bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uncertainty in Muscle–Tendon Parameters can Greatly Influence the Accuracy of Knee Contact Force Estimates of Musculoskeletal Models
Authors: Hosseini Nasab Seyyed Hamed , Smith Colin R. , Maas Allan , Vollenweider Alexandra , Dymke Jörn , Schütz Pascal , Damm Philipp , Trepczynski Adam , Taylor William R.
Published: June 2022

Understanding the sources of error is critical before models of the musculoskeletal system can be usefully translated. Using in vivo measured tibiofemoral forces, the impact of uncertainty in muscle–tendon parameters on the accuracy of knee contact force estimates of a generic musculoskeletal model was investigated following a probabilistic approach. Population variability was introduced to the routine musculoskeletal modeling framework by perturbing input parameters of the lower limb muscles around their baseline values. Using ground reaction force and skin marker trajectory data collected from six subjects performing body-weight squat, the knee contact force was calculated for the perturbed models. The combined impact of input uncertainties resulted in a considerable variation in the knee contact force estimates (up to 2.1 BW change in the predicted force), especially at larger knee flexion angles, hence explaining up to 70% of the simulation error. Although individual muscle groups exhibited different contributions to the overall error, variation in the maximum isometric force and pathway of the muscles showed the highest impacts on the model outcomes. Importantly, this study highlights parameters that should be personalized in order to achieve the best possible predictions when using generic musculoskeletal models for activities involving deep knee flexion.
Integrating Self-Management Education and Support in Routine Care of People With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Conceptional Model Based on Critical Interpretive Synthesis and A Consensus-Building Participatory Consultation
Authors: Huber Claudia , Montreuil Chantal , Christie Derek , Forbes Angus
Published: June 2022

The integration of self-management education and support into the routine diabetes care is essential in preventing complications. Currently, however, there is no consensus on how to conceptualise integration in relation to self-management education and support. Therefore, this synthesis presents a framework conceptualising integration and self-management.

Methods

Seven electronic databases (Medline, HMIC, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ERIC, Scopus and Web of Science) were searched. Twenty-one articles met the inclusion criteria. Data were synthesised using principles of critical interpretive synthesis to build the conceptual framework. The framework was presented to 49 diabetes specialist nurses working at different levels of care during a multilingual workshop.

Results

A conceptual framework is proposed in which integration is influenced by five interacting components: the programme ethos of the diabetes self-management education and support intervention (content and delivery), care system organisation (the framework in which such interventions are delivered), adapting to context (the aspects of the people receiving and delivering the interventions), interpersonal relationship (the interactions between the deliverer and receiver of the intervention), and shared learning (what deliverer and receiver gain from the interactions). The critical inputs from the workshop participants related to the different priorities given to the components according to their sociolinguistic and educational experiences, Overall, they agreed with the conceptualisation of the components and their content specific to diabetes self-management education and support.

Discussion

Integration was conceptualised in terms of the relational, ethical, learning, contextual adapting, and systemic organisational aspects of the intervention. It remains uncertain which prioritised interactions of components and to what extent these may moderate the integration of self-management education and support into routine care; in turn, the level of integration observed in each of the components may moderate the impact of these interventions, which may also apply to the impact of the professional training.

Conclusion

This synthesis provides a theoretical framework that conceptualises integration in the context of diabetes self-management education and support in routine care. More research is required to evaluate how the components identified in the framework can be addressed in clinical practice to assess whether improvements in self-management education and support can be effectively realised in this population.
ANOM Approach for Statistical Evaluation of Some Antioxidant Enzyme Activities
Authors: Demir Canan , Keskin Sıddık , Şen Fatih
Published: June 2022

Free radicals are chemical molecules that are more reactive and have an unpaired electron. Free radicals formed inside the cell oxidize biomolecules, leading to cell death and tissue damage. Antioxidants are molecules that can stabilize or inactivate free radicals before they damage the cell. In this study; the availability of Malondialdehyde, Superoxide dismutase, Catalase and Reduced glutathione levels as markers for related diseases was evaluated by examining whether and in what range they may vary in some diseases. In study, nine groups consist of prostate cancer, cirrhosis, liver transplantation, chronic kidney damage, acute kidney injury, X-ray exposure, CT exposure, MR exposure and Osteonecrosis. Analysis of means is a method developed to compare group means with the overall mean and presents the results graphically in an easy-to-understand manner without the required for any post hoc test. In addition, related characteristics were categorized as “low and high” and Nonlinear Principal Component Analysis was conducted to visually present their relationship with related disease types in two-dimensional space. The upper and lower decision lines were found 3.123 and 2.794 μmol/L, respectively for Malondialdehyde. Those with cirrhosis, chronic kidney disease, acute kidney disease and tomography exposure were included in the upper and lower decision lines. Those with prostate cancer, osteonecrosis, and X-ray exposure were above the upper decision line and are found higher than the overall mean. Those with lung transplantation and MR exposure appear to be below the lower decision line and lower than the overall mean. The present study provides the first comprehensive assessment of the availability of Malondialdehyde, Superoxide dismutase, Catalase and Reduced glutathione levels as markers for some related diseases. This study has shown that Analysis of means can be used as an alternative graphical procedure for multiple group comparisons with an overall mean in the studies regarding as biochemical characteristics and relating diseases. In addition, Nonlinear Principal Component Analysis can be useful aid for decision marker in some biochemical characteristics and related diseases.
Antibody Response to SARS-CoV-2 in the First Batch of COVID-19 Patients in China by a Self-Developed Rapid IgM-IgG Test
Authors: Pu Yiyi , Weng Youhong , Wu Yahan , Gao Fei , Zheng Xiaojun , Xiong Xianqin , Lv Hangjun , Kong Qingming
Published: June 2022

