bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Going Up in the World: Architecture in the Works of Don DeLillo
Authors: Robson Margaret
Published: May 2024

Born in the Bronx and a lifetime inhabitant of New York City, Don DeLillo is one of the great novelists and chroniclers of New York. The architecture of New York infuses the pages and appears on the covers of many of his novels. Seen and experienced from street level, roof top vista, or aerial vantage point, towers and skyscrapers play key roles in novels such as Underworld, Players, and Falling Man. So, however, do these constructions’ opposites – bunkers, basements, and other subterranean spaces. In his novels, DeLillo often explores the dilemmas of living with the past and the future, of success and failure, bigness and smallness, and of the transformation from immigrant to American. This is seen most clearly in the case of Underworld’s protagonist, Nick Shay, and it is a trajectory which is evidenced by the physical spaces in which the characters live and hide, bury and contain their secrets and their trophies. This chapter takes a closer look at the built environment in DeLillo’s worlds, the space, places, and spaces we imagine, construct and occupy, and how DeLillo’s portrayal of the physical city atomises the ostensible immigrant dream of ‘going up in the world’.
Technofeudalism or Technosocialism? WeChat as Socialist Alternative to Platform Capitalism
Authors: Henkle Jonah
Published: May 2024

The emergence of Chinese platform technology, WeChat (微信) an application that singularly incorporates functions of messaging, social media, financial services and more, marks a new development in the construction of Chinese socialism and the Chi- nese nation-building project. What then of the Western critiques of platform tech- nology and their interaction with political economy: technofeudalism and platform capitalism? This article argues that these analyses which successfully critique the way Big Tech platforms have manifested as technologies for capitalist extraction in the West do not accurately account for the function of WeChat in China's system of socialist de- velopment. Notably, both platform capitalism and technofeudalism presuppose that platform technologies emerge out of neoliberalism. Arguing that WeChat's advance- ment and success is partly attributed to China's rejection of neoliberal austerity politics and policy, this article looks to WeChat as a potential alternative to Western modes of digital capitalism.
Enhancing rainfed safflower yield, oil content, and fatty acid composition through intercropping with chickpea and stress-modifier biostimulants
Authors: Mosalman Salah , Rezaei-Chiyaneh Esmaeil , Mahdavikia Hassan , Dolatabadian Aria , Siddique Kadambot H.M.
Published: May 2024

This study investigated the impact of stress modifiers in intercropping systems on seed yield and yield components, physiological traits, and antioxidant activity of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under rainfed (water deficit) conditions. The experimental design included three stress modulator levels [control, 1 mM salicylic acid (SA), and 10 mM selenium (Se)] and five planting patterns [intercropping one row of safflower and two rows of chickpeas (1S:2C), two rows of safflower and four rows of chickpeas (2S:4C), and three rows of safflower and five rows of chickpeas (3S:5C), and sole cropping of safflower (Ss) and chickpea (Cs)]. The results revealed that Ss treated with Se produced the highest safflower biological yield (4,905.50 kg ha−1) and seed yield (1,259.50 kg ha−1), while Cs produced the highest chickpea biological yield (2,799.67 kg ha−1) and seed yield (852.44 kg ha−1), followed by Cs treated with SA (2,419.25 kg ha−1 and 764.83 kg ha−1, respectively). Conversely, the 3S:5C intercropping ratio (IR) with Se application recorded the highest safflower oil content (32.08%), while Ss treated with Se produced the highest oil yield (358.62 kg ha−1). The 2S:4C configuration with Se application produced the highest unsaturated fatty acid (oleic and linoleic acids) concentrations in safflower, while 2S:4C and 3S:5C treated with Se produced the highest chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b contents in safflower and chickpea. Furthermore, 1S:2C and 2S:4C treated with SA or Se produced the highest proline and total soluble sugars in safflower and chickpea. The SA and Se treatments in the intercropping systems increased catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activities compared to the respective control plants (sole cropping) and enhanced oil contents, fatty acid composition, physiological traits, and antioxidant properties. These results underscore the potential of intercropping systems coupled with stress modulator treatments as a sustainable approach for safflower and chickpea cultivation under rainfed conditions.
Bioprocess monitoring applications of an innovative ATR-FTIR spectroscopy platform
Authors: Christie Loren , Rutherford Samantha , Palmer David S. , Baker Matthew J. , Butler Holly J.
Published: May 2024

