bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The application of acupuncture in cardiopathy: A bibliometric analysis based on Web of Science across ten recent years
Authors: Li Xiao , Yin Zihan , Ling Fayang , Zheng Qianhua , Li Xiang , Qi Wenchuan , Liang Fanrong
Published: September 2022

Background

With high morbidity and mortality, cardiopathy is a major component of cardiovascular disease, causing a huge burden of disease to public health worldwide. In recent years, research on acupuncture treatment of cardiopathies has been increasing. However, no bibliometric analysis has been conducted to systematically describe the research progress and hotspots in this field. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct a bibliometric analysis of the relevant literature to explore the current status and future development of acupuncture for cardiopathies.

Methods

The Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection Database was searched for literature related to acupuncture therapies for cardiopathies from 2011 to 2021. Using CiteSpace 5.8 R3, cooperation network diagrams of authors, institutions, countries and journals, keyword co-occurrences, and clustering were performed and analyzed.

Results

A total of 321 studies were included. Overall, the number of annual publications increased yearly. These publications came from 31 countries or regions, of which China and the United States made the greatest contributions. In total, 333 authors from 258 institutions participated in this field, and Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and Professor Fanrong Liang were the most published institution and author, respectively. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine published the largest number of articles, and CIRCULATION was the most commonly cited journal. Based on co-occurrences and cluster analysis of 257 keywords, three research frontiers and hotspots were identified: acupuncture for blood pressure regulation, acupuncture for coronary heart disease, and acupuncture for regulation of heart rate. In these three research frontiers, the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) are the most popular mechanisms.

Conclusion

A stable development trend has formed in this field. Further research should focus on the role of acupuncture therapies in the treatment of hypertension or hypertensive heart disease, coronary heart disease, and arrhythmia based on the mechanisms related to the RVLM and ANS.
Electrocardiographic changes associated with SGLT2 inhibitors and non-SGLT2 inhibitors: A multi-center retrospective study
Authors: Wu Victor Chien-Chia , Chiu Kai-Pin , Wang Chun-Li , Hsu Chiu-Yi , Tu Hui-Tzu , Huang Yu-Tung , Chang Chih-Hsiang , Huang Chien-Hao , Kuo Chang-Fu , Chen Shao-Wei , Chu Pao-Hsien , Chang Shang-Hung
Published: September 2022

Background

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors has been shown with cardiovascular benefit in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. However, its osmotic diuresis still concern physicians who may look for possible electrolyte imbalance. We therefore aimed to investigate electrocardiographic (ECG) changes associated with SGLT2 inhibitors.

Methods

Electronic medical records from Chang Gung Research Database between January 1, 2001 and January 31, 2019 were searched for patients with ECG reports and patients on an oral hypoglycemic agent (OHA). We then separate these T2DM patients with EKG into those taking either SGLT2 inhibitors or non-SGLT2 inhibitors. We excluded patients with OHA use <28 days, age <18 years, baseline ECG QTc > 500 ms, and ECG showing atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed between groups by age, sex, comorbidities, and medications (including QT prolonging medications). Conditional logistic regression and Firth's logistic regression for rare events were employed to compare the difference between SGLT2 and non-SGLT2 inhibitor patients.

Results

After exclusion criteria and PSM, there remained 1,056 patients with ECG on SGLT2 inhibitors and 2,119 patients with ECG on non-SGLT2 inhibitors in the study. There were no differences in PR intervals, QT prolongations by Bazett's or Fridericia's formulas, new onset ST-T changes, new onset CRBBB or CLBBB, and ventricular arrhythmia between the group of patients on SGLT2 inhibitors and the group of patients on non-SGLT2 inhibitors. There were no differences between the two groups in terms of cardiovascular death and sudden cardiac death. In addition, there were no differences between the two groups in terms of electrolytes.

Conclusions

Compared with T2DM patients on non-SGLT2 inhibitors, there were no differences in PR interval, QT interval, ST-T changes, bundle-branch block, or ventricular arrhythmia in the patients on SGLT2 inhibitors. There were no differences in cardiovascular mortality between these two groups. In addition, there were no electrolyte differences between groups. SGLT2 inhibitors appeared to be well-tolerated in terms of cardiovascular safety.
Effect of sacubitril/valsartan on the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias and the risk of sudden cardiac death in heart failure: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Liu Xue-Hui , Wang Guan-Ling , Xu Qiang , Zhang Lei , Liu Hong-Jun
Published: September 2022

Background

Sacubitril/valsartan therapy reduced the risks of death and of hospitalization for heart failure (HF). HF and cardiac arrhythmias have shared physiological mechanisems. Therefore, sacubitril/valsartan may exhibit anti-arrhythmic properties in HF. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of sacubitril/valsartan on the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias and the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in HF.

Methods

This meta-analysis was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. We searched PubMed and Embase (from inception up to 6 February 2022) to identify randomized control trials (RCTs) on the effect of sacubitril/valsartan on the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias and the risk of SCD in HF. Primary outcomes were the occurrence of atrial arrhythmias, ventricular arrhythmias, and SCD. Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using a random-effects model for meta-analysis.