It has been over two years since the COVID-19 pandemic began and it is still an unprecedented global challenge. Here, we aim to characterize the antibody profile from a large batch of early COVID-19 cases in China, from January – March 2020. More than 1,000 serum samples from participants in Hubei and Zhejiang province were collected. A series of serum samples were also collected along the disease course from 70 patients in Shanghai and Chongqing for longitudinal analysis. The serologic assay (ALLtest) we developed was confirmed to have high sensitivity (92.58% - 97.55%) and high specificity (92.14% - 96.28%) for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid-specific antibodies. Confirmed cases found in the Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention (HBCDC), showed a significantly (p = 0.0018) higher positive rate from the ALLtest than RNA test. Then, we further identified the disease course, age, sex, and symptoms that were correlating factors with our ALLtest results. In summary, we confirmed the high reliability of our ALLtest and its important role in COVID-19 diagnosis. The correlating factors we identified will require special attention during future clinical application.
Two Public Health Crises, Two Narratives: An Analysis of How Policymakers Have Managed British Columbia's COVID-19 Pandemic and Potential Implications for the Ongoing Overdose Crisis
Authors: Burton Andrea , Sawatzky-Girling Brenda , Westfall Jordan
Published: June 2022

Canadians take great pride in their social values such as human and civil rights, universal health care and good government. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, federal and provincial leadership teams forged new partnerships via shared focus, voluntariness, jurisdictional respect, and lowering of barriers. In our analysis focusing on the Province of British Columbia, we compare and contrast how leadership and politics have impacted the response to COVID-19 vs. the response to B.C.'s concurrent public health emergency, the overdose crisis. We argue that these dual epidemics are framed differently in the public discourse, and that a significant disparity emerges in how the two public health emergencies have been handled at every level of government. We further posit that constructing the narrative around a communicable disease outbreak such as COVID-19 is easier than for the overdose crisis, in large part because COVID-19 impacts every person whereas the overdose crisis is perceived to have a narrow impact on the population. We use three key communications indicators in our analysis: a) the primary groups that messaging from leadership needed to reach; b) the programs and initiatives that leadership needed to ensure receive broad dissemination; and c) the messaging and tone required to achieve the desired impact to encourage societal change. On the basis of our analysis, we conclude that Canada needs to be better at building the types of supports it has created to manage the COVID-19 crisis in order to also support individuals who are immersed in the overdose crisis. Many of the policy and communication decisions and insights learned through the COVID-19 pandemic can, and ought to, be put into effect to mitigate the ongoing overdose crisis in B.C. and beyond. Examples include: consistent messaging that emphasizes respect for all and reflects determination from our political leaders as they work together to change the narrative and enact policy change. COVID-19 has shown us that if we are determined and focused, even if we occasionally run into obstacles, we can move the dial forward to mitigate—and perhaps even eliminate—a health crisis.
Myths, Wishful Thinking, and Accountability in Predator Conservation and Management in the United States
Authors: Blossey Bernd , Hare Darragh
Published: June 2022

Large predators are thought of as ecological keystone species, posterchildren of conservation campaigns, and sought-after targets of tourists and photographers. At the same time, predators kill livestock and huntable animals, and occasionally people, triggering fears and antipathy among those living alongside them. Until the 1960’s government-sponsored eradication and persecution campaigns in the United States prioritized interests of livestock producers and recreational hunters, leading to eradication of wolves and bears over much of their range. Without large predators, subsidized by changes in agricultural practices and milder winters, ungulate populations erupted, triggering negative ecological impacts, economic damage, and human health crises (such as tick-borne diseases). Shifting societal preferences have ushered in more predator-friendly, but controversial wildlife policies, from passively allowing range expansion to purposeful reintroductions (such as release of wolves in Yellowstone National Park). Attempts to restore wolves or mountain lions in the U.S. and protecting coyotes appear to enjoy strong public support, but many state wildlife agencies charged with managing wildlife, and recreational hunters continue to oppose such efforts, because they perceive predators as competitors for huntable animals. There may be compelling reasons for restoring predators or allowing them to recolonize their former ranges. But if range expansion or intentional releases of large predators do not result in ecosystem recovery, reduced deer populations, or Lyme disease reductions, conservationists who have put their reputation on the line and assured decision makers and the public of the important functional role of large predators may lose public standing and trust. Exaggerated predictions by ranchers and recreational hunters of greatly reduced ungulate populations and rampant livestock killing by large carnivores may lead to poaching and illegal killing threatening recovery of predator populations. How the return of large carnivores may affect vegetation and successional change, ungulate population size, other biota, livestock and human attitudes in different landscapes has not been appropriately assessed. Societal support and acceptance of living alongside predators as they expand their range and increase in abundance requires development and monitoring of social, ecological and economic indicators to assess how return of large predators affects human and animal and plant livelihoods.
Morphological and Physiological Characteristics of Ruptured Plaques in Native Arteries and Neoatherosclerotic Segments: An OCT-Based and Computational Fluid Dynamics Study
Authors: Jin Chongying , Torii Ryo , Ramasamy Anantharaman , Tufaro Vincenzo , Little Callum D. , Konstantinou Klio , Tan Yi Ying , Yap Nathan A. L. , Cooper Jackie , Crake Tom , O’Mahony Constantinos , Rakhit Roby , Egred Mohaned , Ahmed Javed , Karamasis Grigoris , Räber Lorenz , Baumbach Andreas , Mathur Anthony , Bourantas Christos V.
Published: June 2022

