaoping , Cheng Lijun , Huo Ning , Yu Lin , Liu Changle , Liu Tong , Li Guangping , Fu Huaying
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The mechanism of sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT-2i) reducing the incidence of atrial fibrillation remains unclear. We hypothesize that sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor alleviated atrial remodeling in STZ-induced diabetic rats by targeting TLR4 pathway.

Methods

A total of 42 rats were randomly assigned into three groups: control group (CON group); diabetes group (DM group): diabetes mellitus rats were established by 65 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) intraperitoneal injection; and diabetes + dapagliflozin group (DM + DAPA group): diabetic rats were given DAPA gavage administration (DAPA 2mg/kg/d for 4 weeks by gavage administration), 14 rats in each group. Epicardial multiple-lead recording and intracardiac electrophysiology studies were performed to investigate the electrical remodeling in the heart and the atrial fibrillation inducibility in each group. Western blot analysis and real-time PCR were used to determine the protein and mRNA expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), interleukin receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and type I collagen (collagen I).

Results

Compared with rats in CON group, rats in DM group showed marked myocardial fibrosis, ectopic pacing excitement, reduced conduction velocity, decreased cardiac function. TLR4/IRAK1/TRAF6/NF-κB, collagen I proteins expressions and incidence of atrial fibrillation (27.3%) were increased in DM group. Parts of these changes were reversed by treatment of DAPA. Incidence of atrial fibrillation was decreased in DM + DAPA group (2.8%).

Conclusions

SGLT-2i dapagliflozin may prevent diabetic rats' atrial remodeling and reduce the inducibility of atrial fibrillation partly by targeting TLR4/IRAK1/TRAF6/NF-κB inflammatory pathway.
D-dimer, BNP/NT-pro-BNP, and creatinine are reliable decision-making biomarkers in life-sustaining therapies withholding and withdrawing during COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Smadja David M. , Fellous Benjamin A. , Bonnet Guillaume , Hauw-Berlemont Caroline , Sutter Willy , Beauvais Agathe , Fauvel Charles , Philippe Aurélien , Weizman Orianne , Mika Delphine , Juvin Philippe , Waldmann Victor , Diehl Jean-Luc , Cohen Ariel , Chocron Richard
Published: September 2022

Background

The decision for withholding and withdrawing of life-sustaining treatments (LSTs) in COVID-19 patients is currently based on a collegial and mainly clinical assessment. In the context of a global pandemic and overwhelmed health system, the question of LST decision support for COVID-19 patients using prognostic biomarkers arises.

Methods

In a multicenter study in 24 French hospitals, 2878 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in medical departments from 26 February to 20 April 2020 were included. In a propensity-matched population, we compared the clinical, biological, and management characteristics and survival of patients with and without LST decision using Student's t-test, the chi-square test, and the Cox model, respectively.

Results

An LST was decided for 591 COVID-19 patients (20.5%). These 591 patients with LST decision were secondarily matched (1:1) based on age, sex, body mass index, and cancer history with 591 COVID-19 patients with no LST decision. The patients with LST decision had significantly more cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure (72.9 vs. 66.7%, p = 0.02), stroke (19.3 vs. 11.1%, p < 0.001), renal failure (30.4 vs. 17.4%, p < 0.001), and heart disease (22.5 vs. 14.9%, p < 0.001). Upon admission, LST patients were more severely attested by a qSOFA score ≥2 (66.5 vs. 58.8%, p = 0.03). Biologically, LST patients had significantly higher values of D-dimer, markers of heart failure (BNP and NT-pro-BNP), and renal damage (creatinine) (p < 0.001). Their evolutions were more often unfavorable (in-hospital mortality) than patients with no LST decision (41.5 vs. 10.3%, p < 0.001). By combining the three biomarkers (D-dimer, BNP and/or NT-proBNP, and creatinine), the proportion of LST increased significantly with the number of abnormally high biomarkers (24, 41.3, 48.3, and 60%, respectively, for none, one, two, and three high values of biomarkers, trend p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The concomitant increase in D-dimer, BNP/NT-proBNP, and creatinine during the admission of a COVID-19 patient could represent a reliable and helpful tool for LST decision. Circulating biomarker might potentially provide additional information for LST decision in COVID-19.
Neuroprotective effect of remote ischemic preconditioning in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhu Shouqiang , Zheng Ziyu , Lv Wenying , Ouyang Pengrong , Han Jiange , Zhang Jiaqiang , Dong Hailong , Lei Chong
Published: September 2022

Background

The neuroprotective effect of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) in patients undergoing elective cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)-assisted coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) or valvular cardiac surgery remains unclear.

Methods

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled superior clinical trial was conducted in patients undergoing elective on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery or valve surgery. Before anesthesia induction, patients were randomly assigned to RIPC (three 5-min cycles of inflation and deflation of blood pressure cuff on the upper limb) or the control group. The primary endpoint was the changes in S-100 calcium-binding protein β (S100-β) levels at 6 h postoperatively. Secondary endpoints included changes in Neuron-specific enolase (NSE), Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) levels.