Results

We included 9 RCTs (published between 2012 and 2021) with 18,500 patients (9,244 sacubitril/valsartan vs. 9,256 active control). Enalapril and valsartan were used as active control in six and two studies, respectively. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 35 months. The cumulative occurrence of events was 76, 13, and 48 per 1,000 patient-years for atrial arrhythmias, ventricular arrhythmias and SCD, respectively. There was no significant association between sacubitril/valsartan therapy and the occurrence of atrial arrhythmias (RR 1.06; 95% CI: 0.97–1.17; P = 0.19) and ventricular arrhythmias (RR 0.86; 95% CI 0.68–1.10; P = 0.24). However, sacubitril/valsartan therapy significantly reduced the risk of SCD (RR 0.79; 95% CI 0.70–0.90; P = 0.03) compared with control.

Conclusion

No association between sacubitril/valsartan therapy and the occurrence of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias was found, but sacubitril/valsartan therapy significantly reduced the risk of SCD.
Role of endothelial CXCR4 in the development of aortic valve stenosis
Authors: Winnicki Anna , Gadd James , Ohanyan Vahagn , Hernandez Gilbert , Wang Yang , Enrick Molly , McKillen Hannah , Kiedrowski Matthew , Kundu Dipan , Kegecik Karlina , Penn Marc , Chilian William M. , Yin Liya , Dong Feng
Published: September 2022

Background

CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling is essential in cardiac development and repair, however, its contribution to aortic valve stenosis (AVS) remains unclear. In this study, we tested the role of endothelial CXCR4 on the development of AVS.

Materials and methods

We generated CXCR4 endothelial cell-specific knockout mice (EC CXCR4 KO) by crossing CXCR4fl/fl mice with Tie2-Cre mice to study the role of endothelial cell CXCR4 in AVS. CXCR4fl/fl mice were used as controls. Echocardiography was used to assess the aortic valve and cardiac function. Heart samples containing the aortic valve were stained using Alizarin Red for detection of calcification. Masson’s trichrome staining was used for the detection of fibrosis. The apex of the heart samples was stained with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) to visualize ventricular hypertrophy.

Results

Compared with the control group, the deletion of CXCR4 in endothelial cells led to significantly increased aortic valve peak velocity and aortic valve peak pressure gradient, with decreased aortic valve area and ejection fraction. EC CXCR4 KO mice also developed cardiac hypertrophy as evidenced by increased diastolic and systolic left ventricle posterior wall thickness (LVPW), cardiac myocyte size, and heart weight (HW) to body weight (BW) ratio. Our data also confirmed increased microcalcifications, interstitial fibrosis, and thickened valvular leaflets of the EC CXCR4 KO mice.

Conclusion

The data collected throughout this study suggest the deletion of CXCR4 in endothelial cells is linked to the development of aortic valve stenosis and left ventricular hypertrophy. The statistically significant parameters measured indicate that endothelial cell CXCR4 plays an important role in aortic valve development and function. We have compiled compelling evidence that EC CXCR4 KO mice can be used as a novel model for AVS.
Left atrial appendage flow velocity predicts recurrence of atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Pengfei , Shi Yujiao , Ju Jianqing , Pan Deng , Miao Lina , Guo Xiaolin , Chen Zhuhong , Du Jianpeng
Published: September 2022

Purpose

There is increasing evidence that left atrial appendage flow velocity (LAAFV) is linked to the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after catheter ablation (CA), suggesting the potential predictable significance of LAAFV in this setting. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess whether LAAFV is association with AF recurrence after CA.

Methods

Up to May 1, 2022, six databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and CINAHL) were searched for literature reporting the association between LAAFV and AF recurrence after CA. All statistical analyses were carried out using STATA version 16 software. Heterogeneity was determined by the Cochrane’s Q test and I2 statistics. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the methodological quality of each included study, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) method was adopted to evaluate the quality of evidence.

Result

Sixteen studies with 5,006 AF patients after CA (1,479 patients with AF recurrence, 3,527 without AF recurrence) were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis of 15 studies (16 data sets) showed that patients with recurrence exhibited lower LAAFV values than those without recurrence [standardized mean difference (SMD): −0.65, 95% CI: −0.88 to −0.42, P < 0.01]. Moreover, we evaluated the association of LAAFV and the risk of AF recurrence after CA. Nine studies (11 data sets) defined LAAFV as continuous variables, and the pooled analysis suggested that for every 1 cm/s rise in LAAFV values, the risk of AF recurrence after CA decreased by 3% [Odds Ratio (OR): 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95 to 0.99, P < 0.01]. Seven studies defined LAAFV as categorical variables, and the pooled analysis showed that lower LAAFV were associated with an increased risk of AF recurrence after CA [OR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.46 to 3.57, P < 0.01]. The subgroup analyses showed that the association between LAAFV and AF recurrence after CA was not significantly affected by the AF type and ablation procedure. The NOS indicated that included studies were moderate to high quality, while the GRADE assessment suggested a low certainty of the evidence.

Conclusion

Lower LAAFV may be associated with an increased risk of AF recurrence after CA. Further studies with well designed and randomized studies for LAAFV should be conducted.