Background

Intravascular imaging has been used to assess the morphology of lesions causing an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in native vessels (NV) and identify differences between plaques that ruptured (PR) and caused an event and those that ruptured without clinical manifestations. However, there is no data about the morphological and physiological characteristics of neoatherosclerotic plaques that ruptured (PR-NA) which constitute a common cause of stent failure.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from patients admitted with an acute myocardial infarction that had optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging of the culprit vessel before balloon pre-dilation. OCT pullbacks showing PR were segmented at every 0.4 mm. The extent of the formed cavity, lipid and calcific tissue, thrombus, and macrophages were measured, and the fibrous cap thickness (FCT) and the incidence of micro-channels and cholesterol crystals were reported. These data were used to reconstruct a representative model of the native and neoatherosclerotic lesion geometry that was processed with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques to estimate the distribution of the endothelial shear stress and plaque structural stress.

Result

Eighty patients were included in the present analysis: 56 had PR in NV (PR-NV group) and 24 in NA segments (PR-NA group). The PR-NV group had a larger minimum lumen area (2.93 ± 2.03 vs. 2.00 ± 1.26 mm2, p = 0.015) but similar lesion length and area stenosis compared to PR-NA group. The mean FCT (186 ± 65 vs. 232 ± 80 μm, p = 0.009) and the lipid index was smaller (16.7 ± 13.8 vs. 25.9 ± 14.1, p = 0.008) while the of calcific index (8.3 ± 9.5 vs. 2.2 ± 1.6%, p = 0.002) and the incidence of micro-channels (41.4 vs. 12.5%, p = 0.013) was higher in the PR-NV group. Conversely, there was no difference in the incidence of cholesterol crystals, thrombus burden or the location of the rupture site between groups. CFD analysis revealed higher maximum endothelial shear stress (19.1 vs. 11.0 Pa) and lower maximum plaque structural stress (38.8 vs. 95.1 kPa) in the PR-NA compared to the PR-NV model.

Conclusion

We reported significant morphological and physiological differences between culprit ruptured plaques in native and stented segments. Further research is needed to better understand the causes of these differences and the mechanisms regulating neoatherosclerotic lesion destabilization.
Decrease in Fishery Yields in Response to Hydrological Alterations in the Largest Floodplain Lake (Poyang Lake) in China
Authors: Li Mingzheng , Liu Chang , Liu Fei , Wang Jianwei , Liu Huanzhang
Published: June 2022

Habitat degradation has caused reduction in fishery yields in many freshwater ecosystems, particularly recession of water levels in natural lakes. Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake and one of the most exploited regions in China, has exhibited a dramatic variation in the water level for decades, especially after the operation of the Three Gorges Dam. We evaluated the long-term dynamics of fishery yields and the relationship to hydrological variability of Poyang Lake from 1990 to 2016. There was a strong positive effect on the annual maximum water level (Hmax), the minimum water level in April (HMmin4), the maximum water level in August (HMmax8), the average water level in October (HMmean10), and the number of days when the water level was above the wet threshold (Wetdays) on fishery yields. The all-subsets regression model identified the best variable combination subset which contains eight hydrological variables (R2 = 0.9493), and the HMmin4, HMmax8, and HMmean10 variables were the most important variable predictor for fishery yields (contributing to 63.03% of the explained variability). The Mann–Kendall test showed that the time series of the fishery yield of Poyang Lake had significant decreasing trends over the past few decades. Moreover, Wetdays, HMmin4, and HMmean10 also showed significantly decreasing abrupt changes, and the abrupt changes’ time of HMmean10 was the same as that of the fishery yield in 2005. The mean fishery yield and HMmean10 dropped from 42,581 tonnes and 14.15 m during 1990–2005 to 27,464 tonnes and 11.78 m during 2006–2016, respectively. This study is critical for implementing effective strategies for the protection of fish resources and lake ecosystems.
Effects of Body Mass Index on Brain Structures in the Elderly: Longitudinal Analyses
Authors: Takeuchi Hikaru , Kawashima Ryuta
Published: June 2022