Results

A total of 120 patients [mean age, 48.7 years; 36 women (34.3%)] were randomized at three cardiac surgery centers in China. One hundred and five patients were included in the modified intent-to-treat analysis (52 in the RIPC group and 53 in the control group). The primary result demonstrated that at 6 h after surgery, S100-β levels were lower in the RIPC group than in the control group (50.75; 95% confidence interval, 67.08 to 64.40 pg/ml vs. 70.48; 95% CI, 56.84 to 84.10 pg/ml, P = 0.036). Compared to the control group, the concentrations of S100-β at 24 h and 72 h and the concentration of NSE at 6 h, 24 h, and 72 h postoperatively were significantly lower in the RIPC group. However, neither the MMSE nor the MoCA revealed significant between-group differences in postoperative cognitive performance at 7 days, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery.

Conclusion

In patients undergoing CPB-assisted cardiac surgery, RIPC attenuated brain damage as indicated with the decreased release of brain damage biomarker S100-β and NSE.

Clinical trial registration

[ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT01231789].
Novel dry pericardiocentesis: Transvenous puncture of the right ventricle with the back end of a 0.014-inch PTCA guidewire and a 1.8 Fr microcatheter
Authors: Qin Hua-Di , Gao Hui , Gao Jie , Hou Lin , Shao Xiang-Seng , Tang Jing-Wei , Qin Chun-Chang
Published: September 2022

Background

Dry transthoracic pericardiocentesis is challenging and carries the risk of right ventricle (RV) or coronary artery injury. The RV can usually control bleeding automatically. For example, most perforations of the RV caused by pacemaker leads are treated without open surgery. Thus, we performed a transvenous puncture of the RV for dry pericardiocentesis with the back end of a 0.014-inch percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) guidewire and a 1.8 Fr microcatheter.

Methods

The back end of a 0.014-inch PTCA guidewire within a 1.8 Fr microcatheter was used to transvenously punctured through the middle of the acute margin of the RV into the pericardial space in 12 Yorkshire swine and 5 beagles. PTCA balloons of different diameters were used to dilate the puncture holes for 15 min under anticoagulation in all the animals to assess the ability of the RV to control the bleeding. Then, for 3 days, the puncture hole was dilated by a 6 Fr catheter in 9 swine and 5 dogs.

Results

The puncture was successful in all the animals. After withdrawal of the 2.5-mm balloon or the 6 Fr catheter, none of the animals exhibited pericardial effusion, as observed by echocardiography. There was no sustained ventricular arrhythmia or other complications. All the animals survived.

Conclusion

Transvenous puncture of the right ventricle with the back end of a 0.014-inch PTCA guidewire and 1.8 Fr microcatheter may be feasible and have a good safety margin.
The crosstalk between STAT3 and microRNA in cardiac diseases and protection
Authors: Wu Lan , Li Zhizheng , Li Yanfei
Published: September 2022

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), an important transcription factor and signaling molecule, play an important role in cardiac disease and protection. As a transcription factor, STAT3 upregulates anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic genes but suppresses anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic genes in cardiac disease and protection. As a signaling molecule, STAT3 is the downstream or upstream of other molecules for signaling transduction, also activated in cardiac disease and protection. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous short non-coding RNAs that regulate mRNA expression at the transcriptional level and prevent protein translation. Recently, STAT3 is reported to be not only the target of miRNA but also the inhibitor or inducer of miRNA to modify the mRNA expression profiles in cardiomyocytes resulting in different effects on cardiac disease and protection. We summarize the current knowledge on STAT3 regulation of individual miRNAs and the modulation of STAT3 by miRNAs in cardiac diseases and protection.
Change of moraine-dammed glacial lakes and simulation of glacial lake outburst flood in the Yi’ong Zangbo River basin
Authors: Wang Qi , Duan Hongyu , Liu Na , Du Zhishui , Wang Pan , Yi Bo , Xu Jun , Huang Jian , Zhang Yuan , Yao Xiaojun
Published: September 2022

Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) are a serious potential threat to the safety of life and property in downstream areas. In this study, moraine-dammed glacial lakes in the Yi’ong Zangbo River basin were recognized based on Landsat ETM+/TM/OLI images in 2000 and 2019. Also, GLOFs for the Jionglaco, the largest glacial lake in this basin, were simulated using the one-dimensional hydrodynamic model. The results show that the total number and area of moraine-dammed glacial lakes in this basin increased by 10 (10.52%) and 5.49 km2 (48.24%) from 2000 to 2019, respectively, in which the area of the Jionglaco increased by 3.22 km2. The peak discharge at the breach outlet for five scenarios with different combinations of breach width (80 and 120 m), depth (2.5 and 5 m), and flood time (1.5 and 3 h) are 489 , 1,327.43, 444.32, 617.47, and 1,570.61 m3/s. With the addition of baseflow in the river, the peak discharge at bridge site 15,138.93 km from Jionglaco, is 1,040.89, 1,724.00, 1,024.85, 1,162.25, and 1,990.52 m3/s. The combination of baseflow in river and the GLOF discharge results in an increasing peak discharge in the further downstream region. However, the arrival of peak discharge in downstream areas is delayed, which increases the chances of people escaping.
Recognition method of coal and gangue based on multispectral spectral characteristics combined with one-dimensional convolutional neural network
Authors: Hu Feng , Zhou Mengran , Dai Rongying , Liu Yu
Published: September 2022