Systematic review registration

[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/], identifier [CRD42022333627].
The diagnostic value of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α in identifying different chronic heart failure phenotypes
Authors: Zhang Shiwen , Zhou Yufei , Ma Yanfang , Li Zhan , Hou Yinglong
Published: September 2022

Background

Despite advances in diagnosing and treating chronic heart failure (HF), the underlying mechanisms in different HF phenotypes remain unclear. Mitochondrial energy metabolism is crucial in HF etiology. Our study aimed to explore the value of metabolic-associated biomarker peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC1α) in identifying different HF phenotypes.

Methods

A total of 172 participants were enrolled in the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University and were subsequently divided into four groups based on the European Society of Cardiology HF management guideline: the non-HF control (Control, N = 46), heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, N = 54), heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF, N = 22), and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF, N = 50) groups. Each participant’s baseline data were recorded, blood samples were taken, and echocardiography was conducted. The level of PGC1α expression was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The receiver operative characteristics (ROC) curve was further established in the four groups to assess the diagnostic value for overall HF and each HF phenotype with the calculation of the area under the curve (AUC) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

PGC1α expression was significantly increased in HF patients (315.0 ± 69.58 nmol/L) compared to non-HF participants (233.3 ± 32.69 nmol/L). Considering different HF phenotypes, PGC1α expression was considerably higher in the HFmrEF group (401.6 ± 45.1 nmol/L)than in the other two phenotypes (299.5 ± 62.27 nmol/L for HFrEF and 293.5 ± 56.37 nmol/L for HFpEF, respectively).Furthermore, the AUCs of PGC1α in overall HF and each HF phenotype were all over 0.8, showing the ideal diagnostic value. Additionally, we provided the cut-off criteria for clinical use, which needs further validation. There was no significant correlation between PGC1α and N-terminal (NT)-prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)/blood glucose, suggesting that PGC1α might exert a unique function in HF yet in a different pattern.

Conclusion

We discovered that PGC1α could be used as a potential biomarker for differentiating HF patients from those without HF and for distinguishing HFmrEF from HFrEF and HFpEF.
COVID-19 is associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease death: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Miao Jia-peng , Gu Xiao-yu , Shi Rui-zheng
Published: September 2022

Objective

This study aimed to estimate the causal effects of Coronavirus disease 2019 susceptibility and hospitalization on cardiovascular disease death using two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis.

Methods

We used statistics from a genome-wide association study. A total of 2,568,698 participants were assessed in this study, including 1,299,010 in Coronavirus disease 2019 susceptibility databases, 908,494 in Coronavirus disease 2019 hospitalization database, and 361,194 in a cardiovascular disease death database. We performed two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis using the inverse variance weighted method. As sensitivity analysis techniques, Mendelian randomization-Egger regression, heterogeneity analyses, and Leave-one-out analysis were employed. Reverse Mendelian randomization analysis was used to detect reverse causality. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05.

Results

Coronavirus disease 2019 susceptibility may be a causal factor for cardiovascular disease death (β = 2.188 × 10–3, P = 0.002), which involves five common single nucleotide polymorphisms. Similarly, Coronavirus disease 2019 hospitalization may also be a causal factor for cardiovascular disease death (β = 8.626 × 10–4, P = 0.010), which involves nine common single nucleotide polymorphisms. Furthermore, sensitivity and reverse Mendelian randomization analysis suggested that no heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy or reverse causality was found between Coronavirus disease 2019 and cardiovascular disease death.

Conclusion

Our bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis showed a causal relationship between Coronavirus disease 2019 susceptibility and hospitalization associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease death.
Psychometric properties and validation of the revised Chinese Medication Literacy Scale for Hypertensive Patients (C-MLSHP-R)
Authors: Qin Ning , Duan Yinglong , Yao Ziqiang , Shi Shuangjiao , Liu Haoqi , Li Xiao , Zheng Feng , Zhong Zhuqing
Published: September 2022

Background

Medication literacy is one of the key indicators that can affect the self-management of medications and medication safety. This study aimed to revise the Chinese Medication Literacy Scale for hypertensive patients (C-MLSHP) and test the reliability and validity of the revised scale.

Methods

We revised the C-MLSHP by several methods, i.e., focus group discussion, expert consultation, patient interview, and pilot study, based on the established evaluation index system of medication literacy for hypertensive patients. Then, a formal survey using the revised Chinese Medication Literacy Scale for hypertensive patients (C-MLSHP-R) was carried out on hypertensive patients from hospitals and community healthcare centers in Changsha city of China to test its reliability and validity. The reliability was evaluated with Cronbach's α coefficient, split-half reliability, and test–retest reliability. The validity was evaluated with content validity, construct validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and criterion-related validity.

Results

The C-MLSHP-R contained 18 items within four domains, i.e., the knowledge domain included four items, the attitude domain had three items, the skill domain involved seven items, and the practice domain included four items. A total of 339 hypertensive patients participated in the formal survey. The results showed that the Cronbach's α coefficient of C-MLSHP-R was 0.802, and for each domain ranged from 0.639 to 0.815. The split-half reliability coefficient of C-MLSHP-R was 0.709, and for each domain ranged from 0.648 to 0.792. The test–retest reliability coefficient of C-MLSHP-R was 0.851, and for each domain ranged from 0.655 to 0.857. The I-CVI of each item ranged from 0.833 to 1.000, the S-CVI/Ave of C-MLSHP-R was 0.981, the S-CVI/UA was 0.889, and for each domain ranged from 0.958 to 1.000. Confirmatory factor analysis results showed that the model fitted well. The convergent validity of C-MLSHP-R was acceptable, and the discriminant validity was good. The criterion coefficient between C-MLSHP-R and C-MLSHP was 0.797, and for each domain ranged from 0.609 to 0.755.