The relationship between obesity and neurocognitive consequences is complex. Here we investigated associations between body mass index (BMI) and subsequent changes in brain structures, cognitive changes, and the onset of dementia after adjustment of a wide range of potential confounding variables using a large prospective cohort data of UK Biobank. After correcting for confounding factors, higher BMI was associated with greater retention in visuospatial memory performance (decline in error numbers) [beta = -0.019 (CI:-0.027~-0.016), N = 39191], increase in depression tendency scores [beta = 0.036(0.027~0.045)] as well as decreased risk of incident dementia [increasing BMI by 1 is associated with HR of 0.981 (CI:0.969~0.992), N = 398782], but not changes in fluid intelligence or reaction time. Whole brain multiple regression analyses (volumetric analyses: N = 1253, other analyses: N = 1241) revealed positive associations between BMI and subsequent changes in regional gray matter volume (rGMV) in multiple areas, regional white matter volume changes in widespread white matter (WM) tracts, fractional anisotropy changes in several tracts, and intracellular volume fraction (ICVF) and orientation dispersion (OD) in widespread areas, and isotropic volume fraction (ISOVF) in a few areas, and negative associations between BMI and subsequent changes in rGMV in the bilateral medial temporal lobe areas, mean, axial and radial diffusivity, and ISOVF in widespread areas. These results are mostly consistent with the view that less BMI precedes greater neurocognitive aging or atrophy, with a few exceptions including OD findings and the rGMV finding of the medial temporal lobes as most of significant longitudinal associations of higher BMI were opposite to those seen in higher age and dementia. Future epidemiological studies should consider separating effects of higher BMI itself from potential confounders.
PCOS and Role of Cumulus Gene Expression in Assessing Oocytes Quality
Authors: Sayutti Nurainie , Abu Muhammad Azrai , Ahmad Mohd Faizal
Published: June 2022

The global infertility rate has been declining from year to year. PCOS is one of the treatable accountable causes contributing to anovulatory infertility. Nevertheless, the success rate of treatments and live-birth outcomes especially involving assisted reproductive techniques is still not very promising. There is a reduction in the development potential of oocytes and high-quality embryos in PCOS patients compared to non-PCOS patients. A critical step in IVF treatment is the assessment of oocyte and embryo competence before embryo transfer. Oocytes in metaphase II are very fragile. Repeated morphological assessment on these oocytes may directly impair the quality and affect the whole process. Identification of potential biomarkers especially in the cumulus cells oocytes complex will help to predict the outcome and may create space for improvement. This review has explored gene expression in cumulus cells with regards to oocytes quality in both normal and PCOS women. The gene expression was classified according to their physiological function such as the contribution on cumulus expansion, cumulus cells apoptosis, and glucose metabolism. Collectively, the review suggested that positive expression of HAS2, PTX3, GREM1, and VCAN may correlate with good quality oocytes and can be used as an indicator among PCOS women.
Case Report: Acquired Generalized Anhidrosis Caused by Brain Tumor: Review of the Literature
Authors: Kawahara Kohei , Shimomura Yasuto , Oshima Yuichiro , Watanabe Tadashi , Hori Toshinori , Okumura Akihisa , Iwayama Hideyuki
Published: June 2022

Purpose

There has been limited focus on sweating failure in patients with brain tumor. We report two patients with generalized anhidrosis caused by germinoma. We also review previous reports of generalized anhidrosis due to brain tumor.

Case Reports

Patient 1 was a 12-year-old boy with repetitive heat shock-like episodes even in winter. Based on Minor’s test, he was diagnosed with generalized anhidrosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed the absence of high signal intensity of the posterior pituitary. He was initially diagnosed with central diabetes insipidus. However, an MRI scan performed after 3 months revealed an enlarged pituitary stalk. He was finally diagnosed with germinoma by pituitary biopsy. After chemotherapy and radiation, sweating was partially resolved. Patient 2 was a 12-year-old girl with growth hormone deficiency and generalized anhidrosis. She was diagnosed with germinoma based on MRI and pituitary biopsy findings. After chemotherapy and radiation, the sweating resolved completely.

Discussion

In our literature search, we identified four patients with anhidrosis due to brain tumor, including our cases. All patients had germinoma and continued to require hormone replacement therapy after treatment of germinoma. Two patients with incomplete recovery of sweating had the involvement in the hypothalamus, whereas one patient with complete recovery showed a lack of evident hypothalamic involvement. Improvement in sweating in one patient was not described.

Conclusion

Germinoma can cause anhidrosis, and involvement in the hypothalamus may be relevant to incomplete recovery of sweating.
Analysis of Risk Factors Associated With Central Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma With cT1N0 Stage
Authors: Zhao Yin-zhu , He Nian-an , Ye Xian-jun , Jin Fu , Li Meng-xue , Jiang Xianxian
Published: June 2022

Aim

Annual T1 stage papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) incidence rates continue to rise, yet the optimal treatment for this cancer type remains controversial. Central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) is a critical determinant in the context of treatment decision-making. While several prior studies have evaluated patients with clinica l T1a(cT1a) stage PTC, there have been fewer analyses of clinical T1b(cT1b) disease to date. The present study was thus formulated to explore predictors of CLNM in patients with cT1a and cT1b stage PTC.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of data including clinicopathological characteristics and BRAFV600E mutation status was conducted for 452 PTC patients undergoing surgical treatment. Logistic univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with CLNM in particular patients’ characteristics and the accuracy of the established logistic regression models was evaluated using the R software platform.