Accurate identification of coal and gangue is very important for realizing efficient separation of coal and gangue and clean utilization of coal. Therefore, a method for identifying coal and gangue by using multispectral spectral information and a convolutional neural network (CNN) model is proposed. First, 200 pieces of coal and 200 pieces of gangue in the Huainan mining area were collected as the experimental materials. The multispectral information of coal and gangue was collected, and the average value of each wavelength position was calculated to obtain the spectral information of the whole band. Then, based on the one-dimensional CNN (1D-CNN), namely, 1D-CNN-A and 1D-CNN-B, and with the help of stochastic gradient descent (SGD), Adam, Adamax, and Nadam optimizers, the rectified linear unit (ReLU) function and its improved function were used as the activation function to compare the identification ability of the identification models with different network structures and parameters. The best 1D-CNN model for identification of coal and gangue based on multispectral spectral information is obtained as follows: a network model containing three one-dimensional convolution units B, PReLU is used as the activation function, and Nadam is used as an optimizer to achieve the best identification effect. At this time, 40 coal samples in the test set can be accurately identified, and only one gangue sample in 40 gangue samples is wrongly predicted as coal. Finally, compared with the traditional recognition strategy (different combinations of principal component analysis and support vector machine), the excellent performance of this method is further proven. The results show that the combination of multispectral imaging and 1D-CNN can achieve accurate identification of coal and gangue without considering how to select appropriate preprocessing and feature extraction methods, which is of great significance in promoting the development of separation technology for coal and gangue.
Variability of sea salt and methanesulfonate in firn cores from northern Victoria Land, Antarctica: Their links to oceanic and atmospheric condition variability in the Ross Sea
Authors: Ro Seokhyun , Hong Sang-Bum , Kim Joo-Hong , Han Yeongcheol , Hur Soon Do , Kang Jung-Ho , Kim Songyi , Lim Changkyu , Chang Chaewon , Moon Jangil , Kim Seong-Joong , Hong Sungmin
Published: September 2022

The potential ice core proxies of variability in oceanic and atmospheric conditions over the Ross Sea were evaluated. This study examined sea salt sodium (ss–Na+) and biogenic sulfur (methanesulfonate, MS–) records, covering 23 years between 1990 and 2012, from two firn cores drilled on the Styx Glacier plateau (SGP), northern Victoria Land, East Antarctica, to examine the potential links between those records and datasets for various climate variables. The comparison showed that the interannual variability of the ss–Na+ record is closely related to Pacific–South American mode 2 (PSA2) in the Ross Sea sector, exhibiting an increased ss–Na+ flux, owing most likely to more frequent penetration of maritime air masses from the western Ross Sea to the SGP when the winter/spring PSA2 mode becomes more pronounced. The observed MS– record revealed statistically significant positive correlations with the changes in the summertime chlorophyll a concentration in the Ross Sea polynya (RSP) and wind speed in the southern Ross Sea region. This indicates the dominant role of a combination of changes in the summertime primary productivity and wind speed over the RSP in modulating the MS– deposition flux at the SGP. These results highlight the suitability of the ss–Na+ and MS– records from the SGP as proxies for characterizing the dominant patterns of variability in oceanic and atmospheric conditions and their underlying mechanisms on interannual and longer timescales beyond the instrumental limits over the Ross Sea region.
Late Quaternary faulting and paleoearthquakes along the northern section of the Bayanhaote fault and their implications for regional seismotectonics
Authors: Chen Guihua , Li Zhongwu , Huang Xiongnan
Published: September 2022

Analysis of the late Quaternary activity and paleoseismicity of the Bayanhaote fault is critical because it is part of the frontier of the propagating Tibetan Plateau and the boundary between the Alxa and Ordos blocks, and the development of a regional seismotectonic model surrounding the Helan Mountains is crucial. We studied offset landforms and paleoearthquakes along the northern section of the Bayanhaote fault and found that it deformed dextrally, with a slight reverse slip to the east. A channel and a deluvial edge on the alluvial terrace, aged between 56.28 ± 4.04 ka and 82.2 ± 5.78 ka, are right-laterally offset and a sag pond formed on the east side of the fault scarp. We calculated a dextral slip rate of 1.0–2.4 mm/a. Three surface-rupturing paleoearthquakes were discovered in the reversely offset strata in a trench south of Sumutu village. We infer that these three earthquakes might be a portion of surface-rupturing earthquakes by comparing them with documented paleoearthquake data along the southern half of the Bayanhaote fault. We established a regional seismotectonic model around the Helan Mountains using our new and published geological and geophysical data. The seismic risk along the dextral Bayanhaote fault to the west of the Helan Mountains is also substantial. The dextral Bayanhaote fault west of the Helan Mountains and the normal fault system in the east constitute the active boundary belt between the Alxa and Ordos blocks.
Characteristics of strike-slip fault-related reservoirs and the significance for hydrocarbon accumulation in the central Tarim Basin: Insights from the modern karst model
Authors: Ning Fei , Lin Huixi , Zhou Cunjian , Yun Jinbiao , Li Peng , Song Haiming
Published: September 2022