Pharmaceutical manufacturing is reliant upon bioprocessing approaches to generate the range of therapeutic products that are available today. The high cost of production, susceptibility to process failure, and requirement to achieve consistent, high-quality product means that process monitoring is paramount during manufacturing. Process analytic technologies (PAT) are key to ensuring high quality product is produced at all stages of development. Spectroscopy-based technologies are well suited as PAT approaches as they are non-destructive and require minimum sample preparation. This study explored the use of a novel attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy platform, which utilises disposable internal reflection elements (IREs), as a method of upstream bioprocess monitoring. The platform was used to characterise organism health and to quantify cellular metabolites in growth media using quantification models to predict glucose and lactic acid levels both singularly and combined. Separation of the healthy and nutrient deficient cells within PC space was clearly apparent, indicating this technique could be used to characterise these classes. For the metabolite quantification, the binary models yielded R2 values of 0.969 for glucose, 0.976 for lactic acid. When quantifying the metabolites in tandem using a multi-output partial least squares model, the corresponding R2 value was 0.980. This initial study highlights the suitability of the platform for bioprocess monitoring and paves the way for future in-line developments.
Oral microbiome sequencing revealed the enrichment of Fusobacterium sp., Porphyromonas sp., Campylobacter sp., and Neisseria sp. on the oral malignant fibroma surface of giant panda
Authors: Wang Xiaowan , Jing Meiling , Ma Qizhao , Lin Yongwang , Zheng Ting , Yan Jiangchuan , Yun Libing , Wang Chengdong , Li Yuqing
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Microbial community composition is closely associated with host disease onset and progression, underscoring the importance of understanding host–microbiota dynamics in various health contexts.

Methods

In this study, we utilized full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing to conduct species-level identification of the microorganisms in the oral cavity of a giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) with oral malignant fibroma.

Results

We observed a significant difference between the microbial community of the tumor side and non-tumor side of the oral cavity of the giant panda, with the latter exhibiting higher microbial diversity. The tumor side was dominated by specific microorganisms, such as Fusobacterium simiae, Porphyromonas sp. feline oral taxon 110, Campylobacter sp. feline oral taxon 100, and Neisseria sp. feline oral taxon 078, that have been reported to be associated with tumorigenic processes and periodontal diseases in other organisms. According to the linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis, more than 9 distinct biomarkers were obtained between the tumor side and non-tumor side samples. Furthermore, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis revealed that the oral microbiota of the giant panda was significantly associated with genetic information processing and metabolism, particularly cofactor and vitamin, amino acid, and carbohydrate metabolism. Furthermore, a significant bacterial invasion of epithelial cells was predicted in the tumor side.

Discussion

This study provides crucial insights into the association between oral microbiota and oral tumors in giant pandas and offers potential biomarkers that may guide future health assessments and preventive strategies for captive and aging giant pandas.
Spatial-temporal evolution and prediction of carbon storage in Mohe city by linking the logistic-CA-Markov and InVEST models
Authors: Yan Xuan , Li Miao , Guo Dianfan , Yang Dongyu , Zhan Daqing
Published: May 2024

Carbon storage plays a vital role in the provision of ecosystem services, and the alteration of land use has a profound influence on the carbon storage capacity of ecosystems. Therefore, in this study, two scenarios of natural evolution scenario (NES) and ecological conservation scenario (ECS) were set up based on the development of Mohe City,China. Meanwhile, a coupled model of LUCC and ecosystem carbon storage was established using Logistic-CA-Markov and InVEST models, as well as optimal parameters_based geographical Detector and GeoDa, to predict the distribution and change of ecosystem carbon storage based on LUCC in the future. The effects of different influencing factors on the spatial differentiation of carbon storage were also explored. The results show that: (1) From 1980 to 2020, the land use type in Mohe City was dominated by the forest and its area decreased; the area of wetland increased. From 2020 to 2040, ecological benefits will be shown under the ECS, with an increase in forest and a slower expansion of built-up. (2) Carbon loss in Mohe City from 1980 to 2020 was 4.04Tg. Under the ECS carbon storage increased slightly by 0.2Tg. Soil carbon storage was the main carbon pool in Mohe City, and forest was the largest contributor. The carbon storage of Mohe city in 2030 and 2040 has a strong positive spatial correlation. Hot spots in more than a cold spots area, the high value area is concentrated in the east, low concentrated in urban areas. (3) Apart from LUCC, mean annual precipitation was the most significant factors affecting the spatial differentiation variability of carbon storage. The interactions of mean annual precipitation and population density with other factors exhibit a non-linear enhancement,which had a coefficient of 21.91%. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the relationship between LUCC and carbon storage.
Changes in peripheral oxytocin and vasopressin during a silent month-long Insight meditation retreat
Authors: Conklin Quinn A. , Zanesco Anthony P. , King Brandon G. , Epel Elissa S. , Saron Clifford D.
Published: May 2024

Background

Given its putative roles in mediating prosocial behavior, attachment bonds, and stress physiology, oxytocin modulation has been hypothesized to be a biological correlate of the salubrious effects of meditation practice. Here we investigated the effects of a month-long silent meditation retreat on changes in oxytocin, and the related hormone and vasopressin, in relation to psychosocial changes in attachment style, anxiety, personality measures, and feelings of social connectedness with fellow meditators.