Results

Respective CLNM incidence rates in cT1a and cT1b disease were 39.39% and 67.21%. Factors associated with a higher risk of CLNM among PTC(cT1a) patients included male sex, young age, tumor size, contact with capsule, and multifocality as determined through comparisons of the area under the curve for logistic regression models. Whereas male sex and age were associated with CLNM risk in PTC(cT1b) patients in univariate and multivariate analyses, age was the only risk factor associated with CLNM incidence among women with PTC(cT1b).

Conclusion

Predictors of CLNM differ between PTC patients with cT1a and cT1b stage disease, and a comprehensive assessment of these risk factors should thus be conducted when designing individualized treatment regimens for PTC patients.
Insulin Degludec Versus Insulin Glargine on Glycemic Variability in Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Yang Yunjiao , Long Cong , Li Tongyi , Chen Qiu
Published: June 2022

Background/Aims

Currently, glycemic variability has more deleterious effects than sustained hyperglycemia and is closely associated with acute and chronic complications of diabetes. Reducing glycemic excursion is becoming another vital goal of glycemic control in clinical practice. This study aimed to determine whether insulin degludec (IDeg) or insulin glargine (IGla) was more beneficial for reducing glycemic fluctuations.

Materials and Methods

This research was constructed according to the PRISMA guidelines. We searched eight databases and ClinicalTrials.gov from their inception to 30 November 2021. All randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of glucose variability between IDeg and IGla in diabetic patients were included.

Results

Fourteen trials with 8,683 participants were included. In patients with T1DM, IDeg was associated with a lower mean (MD: −16.25, 95% CI −29.02 to −3.07, P = 0.01) and standard deviation (P = 0.03) compared to IGla in fasting blood glucose (FBG); in people with T2DM, IDeg was related to a lower mean of FBG versus insulin glargine 100 U/ml (IGla100) (P <0.001) and had a more extended time in the range (TIR) than IGla100 (SMD: 0.15, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.27, P = 0.02) but not longer than insulin glargine 300 U/ml (IGla300). Moreover, IDeg had a lower coefficient of variation of FBG than IGla (P = 0.0254). For other indicators of glycemic variability, namely, standard deviation of blood glucose for 24 h, the mean of 24-h blood glucose, mean amplitude of glycemic excursion, the coefficient of variation for 24 h, the mean of daily differences, area under the glucose curve, and M-value, no significant differences were identified between IDeg and IGla, regardless of T1DM or T2DM.

Conclusions

Based on the current studies, there was comparable efficacy between IDeg and IGla from multiple aspects of glycemic variability, regardless of T1DM or T2DM. However, IDeg may be superior to IGla in reducing FBG variability in T1DM and T2DM. Nonetheless, due to the limitations of the original studies, it is still unclear whether IDeg is superior to both IGla100 and IGla300. In T2DM, IDeg had more extended TIR than IGla100 but not longer than IGla300. Additionally, more well-designed randomized controlled trials comparing IDeg with IGla300 for different indicators of glycemic variability are still warranted.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO, CRD42021283203.
Research Review of the Knowledge Graph and its Application in Power System Dispatching and Operation
Authors: Chen Junbin , Lu Guanhua , Pan Zhenning , Yu Tao , Ding Maosheng , Yang Huibiao
Published: June 2022

With the construction of a new power system and the proposal of a double carbon goal, power system operation data are growing explosively, and the optimization of power system dispatching operation is becoming more and more complex. Relying on traditional pure manual dispatching is difficult to meet the dispatching needs. The emerging knowledge graph technology in the field of the artificial intelligence technology is one of the effective methods to solve this problem. Because the topological structure of the power system itself is consistent with the relational structure of graph theory, through the establishment of a relevant knowledge graph, the real operating state of the power system can be restored to the maximum extent by effectively preserving the correlation implicit in the data. Meanwhile, expressing the hidden knowledge in the power system dispatching operation in the form of a knowledge graph has become the focus of research at home and abroad. This study summarizes the development of the knowledge graph technology from the aspects of knowledge extraction, knowledge representation learning, knowledge mining, knowledge reasoning, knowledge fusion, and the application of knowledge graph and introduces the application and prospect of knowledge graph in the power system dispatching operation from the aspects of the auxiliary optimization decision, vertical risk control, operation mode analysis, optimization model improvement experience, and super regulation parameters.
Quantifying Carbon Sequestration Service Flow Associated with Human Activities Based on Network Model on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Wang Qingbo , Liu Shiliang , Wang Fangfang , Liu Hua , Liu Yixuan , Yu Lu , Sun Jian , Tran Lam-Son Phan , Dong Yuhong
Published: June 2022