Conclusion

Compared with C-MLSHP, the C-MLSHP-R with 18 items was much shorter for measuring, and had decreased reliability within the acceptable range and better validity, which was more appropriate and time-saving to assess the medication literacy level for hypertensive patients scientifically and conveniently.
Percutaneous endovascular arteriovenous fistula: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sun Ji-Bo , Liu Chun-Cheng , Shen Xi , Chen Qin , Xu Cheng-Liang , Cui Tian-Lei
Published: September 2022

Objective

Currently, percutaneous endovascular creation of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) shows excellent outcomes. However, few systematic research evidence to support clinical decision making on the benefit of endovascular AVF is available. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endovascular AVF (endoAVF) in patients with renal failure.

Methods

We searched the Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases for studies on endovascular or endovascular versus surgery for the creation of AVF. Two reviewers independently selected studies and extracted data. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed by Review Manager 5.4 software (Revman, The Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, United Kingdom) and Stata 15.0 (Stata Corp, College Station, TX, United States).

Results

A total of 14 case series and 5 cohort studies, with 1,929 patients, were included in this study. The technique success was 98.00% for endoAVF (95% CI, 0.97–0.99; I2 = 16.25%). There was no statistically significant difference in 3 cohort studies between endovascular and surgical AVF for procedural success (OR = 0.69; 95% CI, 0.04–11.98; P = 0.80; I2 = 53%). The maturation rates of endoAVF were 87.00% (95% CI, 0.79–0.93; I2 = 83.96%), and no significant difference was observed in 3 cohort studies between the 2 groups (OR = 0.73; 95% CI, 0.20–2.63; P = 0.63; I2 = 88%). Procedure-related complications for endoAVF was 7% (95% CI, 0.04–0.17; I2 = 78.31%), and it did not show significant difference in 4 cohort studies between the 2 groups (OR = 1.85; 95% CI, 0.37–9.16; P = 0.45; I2 = 59%).

Conclusion

The endovascular creation of AVF is potentially effective and safe. These important data may provide evidence to support clinicians and patients in making decisions with endovascular AVF. But further research is great necessary due to lack of randomized controlled studies.
Assessment of three types of surgical procedures for supravalvar aortic stenosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lv Lizhi , Lang Xinyue , Zhang Simeng , Wang Cheng , Wang Qiang
Published: September 2022

Importance

The safety and efficacy of different surgical repairs of supravalvar aortic stenosis (SVAS) are inconsistent.

Objective

To compare the prognosis of single-, two- and three-patch repair for patients with SVAS.

Data sources

PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and clinicaltrials.gov were searched until April 17, 2022.

Study selection

Study reported SVAS patients treated with single-, two- or three-patch repair.

Data extraction and synthesis

Two reviewers independently extracted the data of study characteristics and clinical outcomes. Multiple pairwise and frequentist network meta-analyses were conducted. And a fixed-effect model was used when no heterogeneity existed.

Main outcomes and measures

Outcomes included the rate of reintervention, aortic insufficiency, early mortality and late mortality, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, cross-clamping (CCP) time, and postoperative/ follow-up pressure gradient. Binary variables were evaluated by odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI), while continuous variables were assessed by standardized mean difference (SMD) and its 95% CI.

Results

Twenty-seven retrospective cohort studies were included, comprising 1,162 patients, undergoing single-patch (46.6% of cases), two-patch (33.9%), and three-patch repair (19.4%). Two-patch method had a lower rate of reintervention compared with single-patch (OR = 0.47, 95 % CI 0.28–0.89), and three-patch (OR = 0.31, 95 % CI 0.15–0.64). This finding also applied to juvenile and non-Asian patients. Three-patch method had a lower rate of aortic insufficiency compared with single-patch (OR = 0.11, 95 % CI 0.01–0.63), and two-patch (OR = 0.11, 95 % CI 0.02–0.83). But this repair had the longest CCP time, which was significantly longer than that of single- (SMD = 0.76, 95 % CI 0.36–1.17) or two-patch repair (SMD = 0.61, 95 % CI 0.06–1.16). No significant difference was found in mortality and pressure gradient among three procedures.

Conclusion and relevance

Two-patch repair has the lowest reintervention rate and relatively reasonable operation time. Complex and severe SVAS is suggested to be treated with two-patch repair. Further prospective studies of a reasonable sample size will be required with a special focus on the use of different patch materials and surgeons' unique working experience.

Systematic review registration

http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier: CRD42022328146.
Multimorbidity, polypharmacy and inappropriate prescribing in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation: A report from the China Atrial Fibrillation Registry Study
Authors: Guo Xueyuan , Li Mengmeng , Du Xin , Jiang Chenxi , Li Songnan , Tang Ribo , Sang Caihua , Yu Ronghui , Long Deyong , Dong Jianzeng , Ma Changsheng
Published: September 2022

Background

Multimorbidity, polypharmacy and inappropriate prescribing is common in elderly patients worldwide. We aimed to explore the current status of multimorbidity, polypharmacy and the appropriateness of pharmacological therapy among elderly patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in China.