Methods

Plasma oxytocin and vasopressin and self-report questionnaires were measured in retreat participants (n = 28) at the beginning of, and 3 weeks into, a residential meditation retreat. Control participants (n = 34), who were similar in age, gender, and meditation experience, were also assessed across a 3-week interval. Linear mixed effects models were used to assess outcomes.

Results

The retreat group showed a small but significant decrease in oxytocin compared to controls who showed no change. In the retreat group, higher openness to experience at Time 1 predicted greater reductions in oxytocin during the retreat, and lower oxytocin at Time 2 was related to stronger feelings of personal connection with fellow meditators. The changes in oxytocin were not related to attachment style or anxiety. Vasopressin decreased over time across both groups, suggesting no specific effect of retreat.

Conclusion

These preliminary findings suggest that meditation training in the context of a silent residential retreat may reduce circulating levels of oxytocin. We interpret this finding from multiple theoretical perspectives, discussing key measurement limitations and proposing future study designs that may help to differentiate the effects of different meditation practices and contexts on oxytocin signaling.
Pathological characteristics of reoperated regrowing clinically nonfunctioning pituitary tumor cases in comparison with initial surgical cases
Authors: Ishida Atsushi , Inoshita Naoko , Tanabe Noriaki , Takano Koji , Tanaka-Mizuno Sachiko , Kato Masataka , Yoshimoto Haruko , Shiramizu Hideki , Matsuoka Go , Yamada Shozo
Published: May 2024

Objective

Postoperative nonfunctioning pituitary tumor (NFPT) regrowth is a significant concern, but its predictive factors are not well established. This study aimed to elucidate the pathological characteristics of NFPTs indicated for reoperation for tumor regrowth.

Methods

Pathological, radiological, and clinical data were collected from patients who underwent repeat operation for NFPT at Moriyama Memorial Hospital (MMH) between April 2018 and September 2023. For comparison, we also gathered data from patients who underwent initial surgery for NFPT during the same period at MMH.

Results

Overall, 61 and 244 NFPT patients who respectively underwent reoperation and initial operation were evaluated. The mean period between the previous operation and reoperation was 113 months. Immunonegativity for any adenohypophyseal hormone was significantly more frequent in the reoperation group than in the initial operation group. In addition, the rate of hormone-negative but transcription factor–positive (H-/TF+) tumors among silent gonadotroph tumors was significantly higher in the reoperation group than in the initial operation group. Furthermore, seven silent corticotroph tumors (SCTs) in the reoperation group were ACTH-negative but TPIT-positive. Because most of the previous surgeries were performed in other hospitals a long time ago, we could procure the previous pathological results with immunohistochemistry (IHC) only from 21 patients. IHC for TF had not been performed in all the previous specimens. IHC for adenohypophyseal hormone was almost the same as the current results, and many H-/TF+ tumors were previously diagnosed as NCT. In addition, the reoperated patients were classified into 3 groups on the basis of the condition of the previous operation: gross total resection (GTR), 12 patients; subtotal resection (STR), 17 patients; and partial resection (PR), 32 patients. The mean Ki-67 LI in the GTR, STR, and PR subgroups were 1.82, 1.37, and 0.84, respectively, with the value being significantly higher in the GTR subgroup than in the PR subgroup (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The ratio of H-/TF+ tumors is significantly higher in symptomatically regrown tumors than in the initial cases, which used to be diagnosed as NCT. PR cases tend to grow symptomatically in a shorter period, even with lower Ki-67 LI than GTR cases.
Data-driven modeling techniques for prediction of settled water turbidity in drinking water treatment
Authors: McKelvey Sean , Abassi Amirhassan , Nataraj C. , Duran Metin
Published: May 2024

Drinking water treatment is a complex system of chemical, physical, and biological processes that is highly dependent on water quality and the design of the treatment process. To create decision-support tools, the prediction of key performance indicators, such as settled water turbidity, is needed. A variety of data-driven modeling techniques is available to formulate such predictions. Data-driven models provide valuable tools for formulating predictions where there is a lack of mechanistic models or the mechanisms are not fully understood, as in surface water treatment. The objective of this paper is to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of various data-driven techniques for this important, but difficult, problem. Recognizing that the size and quality of the dataset are most critical in this kind of analysis, this work uses one of the largest datasets used in this context consisting of 2,527 vectors of water quality and operational data (2,527 X nine data frame) from a full-scale water treatment plant. The paper constructs and compares the performance of the several data-driven models including k-nearest neighbor (KNN) regression, polynomial regression, and artificial neural networks (ANN). Based on test scaled root mean square error (RMSE), the ANN model was the most predictive (0.124). Similarly, the ANN model had the best predictive performance based on total scaled RMSE (0.086). These results show that ANNs have a high potential for the development of a future decision support system in selecting appropriate coagulant doses based on settled water turbidity.
Comparison of machine and deep learning algorithms using Google Earth Engine and Python for land classifications
Authors: Nigar Anam , Li Yang , Jat Baloch Muhammad Yousuf , Alrefaei Abdulwahed Fahad , Almutairi Mikhlid H.
Published: May 2024