The flow of ecosystem services between regions as a result of the mismatch of supply and demand has increasingly become a new research focus. Clarifying the spatial regularity of ecosystem service flow is of great significance for realizing regional sustainable development and improving human well-being. This study applied a network model to map the interregional carbon flow based on the supply and demand of carbon sequestration service, and the driving effect of various driving factors was further analyzed. The results showed that the demand for carbon sequestration service on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau increased steadily from 2000 to 2019, resulting in an increasingly significant difference between supply and demand with more than 20 million tons. In the carbon sequestration service flow network, the number of defined deficit nodes increased to 22 in 2010, but decreased to 21 in 2019. The interrupted edges continued to increase to 16, and the network density dropped to 0.022. The carbon sequestration service flow network on the northeastern parts of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was severely damaged. With the high-quality development of animal husbandry, the impact of grazing intensity on the difference between the supply and demand of carbon sequestration service has been weakened. When urbanization reached a certain level, the driving effects of urbanization and agricultural activities increased significantly. The study provided a reference for the use of network models to analyze ecosystem service flow, and provided a theoretical basis and data support for local ecological management decisions.
Cover Cropping Increases Soil Fungal-Bacterial Community Diversity and Network Complexity in Apple Orchards on the Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Liu Chong-Yi , Wang Ying-ying , Chen Xin-yi , Tan Hua , Jin Xu-mei , Lu Qi , He Shu-bin , Long Ming-Xiu
Published: June 2022

Soil microorganisms play a key role in soil fertility. Exploring the microbial community composition and diversity in response to cover crops is important for improving soil fertility in orchards. This study investigated how cover cropping can improve soil fertility by altering microbial community composition and the interrelations among soil microorganisms. Soil physicochemical and biological indicators and microbial community composition were evaluated after a 6-years application of cover cropping in an apple (Malus pumila cv. Fuji) orchard located on the Loess Plateau, China. Three treatments were applied: Trifolium repens treatment (TR), Lolium perenne treatment (LP), clear tillage treatment (CT). The soil of the cover crop treatments had a more complex microbial co-occurrence network than that of the clear tillage treatment; in particular, the correlations among fungi were significantly increased. Cover cropping increased the levels of soil organic matter (SOM), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and total nitrogen (TN) in orchard soil. Changes in the fungal community were more related to microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN), TN, and carbon-nitrogen ratio (C:N). This indicates that cover cropping not only increases the diversity of soil microorganisms but also increases the interrelations between microbial groups, thereby improving the soil fertility of apple orchards on the Loess Plateau.
The Limpopo–Mpumalanga–Eswatini Escarpment—Extra-Ordinary Endemic Plant Richness and Extinction Risk in a Summer Rainfall Montane Region of Southern Africa
Authors: Clark Vincent Ralph , Burrows John E. , Turpin Barbara C. , Balkwill Kevin , Lötter Mervyn , Siebert Stefan J.
Published: June 2022

Climatic, edaphic, and topographic differences between mountains and surrounding lowlands result in mountains acting as terrestrial islands with high levels of endemic biota. Conservation of mountains is thus key to successful biodiversity conservation. The Limpopo–Mpumalanga–Eswatini Escarpment (LMEE) in South Africa and the Kingdom of Eswatini is one of the largest components of southern Africa’s Great Escarpment. Despite botanical collecting effort over 150 years, there has never been a holistic and comprehensive synthesis of plant endemics data for the LMEE. For the first time, we define the LMEE as an orographic entity, covering 53,594 km2; it forms a contiguous highland area from the Pongola River in the south, north to the Woodbush area, and includes rugged western Eswatini. Using exhaustive literature mining, coupled with combined decades of fieldwork by the authors, and up-to-date taxonomic assessments of the 46 undescribed species, we provide the first robust list of plant endemics for the LMEE. The LMEE has 496 endemic plant taxa, comprising 10.7% of the provisional flora (4,657 taxa). This is more than double the endemic plant taxa in the Drakensberg Mountain Centre (DCM), and may be the richest concentration of montane endemics in southern Africa outside of the Core Greater Cape Floristic Region. Grassland hosts the largest number of endemics (74.2%), followed by Savanna (26.6%), then Forest (7.7%). Most endemics of conservation concern occur in Grassland (68.4%), in which one is Extinct and two are Extinct in the Wild. Evolutionary partitioning between Grassland, Savanna and Forest is suggested by low introgression of Biomes at family and genus level, and by a dominance of life-forms adapted to open habitats. High threat statuses for Grassland endemics can be attributed to the historical transformation of almost 20% of Grassland to forestry pre-1990, and ongoing degradation of primary Grassland. With conservation area coverage only 11.1% of the LMEE, the exceptional richness of the endemic flora—combined with major conservation threats—suggest that the LMEE should become a major focus of conservation effort between South Africa and Eswatini as a matter of urgency.
Applications of Omics Technology for Livestock Selection and Improvement
Authors: Chakraborty Dibyendu , Sharma Neelesh , Kour Savleen , Sodhi Simrinder Singh , Gupta Mukesh Kumar , Lee Sung Jin , Son Young Ok
Published: June 2022