Materials and methods

We randomly selected 500 patients aged 65 years or older from the China AF Registry study. Multimorbidity was defined as ≥2 comorbidities and polypharmacy was defined as ≥5 long-term prescribed drugs. Appropriateness of prescribing was evaluated using the Screening Tool of Older People’s Prescriptions/Screening Tool to Alert to Right Treatment (STOPP/START) criteria version 2. Patients’ attitudes toward polypharmacy were evaluated by the Patients’ Attitudes Towards Deprescribing (PATD) questionnaire.

Results

Among the 500 patients included (mean age 75.2 ± 6.7 years, 49.0% male), 98.0% had multimorbidity and 49.4% had polypharmacy. The prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and potential prescribing omissions (PPOs) was 43.6% (n = 218) and 71.6% (n = 358), respectively. Traditional Chinese medicine attributed largely to PIMs. Anticoagulants were the most common PPOs. Many clinical factors increased the risk of PIMs and PPOs. However, polypharmacy increased the risk of PIMs (OR 2.70, 95%CI 1.78–4.11; p < 0.0001), but not PPOs. In addition, 73.7% patients with polypharmacy were willing to have one or more of their medications prescribed if advised by their doctor.

Conclusion

Multimorbidity and polypharmacy were highly prevalent in elderly patients with AF in China. A high prevalence of inappropriate prescribing was also observed. Therefore, much more attention should be paid to the serious health problem in the elderly population.
Hepatic factor may not originate from hepatocytes
Authors: Merbach Monica , Ramchandran Ramani , Spearman Andrew D.
Published: September 2022

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) develop universally in patients with univentricular congenital heart disease. They are believed to form due to lack of an unidentified factor from hepatocytes that perfuses the lungs to maintain vascular homeostasis and prevent PAVM formation. This unidentified factor is termed hepatic factor; however, the identity, mechanism, and origin of hepatic factor are unknown. Several hepatic factor candidates have been previously proposed, but few data are available to support previous hypotheses. Recent data showed that soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (sVEGFR1) is enriched in hepatic vein blood and may be a potential hepatic factor candidate. We used imaging and molecular approaches with wild-type mice to determine whether sVEGFR1 originates from hepatocytes in the liver. To our surprise, we identified that sVEGFR1 is negligibly expressed by hepatocytes but is robustly expressed by the non-parenchymal cell population of the liver. This suggests that hepatic factor may not originate from hepatocytes and alternative hypotheses should be considered. We believe it is necessary to consider hepatic factor candidates more broadly to finally identify hepatic factor and develop targeted therapies for CHD-associated PAVMs.
Cerium anomaly as a tracer for paleo-oceanic redox conditions: A thermodynamics-based Ce oxidation modeling approach
Authors: Cao Cheng , Liu Xiao-Ming , Chen Jun
Published: September 2022

Reconstructing redox conditions in the paleo-ocean is essential to understand the Earth’s biogeochemical evolution. Cerium (Ce) anomaly in marine sediments has been used to distinguish oxic versus anoxic depositional environments in the Paleo-ocean. Previous studies suggested that dissolved oxygen is indispensable to cerium oxidation. Therefore, this reaction can be thermodynamically modeled to quantify oxygen contents in the ocean. This study presents a series of thermodynamics-based models to relate Ce anomaly to dissolved oxygen level. We then evaluated these models in two representatively settings, including an oxic ocean and anoxic basin. Finally, we examined the modeled relationship on a compiled dataset of cerium anomaly and dissolved oceanic oxygen content. These models suggest that the cerium anomaly is quantitatively related to oceanic oxygen, pH, and phosphate concentration. Notably, the results suggest that cerium anomaly is not sensitive to changes in dissolved oxygen in oxic environments. By contrast, Ce anomaly is well correlated with dissolved oxygen in anoxic environments, and it was less affected by pH and phosphate concentration. This research has significant implications for using lanthanide patterns in ancient marine carbonates to quantify dissolved oxygen level, especially during anoxic events in the Paleo-ocean.
Resource-based cities: Spatial structure and evolutionary identification based on nighttime light images
Authors: Lu Shuo , Zhang Wenzhong , Li Jiaming , Wang Shaohua
Published: September 2022

Dividing the development stage and grasping the best time to transition are significant for resource-based cities (RBCs). However, there is still a lack of research on how to judge the developmental stage of RBCs through objective indicators of urban development. Identifying the developmental stage of RBCs relies heavily on the researcher’s subjective judgment. Based on nighttime light data, this study utilizes the urban center primacy ratio as a unique indication of the growth stage of RBCs. This method is more detailed and objective than studies that define stages of development based on socio-economic indicators. It provides a fresh viewpoint on the stages of urban life cycle development. Based on the mining economy’s development cycle, the proportion of mining employees at 3.9% and 44.9% can be used to divide RBCs into growth, maturity, recession, and regeneration periods, with 3.9% serving as the dividing line between RBCs and non-RBCs. In addition, when an RBC reaches maturity, a particular range of the urban center primacy ratio has a positive correlation with the GDP growth rate and is negatively correlated outside of that range. This indicates that this period is crucial for the shift from agglomeration diseconomy to agglomeration economy. The government and social institutions can use this period to drive the economic transformation of RBCs through various policies and actions.
Analysis on the ecological impact of the Xiaolangdi Reservoir on the Yellow River Delta wetland and coastal areas
Authors: Shang Wenxiu , Yan Dengming , Peng Shaoming , Wang Yu , Ge Lei , Shang Yi
Published: September 2022