Classifying land use and land cover (LULC) is essential for various environmental monitoring and geospatial analysis applications. This research focuses on land classification in District Sukkur, Pakistan, employing the comparison between machine and deep learning models. Three satellite indices, namely, NDVI, MNDWI, and NDBI, were derived from Landsat-8 data and utilized to classify four primary categories: Built-up Area, Water Bodies, Barren Land, and Vegetation. The main objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of comparison of machine and deep learning models. The machine learning models including Random Forest achieved an overall accuracy of 91.3% and a Kappa coefficient of 0.90. It accurately classified 2.7% of the area as Built-up Area, 1.9% as Water Bodies, 54.8% as Barren Land, and 40.4% as Vegetation. While slightly less accurate, Decision Tree model provided reliable classifications. Deep learning models showed significant accuracy, of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN). The CNN model achieved an impressive overall accuracy of 97.3%, excelling in classifying Water Bodies with User and Producer Accuracy exceeding 99%. The RNN model, with an overall accuracy of 96.2%, demonstrated strong performance in categorizing Vegetation. These findings offer valuable insights into the potential applications of machine learning and deep learning models for perfect land classifications, with implications for environmental monitoring management and geospatial analysis. The rigorous validation and comparative analysis of these models contribute to advancing remote sensing techniques and their utilization in land classification tasks. This research presents a significant contribution to the field and underscores the importance of precise land classification in the context of sustainable land management and environmental conservation.
Identification of biomarkers associated with ferroptosis in diabetic retinopathy based on WGCNA and machine learning
Authors: Guo Hui-qing , Xue Rong , Wan Guangming
Published: May 2024

Objective: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a chronic progressive eye disease that affects millions of diabetic patients worldwide, and ferroptosis may contribute to the underlying mechanisms of DR. The main objective of this work is to explore key genes associated with ferroptosis in DR and to determine their feasibility as diagnostic markers.

Methods: WGCNA identify the most relevant signature modules in DR. Machine learning methods were used to de-screen the feature genes. ssGSEA calculated the scoring of immune cells in the DR versus control samples and compared the associations with the core genes by Spearman correlation.

Results: We identified 2,897 differential genes in DR versus normal samples. WGCNA found tan module to have the highest correlation with DR patients. Finally, 20 intersecting genes were obtained from differential genes, tan module and iron death genes, which were screened by LASSO and SVM-RFE method, and together identified 6 genes as potential diagnostic markers. qPCR verified the expression and ROC curves confirmed the diagnostic accuracy of the 6 genes. In addition, our ssGSEA scoring identified these 6 core genes as closely associated with immune infiltrating cells.

Conclusion: In conclusion, we analyzed for the first time the potential link of iron death in the pathogenesis of DR. This has important implications for future studies of iron death-mediated pro-inflammatory immune mechanisms.
Efficacy of oral viscous budesonide to reduce dilation treatment after esophageal atresia repair: a retrospective study
Authors: Ruggiero Cosimo , Russo Giusy , Cozzi Denis , Ceccanti Silvia , Scanziani Chiara , Volpe Danila , Papoff Paola , Spatuzzo Mattia , Spyropoulou Vasiliki , Oliva Salvatore
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Anastomotic stricture is a common complication following esophageal atresia (EA) repair, substantially affecting the patient’s quality of life (QoL). Multiple dilations are often required to maintain the appropriate diameter of the esophagus, leading to ongoing challenges. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of oral viscous budesonide (OVB) in prolonging the time between symptom recurrence and subsequent dilation.

Methods

We carried out a retrospective single-center study for pediatric patients (0–18 years) who had undergone recurrent esophageal dilations (≥3) following EA repair and initiated treatment with OVB (1 mg/day <10 years, otherwise 2 mg/day). Efficacy of treatment was determined by assessing a dysphagia symptom score (DSS) ≤1 for at least 3 months. Recurrence time to dysphagia and dilation were analyzed according to Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

Of 29 patients screened, 19 were enrolled: 19/19 were responsive to OVB and 13/19 (68%) didn’t required further dilations. The median time between dilations was significantly prolonged compared to the pre-treatment period [30 months vs 2 months; p<0.01] as well as the time to dysphagia relapse [18 months vs 1 month; p<0.01].

Conclusion

Topical budesonide has proven to be an effective treatment for recurrent esophageal stricture in repaired EA. Further investigation is required to assess the long-term sustained response of symptoms to topical steroids.
Magnitude of preterm birth and associated factors Among mothers who gave birth in Debre Berhan comprehensive specialized hospital
Authors: Kibret Yosef , Bunie Abebe Minda , Mohammed Sadat , Tamene Tilahun Deresse , Dejene Tadesse Mamo
Published: May 2024

Background

Premature deliveries are a major public health issue, with high health, economic, and productivity costs associated with lengthy hospitalizations in neonatal critical care units. The goal of this study was to determine the number of premature births in Ethiopia's Debre Berhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital and the factors that influence them.