Proven to be closely linked to hydrocarbon accumulation, strike-slip faults are important hydrocarbon accumulation zones. In order to clarify the controlling effects of strike-slip faults on reservoirs, characteristics of two types of reservoirs, including strike-slip fault-controlled fracture caverns and strike-slip fault-dissolved fracture caverns in the central Tarim Basin, are delineated through detailed analyses of seismic data, tectonic evolution, and observations of the core and thin sections. High-density electrical logging was utilized for the modern karst area of South China to identify the development characteristics of the fractured-cavernous carbonate reservoirs. The development model of modern karst reservoirs was applied in the study of the Ordovician carbonate paleokarst in Tarim Basin to build the karst reservoir development model related to strike-slip faults. Modern karst investigation confirmed that the network of fracture systems formed by strike-slip faults was conducive to developing karst pores, while the tectonic slope provided hydrodynamic conditions for karstification. The karst fracture formed along the dissolved fractures at the top of the cave is not easily filled with debris, making it an important reservoir space outside the large karst caves. The Ordovician epikarst fracture-cavernous system is an important reservoir in the area from Shuntuoguole slope in the north of Tazhong uplift to the Tabei Uplift of the Tarim Basin. The reservoir, strike-slip faults, and unconformities together constitute a three-dimensional hydrocarbon accumulation system, which facilitates the migration and accumulation of oil and gas from deep source rocks to Ordovician karst fracture caverns and plays a significant role in hydrocarbon migration and accumulation.
Biodegradable polymeric materials for flexible and degradable electronics
Authors: Zhai Zhiqiang , Du Xiaosong , Long Yin , Zheng Heng
Published: September 2022

Biodegradable electronics have great potential to reduce the environmental footprint of electronic devices and to avoid secondary removal of implantable health monitors and therapeutic electronics. Benefiting from the intensive innovation on biodegradable nanomaterials, current transient electronics can realize full components’ degradability. However, design of materials with tissue-comparable flexibility, desired dielectric properties, suitable biocompatibility and programmable biodegradability will always be a challenge to explore the subtle trade-offs between these parameters. In this review, we firstly discuss the general chemical structure and degradation behavior of polymeric biodegradable materials that have been widely studied for various applications. Then, specific properties of different degradable polymer materials such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and flexibility were compared and evaluated for real-life applications. Complex biodegradable electronics and related strategies with enhanced functionality aimed for different components including substrates, insulators, conductors and semiconductors in complex biodegradable electronics are further researched and discussed. Finally, typical applications of biodegradable electronics in sensing, therapeutic drug delivery, energy storage and integrated electronic systems are highlighted. This paper critically reviews the significant progress made in the field and highlights the future prospects.
Associations between neck circumference and markers of dysglycemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and dysmetabolism independent of Body Mass Index in an Emirati population
Authors: Fojas Esphie Grace Fodra , Buckley Adam John , Lessan Nader
Published: September 2022

Aim

Neck circumference (NC) is quick and easy to measure and may be a useful surrogate marker for body composition. We investigated NC as a potential marker of dysglycemia, MetS, and NAFLD.

Methods

674 individuals were recruited at the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre in a study of sleep apnea prevalence. Of these, 547 (Age 46 ± 11.4 years, Body Mass Index (BMI) 31 ± 6 kg/m2, 279 (51%) female, 113 normal glucose tolerance (NGT), 108 Prediabetes, 326 Type 2 diabetes (T2DM)) met all inclusion criteria for analysis. NC was measured at the thyroid cartilage, and collar size was recorded. Analysis was performed using univariate and multivariate linear regression.

Results

Adjusted for BMI, sex, and age, NC was 0.65 ± 0.3 cm greater in prediabetes (p = 0.0331), and 1.07 ± 0.28 cm greater in T2DM, compared with NGT (p = 0.0002). Adjusting for BMI, sex, and glycemic status, 1-cm increase in NC was associated with a 1.04 ± 1.01 U/L (p <0.0001) increase in ALT and, additionally, correcting for statin use, a 0.03 ± 0.01 mmol/L reduction in HDL (p <0.0001) and a 0.1 ± 0.02 increase in TC : HDL. A 1 cm increase in NC was associated with a 1.15 ± 1.02% (p <0.0001) increase in 10-year AHA cardiovascular risk in individuals over 40 years old and a 0.16 ± 0.02 (p <0.0001) increase in NAFLD fibrosis score. The neck circumference was associated with the hazard of new onset of deranged ALT adjusted for age, sex, glycemic status, and BMI (hazard ratio 1.076 (95% CI 1.015–1.14, p = 0.0131) and with the incidence of Fatty Liver Index associated with high probability of NAFLD (hazard ratio 1.153 (95% CI 1.019–1.304), p = 0.0239).

Conclusion

NC is associated with dysglycemia, components of the MetS, and factors predictive of NAFLD, but does not appear to independently predict subsequent progression to high risk of liver fibrosis in this predominantly diabetic population.
The association between blood glucose levels and lipids or lipid ratios in type 2 diabetes patients: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Wang Liqun , Yan Ning , Zhang Min , Pan Ruiping , Dang Yuqi , Niu Yang
Published: September 2022

Background

Lipids and lipid ratios are associated with complications of diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM), such as cardiovascular disease, but the relationship between blood glucose levels and lipid or lipid ratios is not fully understood in T2DM patients. This study assesses the association between blood glucose levels and lipid or lipid ratios in a cohort of T2DM patients.