An environmental water supplement through reservoir regulation is an important way to restore the deltaic coastal wetland. In order to quantify the impact of the reservoir on the deltaic coastal wetland ecosystem, this article proposes a quantitative analysis method for the ecological impact and contribution rate of the reservoir, which compares the ecological status in two scenarios with the presence or absence of the reservoir during the assessment period, and reveals the reservoir’s impact on and contribution rate to the ecological status and environmental water supplement conditions. The results show that during 2000–2019, through the regulation of the Xiaolangdi Reservoir, the average annual drying up days at the Lijin section reduced by 81.15 days, the average annual assurance rate of ecological base flow at the Lijin section increased by 20.60%, and the volume of water flowing into the sea from April to June increased by 2.37 billion m³. During 2008–2015, the Xiaolangdi Reservoir increased the environmental water supplement of the Yellow River Delta by 19.95 million m³. Compared with the flow and water withdrawal during 1980–1999, the natural flow of the Yellow River decreased by 10.59% and the measured flow in the lower reaches decreased by 22.15%, and the water withdrawal in the lower reaches increased by 0.32 billion m³ during 2000–2019, which is detrimental to provide environmental water to the Yellow River Delta wetland and coastal areas. The Xiaolangdi Reservoir reversed the adverse effects of flow and water withdrawal and ensured the continuous ecological improvement in the Yellow River Delta and coastal areas, providing the respective contribution rate of 187.85%, 137.24%, and 125.83% to the prevention of drying up at the Lijin section, the increase in the assurance rate of ecological base flow at the Lijin section, and the increase in the volume of water flowing into the sea in the critical period.
High temperature susceptibility measurements: A potential tool for the identification of oil-water transition zone in petroleum reservoirs
Authors: Abdulkarim Maryam A. , Muxworthy Adrian R. , Fraser Alastair
Published: September 2022

Determining the position and thickness of the oil-water transition zone (OWTZ) in hydrocarbon reservoirs is important to reserve estimation and production planning. This paper describes a magnetic method of identifying this zone. High temperature susceptibility (HT-χ) measurements on core samples from Paleogene reservoirs of the UK Central North Sea revealed distinct signatures around the oil water interface. Rapid increases in susceptibilities at temperatures <250°C were observed for samples around the oil water interface unlike the main oil leg where alteration involving increase in susceptibility occurred at significantly slower rates and higher temperatures. The HT-χ data together with Mössbauer measurements revealed that the variation in alteration characteristics is due to the increasing concentration of hexagonal pyrrhotite and/or lepidocrocite around the oil water interface. Hexagonal pyrrhotite was identified in reservoirs existing at temperatures of <80°C, while lepidocrocite dominated the signature around the contact of deeper reservoirs. These observations suggest that the precipitation of hexagonal pyrrhotite is related to OWTZ centred biogenic activities i.e., biodegradation. The dominance of lepidocrocite in deeper diagenetic settings has been related to hydrolysis of hydrocarbon at the oil water interface, together with cessation of biogenic activities.
Effects of oral contraceptives on spatial cognition depend on pharmacological properties and phase of the contraceptive cycle
Authors: Hampson Elizabeth , Morley Erin E. , Evans Kelly L. , Fleury Cathleen
Published: September 2022

The central nervous system effects of oral contraceptives (OCs) are not well-documented. In a set of 3 studies, we investigated a specific cognitive function, mental rotation, in healthy women currently using OCs for contraceptive purposes (n = 201) and in medication-free controls not using OCs (n = 44). Mental rotation was measured using a well-standardized and extensively validated psychometric test, the Vandenberg Mental Rotations Test (MRT). In an initial study (Study 1), current OC users (n = 63) were tested during the active or inactive phases of the contraceptive cycle in a parallel-groups design. Studies 2 and 3 were based on an archival dataset (n = 201 current OC users) that consisted of data on the MRT collected in real-time over a 30-year period and compiled for purposes of the present work. The OCs were combined formulations containing ethinyl estradiol (10-35 ug/day) plus a synthetic progestin. All 4 families of synthetic progestins historically used in OCs were represented in the dataset. Cognitive performance was evaluated during either active OC use (‘active phase’) or during the washout week of the contraceptive cycle (‘inactive phase’) when OC steroids are not used. The results showed a significant phase-of-cycle (POC) effect. Accuracy on the MRT was mildly diminished during the active phase of OC use, while scores on verbal fluency and speeded motor tasks were modestly improved. The POC effect was most evident in women using OCs that contained first- or second-generation progestins (the estrane family of progestins or OCs containing levonorgestrel), but not in women using OCs containing recently developed progestins and lower doses of ethinyl estradiol. Using independently established ratings of the estrogenic, androgenic, and progestogenic intensities of the different OC formulations, each brand of OC was classified according to its distinct endocrine profile. Multiple regression revealed that the effects of OC use on the MRT could be predicted based on the estrogenic strength of the contraceptives used. Estrogenic potency, not androgenic or anti-androgenic effects of the OC pill, may underlie the effects of OC usage on spatial cognition.
Diagnostic criteria of small sellar lesions with hyperprolactinemia: Prolactinoma or else
Authors: Cho Anna , Vila Greisa , Marik Wolfgang , Klotz Sigrid , Wolfsberger Stefan , Micko Alexander
Published: September 2022