Methods

The Debre Berhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital conducted an institution-based cross-sectional study between February and April 2020. A total of 325 study participants were selected using systematic random sampling. Face-to-face interviews using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire were used to collect data. For data entry and analysis, Epi data version 3.1 and SPSS version 20 were used. At a P-value of 0.2, bivariate logistic regression analysis was used to categorize candidate variables to the next level, and variables in multivariate logistic regression models with a p-value of 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Result

Preterm births accounted for 16.1% of all births at Debre Berhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Cesarean section [AOR = 2.412; 95% CI (1.154, 5.0370)], twin pregnancy [AOR = 3.524; 95% CI (1.114, 11.150)], and maternal anemia during pregnancy [AOR = 3.124; 95% CI (1.417, 6.887)] were statistically significant associations with the outcome variable in the final logistic regression model.

Conclusion and recommendation

Preterm birth was found to be greater in the study area than in the Global Action Report for Sub-Saharan Africa and a few other countries. Efforts should be made to prevent maternal health issues that lead to caesarean section, and all pregnant mothers should be supplemented with iron and folic acid as soon as feasible. This study suggests that there is still a gap in the field in terms of health service intervention.
Distinct cuproptosis patterns in hepatocellular carcinoma patients correlate with unique immune microenvironment characteristics and cell-cell communication, contributing to varied overall survival outcomes
Authors: Wang Yanhong , Mang Xinyu , Guo Xiaohong , Pu Junfeng
Published: May 2024

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a prevalent cancer, is linked to cuproptosis in tumor progression. However, cuproptosis's impact on HCC prognosis and its role in the tumor microenvironment remain unclear. We aimed to explore the correlation between cellular cuproptosis and the immune microenvironment in HCC, providing potential immunotherapeutic insights.

Methods

Examining cuproptosis-related genes and the immune microenvironment through consensus clustering and WGCNA. Risk models were constructed using LASSO Cox analysis and validated in an independent cohort. Gene expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were utilized. We scored cuproptosis expression and explored immunoinfiltration and cell-cell communication. Differential signals in T_memory cells were compared across different cuproptosis levels.

Results

Cuproptosis genes associated with fibroblast recruitment (GLS) and macrophage infiltration (FDX1). Liver cancer patients categorized into two subtypes based on cuproptosis gene expression. High expression of DLAT, GLS, and CDKN2A linked to immunosuppression (TGF-β), while high FDX1, MTF1, LIAS, and LIPT1 expression enhanced communication with non-immune cells. Developed reliable prognostic signature score and nomogram using cuproptosis-related genes. Single-cell analysis revealed differences in T_memory and TAM infiltration based on cuproptosis scores, with SPP1 and MIF as dominant signaling molecules. Finally, the results of in vitro experiments showed that when DLAT or CDKN2A was knocked down, the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells were significantly decreased.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that cuproptosis affects the immune microenvironment and cell-cell communication. Identified 9 genetic markers predicting survival outcomes and immunotherapy responses. Evaluating cuproptosis signaling can optimize immunotherapeutic strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Glycolipid antigen recognition by invariant natural killer T cells and its role in homeostasis and antimicrobial responses
Authors: Hayashizaki Koji , Kamii Yasuhiro , Kinjo Yuki
Published: May 2024

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of developing effective vaccines has received more attention than ever before. To maximize the effects of vaccines, it is important to select adjuvants that induce strong and rapid innate and acquired immune responses. Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, which constitute a small population among lymphocytes, bypass the innate and acquired immune systems through the rapid production of cytokines after glycolipid recognition; hence, their activation could be used as a vaccine strategy against emerging infectious diseases. Additionally, the diverse functions of iNKT cells, including enhancing antibody production, are becoming more understood in recent years. In this review, we briefly describe the functional subset of iNKT cells and introduce the glycolipid antigens recognized by them. Furthermore, we also introduce novel vaccine development taking advantages of iNKT cell activation against infectious diseases.
The disrupted molecular circadian clock of monocytes and macrophages in allergic inflammation
Authors: Teppan Julia , Schwanzer Juliana , Rittchen Sonja , Bärnthaler Thomas , Lindemann Jörg , Nayak Barsha , Reiter Bernhard , Luschnig Petra , Farzi Aitak , Heinemann Akos , Sturm Eva
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Macrophage dysfunction is a common feature of inflammatory disorders such as asthma, which is characterized by a strong circadian rhythm.