Methods

A total of 1,747 Chinese T2DM patients from the Ningxia province of China were included in this cross-sectional study. Lipid parameters, including triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), and fasting blood glucose levels were measured quantitatively using standard methods. Fasting blood glucose was divided into three groups. A multiple mixed-effect linear regression model was conducted to identify a potential association between blood glucose and lipid parameters.

Results

There was a positive association between blood glucose and TG levels (β=0.34, 95% CI: (0.20, 0.48), p<0.01); every 1 mmol/L increase in blood glucose levels resulted in a 0.34 mmol/L increase in TG. Blood glucose levels were also associated with high LDL (β=0.08, 95% CI: (0.02, 0.14), p<0.01), TG/HDL-C (β=0.31, 95% CI: (0.13, 0.49), p<0.01), and LDL-C/HDL-C (β=0.13, 95% CI: (0.06, 0.20), p<0.01) levels. After controlling for demographic variables, health-related behaviors, and physical health variables, a positive association between blood glucose levels and TG (β=0.31, 95% CI: (0.17, 0.45), p<0.01) and LDL-C (β=0.08, 95% CI: (0.02, 0.13), p<0.01) levels and an in increase in TG/HDL-C (β=0.28, 95% CI: (0.09, 0.46), p<0.01) and LDL-C/HDL-C (β=0.11, 95% CI: (0.04, 0.18), p<0.01) ratios was found.

Conclusion

A correlation between blood glucose levels and serum lipids or lipid ratios has been established in this study. Blood glucose levels were positively associated with TG and LDL-C levels and elevated TG/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios.
Use of kisspeptin to trigger oocyte maturation during in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment
Authors: Sharma Bhavna , Koysombat Kanyada , Comninos Alexander N. , Dhillo Waljit S. , Abbara Ali
Published: September 2022

Infertility is a major global health issue and is associated with significant psychological distress for afflicted couples. In vitro fertilisation (IVF) utilises supra-physiological doses of stimulatory hormones to induce the growth of multiple ovarian follicles to enable surgical retrieval of several oocytes for subsequent fertilisation and implantation into the maternal endometrium. The supra-physiological degree of ovarian stimulation can lead to potential risks during IVF treatment, including ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and multiple pregnancy. The choice of oocyte maturation trigger, such as human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) or gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa), can impact both the efficacy of IVF treatment with a bearing on luteal phase hormonal dynamics and thus the degree of luteal phase support required to maintain optimal pregnancy rates, as well as on safety of treatment with particular respect to the risk of OHSS. Kisspeptin regulates gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) release and is therefore a key regulator of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Kisspeptin has been shown to be requisite for the occurrence of the physiological ovulatory luteinising hormone (LH) surge. In this review, we discuss the potential use of kisspeptin as a novel trigger of oocyte maturation.
Expression patterns of serum MicroRNAs related to endothelial dysfunction in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism
Authors: Yao Xuelin , Wang Ying , Wang Li , Cao Mingfeng , Chen Aifang , Zhang Xinhuan
Published: September 2022

Background

Increasing evidence has shown that elevated Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are positively correlated with atherosclerosis (ATH) in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH). Some researchers found that the dysfunction of Endothelial Cells (ECs) in SCH plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ATH in SCH, but the association remains controversial.

Objectives

To determine the expression profiles of serum microRNAs critical to the function of Endothelial cells (ECs) may help reanalyze the possible mechanism underlying ATH in SCH and the association between ATH and SCH.

Methods

We used qRT-PCR to perform microRNA profiling and analysis in normal control subjects (NC), patients with SCH alone (SCH), patients with SCH and ATH (SCH+ATH), and patients with ATH without SCH (ATH).

Results

Both miR-221-3p and miR-222-3p showed a decreasing expression trend between the SCH and SCH+ATH groups. In addition, miR-126-3p and miR-150-5p showed a stepwise decrease from the NC to SCH groups and then to the SCH+ATH or ATH group. miR-21-5p was unregulated in the SCH, SCH+ATH, and ATH groups. Furthermore, elevated levels of miR-21-5p in SCH+ATH group were higher than SCH and ATH group. No differences were found in the levels of miR-150, miR-126, miR-221 and miR-222 between the ATH and the SCH+ATH subjects.

