bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of Filifactor alocis on the severity of periodontitis among diabetic and non-diabetic patients: a narrative review
Authors: Manenzhe Shumani Charlotte , Koutras Sandra , Zwane Nompumelelo Benedicta , Masilana Aubrey Isaac , Shangase Sindisiwe Londiwe
Published: May 2024

The extensive studies on Filifactor alocis (Fa) show a positive association with periodontitis, demonstrating elevated Fa levels compared to traditional periodontal pathogens in severe disease. Periodontitis is a chronic multifactorial disease induced by a dysbiotic microbiota in a susceptible host whilst diabetes is an established risk factor for periodontitis. Diabetes has been shown to alter the subgingival microbiota into distinct microbial communities which favours the shift towards disease. It is these very distinct subgingival microbiota that are believed to contribute to the high prevalence and severity of periodontitis in diabetic patients. This dysbiotic microbiota constitute traditional periodontal pathogens which include among others the red complex triad (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia), Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, the orange complex (Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia etc.) and other emerging pathogens such as Fa that were previously unrecognised as role players in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. Fa is an asaccharolytic anaerobic gram-positive rod (AAGPR) currently considered to be one of the potential drivers of periodontitis progression and worsening through its unique virulence characteristics. Various mechanisms through which Fa contributes to the pathogenesis and severity of periodontitis have been reported. The mechanisms involved in the bidirectional relationship between periodontitis and diabetes are continuously being explored in order to enhance individualised preventative and management approaches in affected patients. This review aims to report on this emerging periodontal pathogen and its capacity to influence dysbiosis within a complex subgingival microbial community; including its potential role in the bidirectional relationship between diabetes and periodontitis. This review will highlight Fa as a potential prognostic indicator for disease worsening, which will help improve management protocols for periodontitis and diabetes.
Damage cause and mechanism of well-vegetated soil slopes under extreme rainfall: a case study
Authors: Chen Jingye , Gong Qinghua , Wang Jun , Yuan Shaoxiong
Published: May 2024

A substantial number of shallow landslides can still occur in areas with high vegetation cover under extreme rainfall. The cause and mechanism of this type of landslide remain unknown, and thus a case study is selected for study in this paper. The extreme rainfall from June 10–13, 2019, caused mass landslides throughout Mibei Village. Most landslides happened in well-vegetated areas, and some even transformed into debris flows. This paper presents detailed field investigations on 31 of them, the result of which were used to perform numerical simulations and ring shear tests. The objective of this study was to investigate the damage cause and mechanism of well-vegetated soil slopes under extreme rainfall. The results indicate that vegetation exerts a dual effect on slope stability. Within the rhizosphere zone, roots significantly enhance the soil shear strength, thereby reducing the likelihood of slope instability. Simultaneously, the rhizosphere zone exhibits enhanced permeability and acts as a relatively impermeable layer at the bottom, which makes the shallow layer of the slopes more easily saturated by rainfall infiltration. The slopes are prone to instability at the soil layer situated below the bottom of the rhizosphere zone, and mostly are translational slides with suddenness. The main triggering factor for the landslide is the presence of positive pore water pressure in the soil, which makes the matrix suction lost and the effective stress reduced. The slip zone soil exhibits negative dilatancy, while the saturated slip soil undergoes liquefaction, which can make landslides conversion into debris flows.
Advancing trauma informed practices in schools using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research
Authors: Mullin Alice C. , Sharkey Jill D. , Barnett Miya
Published: May 2024

As the world becomes more aware of the prevalence and consequences of trauma for young people, the education sector is increasingly responsible for supporting students emotionally and academically. School-based mental health supports for students who have experienced trauma are crucial, as schools are often the only access point for intervention for many children and families. Given that over two-thirds of children in the U.S. will experience a traumatic event by age 16, it is imperative to better understand the mechanisms of implementing mental health support in schools. Despite the increasing need for trauma-informed practices in schools (TIPS), schools often struggle to provide them due to a myriad of barriers. More research is needed to understand how to implement and sustain TIPS. Researchers have begun exploring these questions, but there is still a shortage of research about how to best implement TIPS. We argue that the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) is useful for organizing and advancing the implementation of TIPS. By consolidating findings from existing scholarship on TIPS, we identify themes and future directions within the CFIR framework. Based on our review, we also provide practical suggestions for schools seeking to implement TIPS.
Women in higher education: leadership, coordination, and bibliography
Authors: Hurtado-Reina Jone , Meza Paulina , Velasco Erlantz
Published: May 2024