Methods and results

We monitored the protein expression pattern of the molecular circadian clock in human peripheral blood monocytes from healthy, allergic, and asthmatic donors during a whole day. Monocytes cultured of these donors allowed us to examine circadian protein expression in human monocyte-derived macrophages, M1- and M2- polarized macrophages. In monocytes, particularly from allergic asthmatics, the oscillating expression of circadian proteins CLOCK, BMAL, REV ERBs, and RORs was significantly altered. Similar changes in BMAL1 were observed in polarized macrophages from allergic donors and in tissue-resident macrophages from activated precision cut lung slices. We confirmed clock modulating, anti-inflammatory, and lung-protective properties of the inverse ROR agonist SR1001 by reduced secretion of macrophage inflammatory protein and increase in phagocytosis. Using a house dust mite model, we verified the therapeutic effect of SR1001 in vivo.

Discussion

Overall, our data suggest an interaction between the molecular circadian clock and monocytes/macrophages effector function in inflammatory lung diseases. The use of SR1001 leads to inflammatory resolution in vitro and in vivo and represents a promising clock-based therapeutic approach for chronic pulmonary diseases such as asthma.
Tick distribution and comparative analysis of bovine blood microbiome in two provinces of South Africa using 16S rRNA PacBio sequencing approach
Authors: Khoza Bongekile L. , Byaruhanga Charles , Makgabo S. Marcus , Nyangiwe Nkululeko , Mnisi Themba , Nxumalo Samukelo , Oosthuizen Marinda C. , Mnisi Zamantungwa T. H.
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Ticks are obligate ectoparasites recognized worldwide as major vectors of several disease-causing pathogens and are good indicators of disease distribution and epidemiology. Recent years have seen a growing concern regarding emerging and re-emerging of economically important tick-borne pathogens of livestock and humans worldwide. The overall objective of the study was to give an insight into current tick distribution and associated bacterial pathogens that may pose a threat to cattle in the sampled study sites.

Methods

A total of 150 cattle were randomly selected from three study sites, Harrismith and Phuthaditjhaba in Free State Province and Bergville in KwaZulu Natal Province, South Africa. Blood samples were collected from the cattle and DNA was subjected to the 16S rRNA gene microbiome sequencing on the circular consensus PacBio sequencing platform. Ticks were also collected from various predilection sites of the sampled animals.

Results

A total of eight tick species were identified and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (79.4%) was the most abundant followed by R. appendiculatus (11.7%), R. afranicus (2.6%), R. simus (2.6%), Hyalomma rufipes (1.2%), R. decoloratus (1.0%), H. truncatum (0.7%) and R. microplus (0.7%). The bacterial microbiome sequence analysis revealed up to 16 phyla and 30 classes in the three study sites. Proteobacteria was the most dominant bacterial phyla with a relative abundance of 67.2% (Bergville), 73.8% (Harrismith) and 84.8% (Phuthaditjhaba), followed by Firmicutes at 9.6% (Phuthaditjhaba), 18.9% (Bergville) and 19.6% (Harrismith).

Conclusion and perspectives

The Chao 1 index estimator revealed significant differences in the α-diversity of microbial communities among three study sites. This study expands the knowledge on tick fauna and microbial communities in the three study sites.
Evaluation of marine economic development demonstration zone policy on marine industrial structure optimization: a case study of Zhejiang, China
Authors: Cui Yuhu , Xu Hanxiao , An Dong , Yang Lin
Published: May 2024

The marine economic development demonstration zone (MEDDZ) is the regional marine functional policy that assumes the significant tasks of innovation in the system and mechanism of the marine economy, optimization of the marine industrial structures, and the construction of marine ecological civilization. This paper constructs a panel database of 11 coastal provinces in China from 2006 to 2019, takes the Zhejiang Marine Economy Development Demonstration Zone Plan officially approved by the State Council of China in 2011 as a quasi-natural experiment, applies the synthetic control method (SCM) to evaluate the effect of implementation of the MEDDZ policy on marine industrial structure optimization in Zhejiang. The results show that: (1) The MEDDZ policy significantly promotes the structure optimization of the marine industry in Zhejiang and the existence of the policy lag phenomenon. (2) Based on the results of the robustness tests, we find that the fitted path of policy effects is better when the time of MEDDZ implementation is adjusted to 2012. (3) Government financial support and marine cargo capacity play a role in implementing the MEDDZ policy, positively affecting and optimizing the coastal marine industry’s structure. Therefore, we make some suggestions from the perspectives of strengthening the policy implementation process, focusing on the policy lag phenomenon, and broadening funding sources, thus enriching theoretical research on policies in the field of the marine industry and providing practical references for the development of other coastal demonstration zones.
Longer prostate stromal cell telomere length is associated with increased risk of death from other cancers
Authors: Mori Joakin O. , Platz Elizabeth A. , Lu Jiayun , Brame Alexandria , Han Misop , Joshu Corinne E. , De Marzo Angelo M. , Meeker Alan K. , Heaphy Christopher M.
Published: May 2024

Background

Telomeres are located at chromosomal termini and function to maintain genomic integrity. Telomere dysfunction is a well-recognized contributor to aging and age-related diseases, such as prostate cancer. Since telomere length is highly heritable, we postulate that stromal cell telomere length in the tissue of a particular solid organ may generally reflect constitutive stromal cell telomere length in other solid organs throughout the body. Even with telomere loss occurring with each round of cell replication, in general, telomere length in prostate stromal cells in mid-life would still be correlated with the telomere length in stromal cells in other organs. Thus, we hypothesize that prostate stromal cell telomere length and/or telomere length variability is a potential indicator of the likelihood of developing future solid cancers, beyond prostate cancer, and especially lethal cancer.