Conclusions

miR-21-5p may be involved in the atherosclerosis process in patients with SCH (SCH and SCH+ATH groups). miR-150-5p may be sensitive risk markers for predicting endothelial dysfunction in patients with ATH (ATH and SCH+ATH groups).
Fault mechanisms and diagnosis methods for typical load mutation problems of turbo-generator sets
Authors: Yao Kun , Wang Ying , Fan Shuangshuang , Wan Jie , Wu Henggang , Cao Yong
Published: September 2022

Since flexible peak shaving has been implemented in a growing number of high-power turbo-generator sets in the power grid owing to increasing demand, the load control performance of steam turbines directly affects the safety and efficiency of the unit operation. Load-following issues, especially load mutation, weaken the frequency control performance of the unit and cause load fluctuation faults, threatening power grid safety and stability. However, the definition, classification, characterization, generation mechanism, and diagnostic methods for load mutation problems have not been systematically researched. Based on the operational data of various turbo-generator set cases, this study systematically assessed three typical load mutation problems; namely, the common fault of unreasonable parameter settings of the control system as well as new-found faults in the actuator hardware and electrical interference. Subsequently, the fault mechanisms and characterization parameters of the different set capacities were analyzed and extracted. Furthermore, a diagnosis method was designed according to the actual problem, based on which fault type was identified. Case analysis of typical sets demonstrated that this method can quickly test and diagnose faults when in actual real-world scenarios and effectively determine the cause of the fault. This method can also detect the initial fault features, which is convenient for daily maintenance and avoids fault aggravation.
Business environment, spatial spillover, and urban–rural income gap——an empirical test based on provincial panel data in China
Authors: Zhao Tongtong , Jiao Fangyi
Published: September 2022

With economic development, the global ranking of China’s business environment has been greatly improved; however, the cost of rapid economic development is a growing disparity in income among urban–rural areas. As a result, investigating the impact of the business environment on the urban–rural income gap is critical to determining how to narrow the urban–rural income gap and achieve common prosperity. This study collects and organizes data from 31 provinces in China from 2011–2019 and provides an analysis of optimizing the business environment on the urban–rural wealth divide using the Durbin spatial model and adjacent spatial weight matrix. The accompanying three results are presented from this survey: 1) the outcomes of the spatial Durbin model discovered that there is a spatial spillover effect on the business environment, and optimizing the business environment not only reduces the regional urban–rural income gap but also has an impact on the regional urban–rural wage crevice in neighboring regions; 2) through the use of empirical analysis methods to test the different dimensions of the business environment, it is found that the overall impact of the product market development, non-state economy development, market intermediary development, and legal system has a significant spatial spillover effect on reducing urban and rural income inequality; 3) deeper research finds that there is regional heterogeneity in the effect of improving the business environment on the urban–rural wage hole. Only the central provinces have a significant spatial business environment spillover effect, while there is no significant business environment spillover effect in the eastern and western provinces. China should further accelerate the construction of the business environment, which is of great importance to lessen the disparity in wealth between urban–rural areas.
Integrated environmental risk assessment of rare earth elements mixture on aquatic ecosystems
Authors: Lachaux Nicolas , Cossu-Leguille Carole , Poirier Laurence , Gross Elisabeth Maria , Giamberini Laure
Published: September 2022

Rare Earth elements (REE) have become essential in strategical sectors such as high- and green-technologies. Their increasing use in human activities worldwide leads to anthropogenic REE releases detectable in all compartments of the environment, transforming REE into emerging contaminants. However, their potential impacts on ecosystems are still poorly understood. In order to have a comprehensive understanding of REE ecotoxicology and to properly assess their environmental risk, we analysed the toxicity of three representative REE (neodymium Nd, gadolinium Gd, and ytterbium Yb). Following recommendations of the European Chemicals Agency, we assessed REE hazard by performing standard ecotoxicological tests on three freshwater species belonging to different trophic levels (algae, crustacean and fish). EC50 were calculated using different modes of expression of REE exposure concentration (based on nominal, measured total and dissolved concentrations) in order to more properly and accurately determine REE toxicity. In order to get closer to environmental conditions, we also tested the toxicity of REE in mixture because all of them occur naturally as such in the environment. Moreover, we added dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the test medium because DOM is ubiquitous and drives REE speciation in freshwater systems. The Results showed that DOM significantly reduced REE bioaccumulation and toxicity, probably by formation of non-bioavailable REE-DOM complexes. The algal species was the most sensitive to REE. Despite slight differences between Nd, Gd and Yb in behaviour and bioaccumulation, the three REE exhibited comparable toxicity and additive effects in mixture to all tested organisms. Thus, we considered REE as a uniform group and, for the first time, we used mixture toxicity values and environmental mixture concentrations to assess the risk of REE in freshwater (instead of considering different REE separately). The results revealed that the risk is currently limited to wastewater treatment plants, and industrial and mining activities, where released quantities of REE can induce severe damage to exposed freshwater organisms. However, the risks are likely more widespread in the future because anthropogenic REE releases are expected to increase.
Identification of tumor microenvironment-related signature for predicting prognosis and immunotherapy response in patients with bladder cancer
Authors: Yao Zhihao , Zhang Henghui , Zhang Xuejun , Zhang Zhiyong , Jie Jirong , Xie Kunfeng , Li Fei , Tan Wanlong
Published: September 2022