Objective

To evaluate the combined predictive value of MRI criteria with the prolactin-volume-ratio (PVR) to differentiate prolactinoma from non-prolactinoma, in small sellar lesions with hyperprolactinemia.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 55 patients with sellar lesions of ≤15 mm diameter on MRI and hyperprolactinemia of ≤150 ng/mL, surgically treated between 2003 and 2020 at the Medical University of Vienna, with a conclusive histopathological report. Serum prolactin levels, extent of pituitary stalk deviation, size and volume of the lesion were assessed. The PVR was calculated by dividing the preoperative prolactin level by tumor volume.

Results

Our study population consisted of 39 patients (71%) with a prolactin-producing pituitary adenoma (group A), while 16 patients (29%) had another type of sellar lesion (group B). Patients in group A were significantly younger (p=0.012), had significantly higher prolactin levels at diagnosis (p<0.001) as well as smaller tumor volume (p=0.036) and lower degree of pituitary stalk deviation (p=0.009). The median PVR was significantly higher in group A (243 ng/mL per cm3) than in group B (83 ng/mL per cm3; p=0.002). Furthermore, the regression operating characteristics analysis revealed a PVR >100 ng/mL per cm3 to be predictive for distinguishing prolactin-producing lesions from other small sellar lesions.

Conclusion

In patients with small sellar lesions, Prolactin-Volume-Ratios >100 represents a possible predictive marker for the diagnosis of prolactin-producing pituitary adenomas.
Morbid liver manifestations are intrinsically bound to metabolic syndrome and nutrient intake based on a machine-learning cluster analysis
Authors: Micó Víctor , San-Cristobal Rodrigo , Martín Roberto , Martínez-González Miguel Ángel , Salas-Salvadó Jordi , Corella Dolores , Fitó Montserrat , Alonso-Gómez Ángel M. , Wärnberg Julia , Vioque Jesús , Romaguera Dora , López-Miranda José , Estruch Ramon , Tinahones Francisco J. , Lapetra José , Serra-Majem J. Luís , Bueno-Cavanillas Aurora , Tur Josep A. , Martín Sánchez Vicente , Pintó Xavier , Delgado-Rodríguez Miguel , Matía-Martín Pilar , Vidal Josep , Vázquez Clotilde , García-Arellano Ana , Pertusa-Martinez Salvador , Chaplin Alice , Garcia-Rios Antonio , Muñoz Bravo Carlos , Schröder Helmut , Babio Nancy , Sorli Jose V. , Gonzalez Jose I. , Martinez-Urbistondo Diego , Toledo Estefania , Bullón Vanessa , Ruiz-Canela Miguel , Portillo María Puy- , Macías-González Manuel , Perez-Diaz-del-Campo Nuria , García-Gavilán Jesús , Daimiel Lidia , Martínez J. Alfredo
Published: September 2022

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is one of the most important medical problems around the world. Identification of patient´s singular characteristic could help to reduce the clinical impact and facilitate individualized management. This study aimed to categorize MetS patients using phenotypical and clinical variables habitually collected during health check-ups of individuals considered to have high cardiovascular risk. The selected markers to categorize MetS participants included anthropometric variables as well as clinical data, biochemical parameters and prescribed pharmacological treatment. An exploratory factor analysis was carried out with a subsequent hierarchical cluster analysis using the z-scores from factor analysis. The first step identified three different factors. The first was determined by hypercholesterolemia and associated treatments, the second factor exhibited glycemic disorders and accompanying treatments and the third factor was characterized by hepatic enzymes. Subsequently four clusters of patients were identified, where cluster 1 was characterized by glucose disorders and treatments, cluster 2 presented mild MetS, cluster 3 presented exacerbated levels of hepatic enzymes and cluster 4 highlighted cholesterol and its associated treatments Interestingly, the liver status related cluster was characterized by higher protein consumption and cluster 4 with low polyunsaturated fatty acid intake. This research emphasized the potential clinical relevance of hepatic impairments in addition to MetS traditional characterization for precision and personalized management of MetS patients.
Importins involved in the nuclear transportation of steroid hormone receptors: In silico and in vitro data
Authors: Kalyvianaki Konstantina , Panagiotopoulos Athanasios A. , Patentalaki Maria , Castanas Elias , Kampa Marilena
Published: September 2022