Methods

To explore this hypothesis, we conducted a cohort study analysis of 1,175 men who were surgically treated for prostate cancer and were followed for death, including from causes other than their prostate cancer.

Results

In this cohort study with a median follow-up of 19 years, we observed that longer prostate stromal cell telomere length measured in tissue microarray spots containing prostate cancer was associated with an increased risk of death from other solid cancers. Variability in telomere length among these prostate stromal cells was possibly positively associated with risk of death from other solid cancers.

Conclusion

Studying the link between stromal cell telomere length and cancer mortality may be important for guiding the development of cancer interception and prevention strategies.
Causal effects of gut microbiota on the risk of osteomyelitis: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Xu Ran , Li Si , Zhang Ying , Pu Yue , Luo Guangcheng , Wang Xinjun
Published: May 2024

Background

Osteomyelitis is characterized by an inflammatory process initiated by microorganisms, leading to infection and subsequent degradation of bone tissue. Several studies have indicated a potential link between gut microbiota and the occurrence of osteomyelitis. Utilizing the benefits of Mendelian randomization, which mitigates issues of confounding and reverse causation, we employed this approach to ascertain the presence of a causal connection between gut microbiota and osteomyelitis. Additionally, we aimed to pinpoint gut microbiota that could potentially exert substantial influence.

Methods

We performed a rigorous screening of single nucleotide polymorphisms in GWAS summary statistics for gut microbiota and osteomyelitis. The 2,542 instrumental variables obtained after screening were subjected to MR analyses, including inverse variance weighting, weighted median, weighted mode, MR-Egger, and Mendelian randomization pleiotropy residual sum and outlier test. We then validated the reliability of the results by performing sensitivity analyses on the MR of 196 well-defined gut microbiota.

Result

We established a causal relationship between gut microbiota and osteomyelitis through MR analysis. Additionally, we identified a taxon of significant importance and six taxons with nominal significance. Specifically, the family Bacteroidales S24.7 group exhibited an association with a diminished risk of osteomyelitis development. Conversely, the class Bacilli, class Bacteroidia, order Bacteroidales, order Lactobacillales, family Streptococcaceae, and genus Coprococcus3 displayed an increased risk of developing osteomyelitis. The MR outcomes for these seven taxa remained stable throughout a series of sensitivity analyses.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated a causal relationship between gut microbiota and osteomyelitis by Mendelian randomization. We hope that this study will provide a new direction for the treatment of osteomyelitis, which has a paucity of therapeutic options.
COVID-19-associated encephalopathy: connection between neuroinflammation and microbiota-gut-brain axis
Authors: Duve Khrystyna , Petakh Pavlo , Kamyshnyi Oleksandr
Published: May 2024

While neurological complications of COVID-19, such as encephalopathy, are relatively rare, their potential significant impact on long-term morbidity is substantial, especially given the large number of infected patients. Two proposed hypotheses for the pathogenesis of this condition are hypoxia and the uncontrolled release of proinflammatory cytokines. The gut microbiota plays an important role in regulating immune homeostasis and overall gut health, including its effects on brain health through various pathways collectively termed the gut–brain axis. Recent studies have shown that COVID-19 patients exhibit gut dysbiosis, but how this dysbiosis can affect inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS) remains unclear. In this context, we discuss how dysbiosis could contribute to neuroinflammation and provide recent data on the features of neuroinflammation in COVID-19 patients.
Exploring the diverse biological significance and roles of fucosylated oligosaccharides
Authors: Pekdemir Burcu , Karav Sercan
Published: May 2024