Conventional animal selection and breeding methods were based on the phenotypic performance of the animals. These methods have limitations, particularly for sex-limited traits and traits expressed later in the life cycle (e.g., carcass traits). Consequently, the genetic gain has been slow with high generation intervals. With the advent of high-throughputomicstechniques and the availability ofmulti-omicstechnologies and sophisticated analytic packages, several promising tools and methods have been developed to estimate the actual genetic potential of the animals. It has now become possible to collect and access large and complex datasets comprising different genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and phonemics data as well as animal-level data (such as longevity, behavior, adaptation, etc.,), which provides new opportunities to better understand the mechanisms regulating animals’ actual performance. The cost ofomicstechnology and expertise of several fields like biology, bioinformatics, statistics, and computational biology make these technology impediments to its use in some cases. The population size and accurate phenotypic data recordings are other significant constraints for appropriate selection and breeding strategies. Nevertheless,omicstechnologies can estimate more accurate breeding values (BVs) and increase the genetic gain by assisting the section of genetically superior, disease-free animals at an early stage of life for enhancing animal productivity and profitability. This manuscript provides an overview of various omics technologies and their limitations for animal genetic selection and breeding decisions.
Heterologous Production and Evaluation of the Biological Activity of Cystatin-B From the Red Piranha Pygocentrus nattereri
Authors: Ramirez Merlano Juan Antonio , Almeida Daniela Volcan
Published: June 2022

Cystatin proteins are known to form a superfamily of cysteine protease inhibitors, which play a key role in protein degradation and are related to different physiological processes, such as development and immunity. Currently, numerous immunoregulatory proteins, such as cystatins, are being used in the control and prevention of diseases in aquaculture. Thus, the objective of this study was to produce recombinant cystatin (rCYST-B) from the red piranhaPygocentrus nattereriand to evaluate its effect on bacterial growth. The gene that encodes cystatin-B was isolated from the spleen ofP. nattereriand cloned in an expression system. The protein was produced via a heterologous system involving the yeastPichia pastorisX-33. The inhibitory activity of purified cystatin-B was evaluated on papain using different concentrations (0–80.0 μg/μL) of rCYST-B. The bacteriostatic action of the protein was evaluated using theKirby-Bauermethod on the growth ofEscherichia coliandBacillus subtilis. rCYST-B showed 100% inhibition at a concentration of 60 μg/μL. Moreover, the bacteriostatic activity ofE. coliandB. subtilisshowed inhibition of 40.36 and 49.08% compared to the negative control (phosphate buffer), respectively. These results suggest that recombinant CYST-B has biotechnological potential for use in aquaculture.
Longitudinal Study of DNA Methylation and Epigenetic Clocks Prior to and Following Test-Confirmed COVID-19 and mRNA Vaccination
Authors: Pang Alina P. S. , Higgins-Chen Albert T. , Comite Florence , Raica Ioana , Arboleda Christopher , Went Hannah , Mendez Tavis , Schotsaert Michael , Dwaraka Varun , Smith Ryan , Levine Morgan E. , Ndhlovu Lishomwa C. , Corley Michael J.
Published: June 2022

The host epigenetic landscape rapidly changes during SARS-CoV-2 infection, and evidence suggest that severe COVID-19 is associated with durable scars to the epigenome. Specifically, aberrant DNA methylation changes in immune cells and alterations to epigenetic clocks in blood relate to severe COVID-19. However, a longitudinal assessment of DNA methylation states and epigenetic clocks in blood from healthy individuals prior to and following test-confirmed non-hospitalized COVID-19 has not been performed. Moreover, the impact of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines upon the host epigenome remains understudied. Here, we first examined DNA methylation states in the blood of 21 participants prior to and following test-confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis at a median time frame of 8.35 weeks; 756 CpGs were identified as differentially methylated following COVID-19 diagnosis in blood at an FDR adjusted p-value < 0.05. These CpGs were enriched in the gene body, and the northern and southern shelf regions of genes involved in metabolic pathways. Integrative analysis revealed overlap among genes identified in transcriptional SARS-CoV-2 infection datasets. Principal component-based epigenetic clock estimates of PhenoAge and GrimAge significantly increased in people over 50 following infection by an average of 2.1 and 0.84 years. In contrast, PCPhenoAge significantly decreased in people fewer than 50 following infection by an average of 2.06 years. This observed divergence in epigenetic clocks following COVID-19 was related to age and immune cell-type compositional changes in CD4+ T cells, B cells, granulocytes, plasmablasts, exhausted T cells, and naïve T cells. Complementary longitudinal epigenetic clock analyses of 36 participants prior to and following Pfizer and Moderna mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination revealed that vaccination significantly reduced principal component-based Horvath epigenetic clock estimates in people over 50 by an average of 3.91 years for those who received Moderna. This reduction in epigenetic clock estimates was significantly related to chronological age and immune cell-type compositional changes in B cells and plasmablasts pre- and post-vaccination. These findings suggest the potential utility of epigenetic clocks as a biomarker of COVID-19 vaccine responses. Future research will need to unravel the significance and durability of short-term changes in epigenetic age related to COVID-19 exposure and mRNA vaccination.
A Robust Immuno-Prognostic Model of Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Indicates Dynamic Interaction in Tumor Immune Microenvironment Contributes to Cancer Progression
Authors: Sun Xiaomeng , Xu Huilin , Liu Gang , Chen Jiani , Xu Jinrong , Li Mingming , Liu Lei
Published: June 2022

Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) accounts for more than 70% of urothelial cancer. More than half of NMIBC patients experience recurrence, progression, or metastasis, which essentially reduces life quality and survival time. Identifying the high-risk patients prone to progression remains the primary concern of risk management of NMIBC. In this study, we included 1370 NMIBC transcripts data from nine public datasets, identified nine tumor-infiltrating marker cells highly related to the survival of NMIBC, quantified the cells’ proportion by self-defined differentially expressed signature genes, and established a robust immuno-prognostic model dividing NMIBC patients into low-risk versus high-risk progression groups. Our model implies that the loss of crosstalk between tumor cells and adjacent normal epithelium, along with enriched cell proliferation signals, may facilitate tumor progression. Thus, evaluating tumor progression should consider various components in the tumor immune microenvironment instead of the single marker in a single dimension. Moreover, we also appeal to the necessity of using appropriate meta-analysis methods to integrate the evidence from multiple sources in the feature selection step from large-scale heterogeneous omics data such as our study.
Comprehensive Analysis of the Expression and Prognosis for MCM4 in Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma
Authors: Pei Li-Peng , Zhang Yun-Zheng , Li Guang-Ying , Sun Jing-Li
Published: June 2022

Background: Mini chromosome maintenance protein 4 (MCM4) belongs to the family of mini chromosome maintenance proteins (MCMs) that plays a crucial role in DNA replication and cell cycle regulation. Given that MCM4 has been reported to be aberrantly expressed in a variety of tumor tissues, and is strongly associated with poor patient prognosis, it has rarely been reported in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC).

Methods: We explored the role of MCM4 in UCEC through multi-omics analysis, including gene expression levels, survival prognosis, the biological function of interacting proteins, immune infiltration, and diagnostic value. Finally, these results were confirmed by biological experiments.

Results: MCM4 was highly expressed in various malignancies including UCEC compared to normal samples and was associated with poor prognosis in patients with UCEC [including OS (HR = 1.74, p = 0.009), PFI (HR = 1.73, p = 0.002), PFI (HR = 2.23, p = 0.003)]. In the Cox regression analysis, MCM4 was an independent prognostic biomarker. Further studies showed those interacting proteins of MCM4 were enriched in DNA repair and cell cycle. Moreover, high expression of MCM4 was accompanied by lower infiltration of immune cells such as Treg cells and B cells. The distribution of MCM4 expression in molecular and immune subtypes was significantly different (p < 0.05), with high expression in the copynumber high (CN_HIGH) molecular subtype and the IFN-gamma dominant (C2) immune subtype. RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry results also showed that MCM4 expression was significantly upregulated in endometrial cancer tissues and negatively correlated with patient prognosis (p < 0.05). Subsequent biological experiments confirmed that MCM4 promoted cell growth and invasion and inhibited apoptosis in vitro.

Conclusion: Therefore, MCM4 could be a new potential biomarker for UCEC.
ASCL2 Affects the Efficacy of Immunotherapy in Colon Adenocarcinoma Based on Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Analysis
Authors: Wu Lei , Sun Shengnan , Qu Fei , Liu Xiuxiu , Sun Meili , Pan Ying , Zheng Yan , Su Guohai
Published: June 2022

Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is one of the leading causes of cancer-associated deaths worldwide. Patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) tumors were shown to highly benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) than patients with microsatellite stable (MSS) tumors. Furthermore, the infiltration of immune cells and the expression of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in COAD were associated with the anti-tumor immune response. However, the potential mechanisms showing the relationship between microsatellite instability and CSCs or tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) have not been elucidated. Accumulating evidence reveals that achaete-scute family bHLH transcription factor 2 (ASCL2) plays a crucial role in the initiation and progression of COAD and drug resistance. However, the specific biological functions of ASCL2 in COAD remain unknown. In this study, we performed weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) between MSS and MSI-H subsets of COAD. The results revealed that ASCL2 was a potential key candidate in COAD. Subsequently, the single-cell RNA-seq revealed that ASCL2 was positively associated with CSCs. Further, ASCL2 was shown to indirectly affect tumor immune cell infiltration by negatively regulating the expression of DUSP4. Finally, we inferred that the immunotherapy-sensitive role of ASCL2/DUSP4 axis on COAD is partly attributed to the activation of WNT/β-catenin pathway. In conclusion, this study revealed that ASCL2 was positively correlated to CSCs and tumor immune infiltration in COAD. Therefore, ASCL2 is a promising predictor of clinical responsiveness to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy in COAD.