The nuclear receptor superfamily (NRS) consists of 48 receptors for lipophilic substances and is divided into 7 different subfamilies, with subfamily 3 comprising steroid hormone receptors. Several nuclear receptors usually bind their cognate ligands in the cytosol and the complex (mono- or dimerized) is transported to the nucleus, where it acts as a transcription initiating factor for a number of genes. The general structure of nuclear receptors consists of an N-terminal activating domain (A/B), important for the binding of activating or inhibitory co-factors, the DNA-binding domain (C), responsible for the association of the receptor-ligand-co-factor complex to the nucleus, the ligand-AF2 domain (E/F), where ligand binding occurs as well as that of ligand-dependent activating/inhibiting factors, and a flexible/non-structured domain (D), linking the DBD and LBD, called hinge region, on which a significant number of post-translational modifications occur. This hinge domain, for the sub-class of steroid receptors, is a non-structured domain and was reported as mainly responsible for the nuclear transport of steroid receptors, since it contains a specific amino acid sequence (Nuclear Localization Signal-NLS), recognized by importin α. In addition to the importin α/β complex, a number of other importins have been discovered and reported to be responsible for the nuclear transport of a number of significant proteins; however, the corresponding recognition sequences for these importins have not been identified. Recently, we have reported the identification of the NLS sequences for importins 4, 5 and 7. In this work, we providein silicodata, followed by experimentalin vitrovalidation, showing that these alternative importins are responsible for the nuclear transportation of steroid hormone receptors such as ERα, AR and PR, and therefore they may consist of alternative targets for the pharmacological manipulation of steroid hormone actions. Moreover, we provide additionalinsilico data for the hinge region of steroid hormone receptors which is highly enriched with NLS sequences for importins 4, 5 and 7, in addition to the recognition NLS for importin α/β.
Non-coding RNAs in diabetes mellitus and diabetic cardiovascular disease
Authors: Li Chengshun , Wang Dongxu , Jiang Ziping , Gao Yongjian , Sun Liqun , Li Rong , Chen Minqi , Lin Chao , Liu Dianfeng
Published: September 2022

More than 10% of the world’s population already suffers from varying degrees of diabetes mellitus (DM), but there is still no cure for the disease. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the most common and dangerous of the many health complications that can be brought on by DM, and has become the leading cause of death in people with diabetes. While research on DM and associated CVD is advancing, the specific mechanisms of their development are still unclear. Given the threat of DM and CVD to humans, the search for new predictive markers and therapeutic ideas is imminent. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been a popular subject of research in recent years. Although they do not encode proteins, they play an important role in living organisms, and they can cause disease when their expression is abnormal. Numerous studies have observed aberrant ncRNAs in patients with DM complications, suggesting that they may play an important role in the development of DM and CVD and could potentially act as biomarkers for diagnosis. There is additional evidence that treatment with existing drugs for DM, such as metformin, alters ncRNA expression levels, suggesting that regulation of ncRNA expression may be a key mechanism in future DM treatment. In this review, we assess the role of ncRNAs in the development of DM and CVD, as well as the evidence for ncRNAs as potential therapeutic targets, and make use of bioinformatics to analyze differential ncRNAs with potential functions in DM.
A novel forward operator-based Bayesian recurrent neural network-based short-term net load demand forecasting considering demand-side renewable energy
Authors: Wen Jiying , Xian Zhongye , Chen Kai , Luo Wei
Published: September 2022

Currently, traditional electricity consumers are now shifting to a new role of prosumers since more integration of renewable energy to demand side. Accurate short-term load demand forecasting is significant to safe, stable, and reliable operation of a renewable energy-dominated power system. In this paper, a short-term load forecasting model based on a bidirectional long short-term memory network (Bi-LSTM) using kernel transfer operator is proposed to achieve short-term load demand forecasting. To consider the influence of seasonality, holiday effects and weather on load demand forecasting, and simultaneously to improve the accuracy and performance of the forecasting model, this paper implements the dimensionality reduction of the input data by introducing an improved kernel transfer operator based on the Perron-Frobenius method. On this basis, a Bayesian Bi-LSTM for short-term load demand forecasting is formulated to obtain the probability prediction interval of load demand. To verify the validity of the proposed method, the actual historical load demand in a certain region in China was used for model training and verification. The forecasting results are compared with several conventional load demand methods using probability prediction technics. Simulation analysis shows that the proposed method can effectively reflect the short-term uncertainty of load demand, and is superior to the conventional methods in terms of forecasting accuracy and computational performance.
Pore characteristics and fractal characterization variability of typical middle- and high-rank coal reserves: A case study of middle- and high-rank coal samples in western Guizhou
Authors: Lou Yi , Su Yuliang , Gao Wei , Wang Wendong , Xiong Wei , Chen Jie , Xia Peng
Published: September 2022

This article focused on the study of pore structure characteristics of Songhe and Linhua coal samples based on mercury injection experiments and high-pressure isothermal adsorption experiments. The results show that the pore structure of coal samples in the two mining areas is obviously different under the influence of metamorphic degree. The pores of Songhe mine coal samples, which are characteristic of middle-rank coal reserves, are predominantly open cylindrical pores with good connectivity to medium-to-large pores but poor absorption capacity. The tiny and medium pores of Linhua coal samples, which are characteristic of high-level coal reserves, have poor connectivity, dominated by conical pores with mostly closed and semi-closed pores. The pore size distribution of the middle-rank coal sample is multi-peaked, with better developed pore sizes, while the pore size distribution of the Linhua coal sample is bi-peaked, with micro and small pores developed. The pore fractal shape of high-rank coal reserves is higher than that of middle-rank coal reserves, and the complexity of permeable pore space and diffusive pore space of high-order coal reservoirs is higher than that of middle-order coal reservoirs.