Long since, carbohydrates were thought to be used just as an energy source and structural material. However, in recent years, with the emergence of the field of glycobiology and advances in glycomics, much has been learned about the biological role of oligosaccharides, a carbohydrate polymer containing a small number of monosaccharides, in cell–cell interaction, signal transduction, immune response, pathogen adhesion processes, early embryogenesis, and apoptosis. The function of oligosaccharides in these processes is diversified by fucosylation, also known as modification of oligosaccharides. Fucosylation has allowed the identification of more than 100 different oligosaccharide structures that provide functional diversity. ABO blood group and Lewis antigens are among the best known fucosyl-linked oligosaccharides. In addition, the antigens in the ABO system are composed of various sugar molecules, including fucosylated oligosaccharides, and Lewis antigens are structurally similar to ABO antigens but differ in the linkage of sugars. Variation in blood group antigen expression affects the host’s susceptibility to many infections. However, altered expression of ABO and Lewis antigens is related with prognosis in carcinoma types. In addition, many pathogens recognize and bind to human tissues using a protein receptor with high affinity for the fucose molecule in glycoconjugates, such as lectin. Fucosylated oligosaccharides also play vital roles during fertilization and early embryogenesis. Learning and memory-related processes such as neurite growth, neurite migration, and synapse formation seen during the development of the brain, which is among the first organs to develop in embryogenesis, are regulated by fucosylated oligosaccharides. In conclusion, this review mentions the vital roles of fucosylated oligosaccharides in biology, drawing attention to their importance in the development of chemical tools to be used in function analysis and the investigation of various therapeutic targets.
The mechanisms of white matter injury and immune system crosstalk in promoting the progression of Parkinson’s disease: a narrative review
Authors: Ma Wen , Geng Yifan , Liu Youhan , Pan Huixin , Wang Qinglu , Zhang Yaohua , Wang Liping
Published: May 2024

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is neurodegenerative disease in middle-aged and elderly people with some pathological mechanisms including immune disorder, neuroinflammation, white matter injury and abnormal aggregation of alpha-synuclein, etc. New research suggests that white matter injury may be important in the development of PD, but how inflammation, the immune system, and white matter damage interact to harm dopamine neurons is not yet understood. Therefore, it is particularly important to delve into the crosstalk between immune cells in the central and peripheral nervous system based on the study of white matter damage in PD. This crosstalk could not only exacerbate the pathological process of PD but may also reveal new therapeutic targets. By understanding how immune cells penetrate through the blood–brain barrier and activate inflammatory responses within the central nervous system, we can better grasp the impact of structural destruction of white matter in PD and explore how this process can be modulated to mitigate or combat disease progression. Microglia, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and peripheral immune cells (especially T cells) play a central role in its pathological process where these immune cells produce and respond to pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and interleukin-6(IL-6), and white matter injury causes microglia to become pro-inflammatory and release inflammatory mediators, which attract more immune cells to the damaged area, increasing the inflammatory response. Moreover, white matter damage also causes dysfunction of blood–brain barrier, allows peripheral immune cells and inflammatory factors to invade the brain further, and enhances microglia activation forming a vicious circle that intensifies neuroinflammation. And these factors collectively promote the neuroinflammatory environment and neurodegeneration changes of PD. Overall, these findings not only deepen our understanding of the complexity of PD, but also provide new targets for the development of therapeutic strategies focused on inflammation and immune regulation mechanisms. In summary, this review provided the theoretical basis for clarifying the pathogenesis of PD, summarized the association between white matter damage and the immune cells in the central and peripheral nervous systems, and then emphasized their potential specific mechanisms of achieving crosstalk with further aggravating the pathological process of PD.
Efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency in the treatment of the ophthalmic branch of postherpetic trigeminal neuralgia
Authors: Li Fubo , Gong Gege , Zhang Yue , Ou Cehua
Published: May 2024

Objective

To investigate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) targeting the supraorbital nerve for treating the ophthalmic branch of postherpetic trigeminal neuralgia.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving patients who presented at the Department of Pain, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from January 2015 to January 2022. The patients were diagnosed with the first branch of postherpetic trigeminal neuralgia. In total, 63 patients were included based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients were divided into the following two groups based on the treatment method used: the nerve block (NB) group (n = 32) and the PRF + NB group (radiofrequency group, n = 31). The visual analog scale (VAS) score, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, and pregabalin dose were compared between the two groups before treatment, 1 week after the procedure, and 1, 3, and 6 months post-procedure, and the complications, such as local infection, local hematoma, and decreased visual acuity, were monitored post-treatment.

Results

No significant difference was found in terms of pretreatment age, sex, course of disease, preoperative VAS score, preoperative PSQI score, and preoperative pregabalin dose between the two groups (P > 0.05). The postoperative VAS score, PSQI score, and pregabalin dose were significantly decreased in both groups. Furthermore, significant differences were found between the two groups at each preoperative and postoperative time point (P < 0.05). The VAS score was lower in the radiofrequency group than in the NB group at 1, 3, and 6 months, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The PSQI score was lower in the radiofrequency group than in the NB group at 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months post-procedure, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The dose of pregabalin was lower in the radiofrequency group than in the NB group at 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months post-procedure, and the difference was statistically significant at 3 and 6 months (P < 0.05). After 6 months of treatment, the excellent rate of VAS score in the radiofrequency group was 70.96%, and the overall effective rate was 90.32%, which was higher than that in the NB group. The difference in the efficacy was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

PRF targeting the supraorbital nerve can effectively control the pain in the first branch of the trigeminal nerve after herpes, enhance sleep quality, and reduce the dose of pregabalin. Thus, this study shows that PRF is safe under ultrasound guidance and is worthy of clinical application.