The tumor microenvironment (TME) not only provides fertile soil for tumor growth and development but also widely involves immune evasion as well as the resistance towards therapeutic response. Accumulating interest has been attracted from the biological function of TME to its effects on patient outcomes and treatment efficacy. However, the relationship between the TME-related gene expression profiles and the prognosis of bladder cancer (BLCA) remains unclear. The TME-related genes expression data of BLCA were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. NFM algorithm was used to identify the distinct molecular pattern based on the significantly different TME-related genes. LASSO regression and Cox regression analyses were conducted to identify TME-related gene markers related to the prognosis of BLCA and to establish a prognostic model. The predictive efficacy of the risk model was verified through integrated bioinformatics analyses. Herein, 10 TME-related genes (PFKFB4, P4HB, OR2B6, OCIAD2, OAS1, KCNJ15, AHNAK, RAC3, EMP1, and PRKY) were identified to construct the prognostic model. The established risk scores were able to predict outcomes at 1, 3, and 5 years with greater accuracy than previously known models. Moreover, the risk score was closely associated with immune cell infiltration and the immunoregulatory genes including T cell exhaustion markers. Notably, the predictive power of the model in immunotherapy sensitivity was verified when it was applied to patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) undergoing immunotherapy. In conclusion, TME risk score can function as an independent prognostic biomarker and a predictor for evaluating immunotherapy response in BLCA patients, which provides recommendations for improving patients’ response to immunotherapy and promoting personalized tumor immunotherapy in the future.
Unveiling the genetic architecture for lodging resistance in rice (Oryza sativa. L) by genome-wide association analyses
Authors: Rashid Muhammad Abdul Rehman , Zhao Yong , Azeem Farrukh , Zhao Yan , Ahmed Hafiz Ghulam Muhu-Din , Atif Rana Muhammad , Pan Yinghua , Zhu Xiaoyang , Liang Yuntao , Zhang Hongliang , Li Danting , Zhang Zhanying , Li Zichao
Published: September 2022

Lodging is one of the major abiotic stresses, affecting the total crop yield and quality. The improved lodging resistance and its component traits potentially reduce the yield losses. The section modulus (SM), bending moment at breaking (M), pushing resistance (PR), and coefficient of lodging resistance (cLr) are the key elements to estimate the lodging resistance. Understanding the genetic architecture of lodging resistance–related traits will help to improve the culm strength and overall yield potential. In this study, a natural population of 795 globally diverse genotypes was further divided into two (indica and japonica) subpopulations and was used to evaluate the lodging resistance and culm strength–related traits. Significant diversity was observed among the studied traits. We carried out the genome-wide association evaluation of four lodging resistance traits with 3.3 million deep resolution single-nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) markers. The general linear model (GLM) and compressed mixed linear model (MLM) were used for the whole population and two subpopulation genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and a 1000-time permutation test was performed to remove the false positives. A total of 375 nonredundant QTLs were observed for four culm strength traits on 12 chromosomes of the rice genome. Then, 33 pleiotropic loci governing more than one trait were mined. A total of 4031 annotated genes were detected within the candidate genomic region of 33 pleiotropic loci. The functional annotations and metabolic pathway enrichment analysis showed cellular localization and transmembrane transport as the top gene ontological terms. The in silico and in vitro expression analyses were conducted to validate the three candidate genes in a pleiotropic QTL on chromosome 7. It validated OsFBA2 as a candidate gene to contribute to lodging resistance in rice. The haplotype analysis for the candidate gene revealed a significant functional variation in the promoter region. Validation and introgression of alleles that are beneficial to induce culm strength may be used in rice breeding for lodging resistance.
Potential regulatory role of miRNA and mRNA link to metabolism affected by chronic intermittent hypoxia
Authors: Duan Yanru , Zhang Shihan , Li Yu , Zhao Wen , Xie Pinxue , Zhang Xi , Du Yunhui
Published: September 2022

Aim: Intermittent hypoxia (IH) is the prominent feature of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) pathophysiology, which is an in dependent risk factor of cardiovascular complications. The effects of IH on adipocyte metabolism were explored by high-throughput sequencing technology.

Methods: Plasma was collected from OSA patients and control group to perform mRNA sequencing. 3T3-L1 cells were differentiated into adipocytes then subjected to a 5%–21% O2 hypoxic environment (IH) for 24 h. High-throughput sequencing method was used to determine differential mRNA and miRNA patterns in fat cells exposed to IH. We then performed Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, identified relevant KEGG pathways and miRNA-target-pathways.

Results: Sequencing data showed that OSA affected the expression of 343 mRNAs in the plasma. At the same time, we found that IH affected the expression of 3034 mRNAs in the adipocytes. In addition, 68 differentially expressed mRNAs were overlapped in plasma from OSA patient and IH-induced adipocyte model. We observe that 68 differential genes could be connected to 49 reciprocally expressed miRNAs. We showed that IH significantly reduced the expression of miR-182-5p and miR-30c-2-3p. KEGG predicted that the function of expressed miR-182-5p and miR-30c-2-3p was enriched to AKT signaling pathway. Notably, IH activated PI3K/AKT pathway in fat cells.

Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that IH might induce adipocyte metabolism by regulating miR-182-5p and miR-30c-2-3p.
Molecular evolution of the Pi-d2 gene conferring resistance to rice blast in Oryza
Authors: Xie Pengfei , Liu Jia , Lu Ruisen , Zhang Yanmei , Sun Xiaoqin
Published: September 2022

The exploitation of plant disease resistance (R) genes in breeding programs is an effective strategy for coping with pathogens. An understanding of R gene variation is the basis for this strategy. Rice blast disease, caused by the Magnaporthe oryzae fungus, is a destructive disease of rice. The rice blast resistance gene Pi-d2 represents a new class of plant R gene because of its novel extracellular domain. We investigated the nucleotide polymorphism, phylogenetic topology and evolution patterns of the Pi-d2 gene among 67 cultivated and wild rice relatives. The Pi-d2 gene originated early in the basal Poales and has remained as a single gene without expansion. The striking finding is that susceptible Pi-d2 alleles might be derived from a single nucleotide substitution of the resistant alleles after the split of Oryza subspecies. Functional pleiotropy and linkage effects are proposed for the evolution and retention of the disease-susceptible alleles in rice populations. One set of DNA primers was developed from the polymorphic position to detect the functional nucleotide polymorphism for disease resistance of the Pi-d2 gene based on conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction. The nucleotide diversity level varied between different domains of the Pi-d2 gene, which might be related to distinct functions of each domain in the disease defense response. Directional (or purifying) selection appears dominant in the molecular evolution of the Pi-d2 gene and has shaped its conserved variation pattern.
Monitoring the hydration behavior of hardened cement paste affected by different environmental pH regimes
Authors: Zhu Yu , Liu Yijie , Zhang Jinrui
Published: September 2022

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the hydration behavior of hardened Portland cement paste cured in different environmental pH values by compressive strength, XRD, TG-DTG and EIS. Meanwhile, a newly proposed equivalent circuit model is built to establish the correlation between the electrochemical parameters and compressive strength of cement paste. The results show that the matrix strength, hydration products and pore structure of hardened cement paste are significantly affected by different pH values. According to the in-situ nondestructive monitoring of EIS, the evaluating for the matrix strength of cement-based materials can be achieved by calculating the resistivity of discontinuous connected pores (Rcp) in the recommended equivalent circuit model.
Effects of rich cannabidiol oil on behavioral disturbances in patients with dementia: A placebo controlled randomized clinical trial
Authors: Hermush Vered , Ore Liora , Stern Noa , Mizrahi Nisim , Fried Malki , Krivoshey Marina , Staghon Ella , Lederman Violeta E. , Bar-Lev Schleider Lihi
Published: September 2022

Background

Almost 90% of patients with dementia suffer from some type of neurobehavioral symptom, and there are no approved medications to address these symptoms.

Objective

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the medical cannabis oil “Avidekel” for the reduction of behavioral disturbances among patients with dementia.

Materials and methods

In this randomized, double-blind, single-cite, placebo-controlled trial conducted in Israel (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03328676), patients aged at least 60, with a diagnosis of major neurocognitive disorder and associated behavioral disturbances were randomized 2:1 to receive either “Avidekel,” a broad-spectrum cannabis oil (30% cannabidiol and 1% tetrahydrocannabinol: 295 mg and 12.5 mg per ml, respectively; n = 40) or a placebo oil (n = 20) three times a day for 16 weeks. The primary outcome was a decrease, as compared to baseline, of four or more points on the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory score by week 16.

Results

From 60 randomized patients [mean age, 79.4 years; 36 women (60.0%)], 52 (86.7%) completed the trial (all eight patients who discontinued treatment were from the investigational group). There was a statistically significant difference in the proportion of subjects who had a Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory score reduction of ≥ 4 points at week 16: 24/40 (60.0%) and 6/20 (30.0%) for investigational and control groups, respectively (χ2 = 4.80, P = 0.03). There was a statistically significant difference in the proportion of subjects who had a Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory score reduction of ≥ 8 points at week 16: 20/40 (50%) and 3/20 (15%), respectively (χ2 = 6.42, P = 0.011). The ANOVA repeated measures analysis demonstrated significantly more improvement in the investigational group compared to the control group at weeks 14 and 16 (F = 3.18, P = 0.02). Treatment was mostly safe, with no significant differences in the occurrence of adverse events between the two groups.

Conclusion

In this randomized controlled trial, ‘Avidekel’ oil significantly reduced agitation over placebo in patients suffering from behavioral disturbances related to dementia, with non-serious side-effects. Further research is required with a larger sample size.
Whole-genome assembly and analysis of a medicinal fungus: Inonotus hispidus
Authors: Tang Shaojun , Jin Lei , Lei Pin , Shao Chenxia , Wu Shenlian , Yang Yi , He Yuelin , Ren Rui , Xu Jun
Published: September 2022

Inonotus hispidus (I. hispidus) is a medicinal macrofungus that plays a key role in anti-tumor and antioxidant functions. To further understand and enhance the value of I. hispidus, we performed whole-genome sequencing and an analysis of its strain for the first time. I. hispidus was sequenced using the Illumina NovaSeq high-throughput sequencing platform. The genome length was 35,688,031 bp and 30 contigs, with an average length of 1,189,601.03 bp. Moreover, database alignment annotated 402 CAZyme genes and 93 functional genes involved in regulating secondary metabolites in the I. hispidus genome to find the greatest number of genes involved in terpenes in that genome, thus providing a theoretical basis for its medicinal value. Finally, the phylogenetic analysis and comparative genomic analysis of single-copy orthologous protein genes from other fungi in the same family were conducted; it was found that I. hispidus and Sanghuangporus baumii have high homology. Our results can be used to screen candidate genes for the nutritional utilization of I. hispidus and the development of high-yielding and high-quality I. hispidus via genetic means.