This study examines the role of women in the academic and scientific domains, emphasizing the need for institutions to ensure women’s representation for an equitable system. We analyzed 794 syllabi from the Primary Education Degree within the Spanish University Network using a qualitative-comparative approach, focusing on women’s involvement in the management and coordination of courses and their representation in the associated bibliographic materials. The findings reveal a predominantly androcentric environment, where, despite women’s active participation in course leadership, their contributions to the bibliographic landscape are significantly limited. The research highlights the disparities in gender representation and underscores the necessity for measures to enhance women’s visibility in academic and scientific spaces.
Student perception of sustainability in industry: a case study in an undergraduate petroleum processing course
Authors: Chakraborty Sourojeet , Kalhori Sadafnaz Kashi , Gonzalez Yris , Mendoza Jorge , Galatro Daniela
Published: May 2024

Research demonstrates a predominantly negative public perception of the oil and gas (O&G) industry, regardless of initiatives created to minimize the environmental impact. This might be attributed to a lack of open communication and debate spaces where these initiatives are learned and discussed. To test our hypotheses within a university setting, a major revamp of the course “Petroleum Processing” in our university was implemented, where sustainability concepts and open discussion were assimilated into the lecture content. Pre- and post-surveys were conducted to assess students’ perceptions regarding sustainability in the O&G industry before and after the course. Perceptions remained unchanged following course delivery. However, students believe they are more informed about the sustainability approaches implemented.
Esophageal schwannoma mimicking non-functional parathyroid adenoma on 99mTc-sestamibi imaging: a case report
Authors: Fiore Roberto , Gombert Edwige , La Rosa Stefano , Dunet Vincent , Sykiotis Gerasimos P. , Gorostidi François
Published: May 2024

Technetium-99m sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (99mTc-sestamibi SPECT/CT) is a mainstay of the pre-operative localization of parathyroid lesions. We report here the case of a 30 year-old woman with a fortuitously discovered 2 cm cervical mass for which a parathyroid origin was originally suspected due to its retro-thyroidal localization and a personal history of nephrolithiasis. Normal serum calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels excluded primary hyperparathyroidism, raising suspicion of a non-functional parathyroid adenoma, and SPECT/CT imaging showed that the mass was 99mTc-sestamibi-avid. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) was performed; cytology was non-diagnostic but the needle washout was negative for thyroglobulin, calcitonin and PTH, arguing against a thyroidal or parathyroidal origin of the mass. Core needle biopsy revealed a schwannoma, ostensibly originating from the recurrent laryngeal nerve; upon surgical resection, it was finally found to arise from the esophageal submucosa. This case illustrates the fact that endocrinologists, radiologists, nuclear medicine, head and neck, and other specialists investigating patients with cervical masses should be aware that schwannomas need to be considered in the differential diagnosis of focal 99mTc-sestamibi uptake in the neck region.
A functional autoregressive approach for modeling and forecasting short-term air temperature
Authors: Shah Ismail , Mubassir Pir , Ali Sajid , Albalawi Olayan
Published: May 2024

A precise forecast of atmospheric temperatures is essential for various applications such as agriculture, energy, public health, and transportation. Modern advancements in technology have led to the development of sensors and other tools to collect high-frequency air temperature data. However, accurate forecasts are challenging due to their specific features including high dimensionality, non-linearity, seasonal dependency, etc. To address these forecasting challenges, this study proposes a functional modeling framework based on the components estimation technique by partitioning the air temperature time series into deterministic and stochastic components. The deterministic component that comprises daily and yearly seasonalities is modeled and forecasted using generalized additive modeling techniques. Similarly, the stochastic component that accounts for the short-term dynamics of the process is modeled and forecasted by a functional autoregressive model, autoregressive integrated moving average, and vector autoregressive models. To evaluate the performance of models, hourly air temperature data are collected from Islamabad, Pakistan, and one-day-ahead out-of-sample forecasts are obtained for a complete year. The forecasting results from all models are compared using the root mean squared error, mean absolute error, and mean absolute percentage error. The results suggest that the proposed FAR model performs relatively well compared to ARIMA and VAR models, resulting in lower out-of-sample forecasting errors. The findings of this research can facilitate informed decision-making across sectors, optimize resource allocation, enhance public safety, and promote socio-economic resilience.
Augmented reality navigation systems in endoscopy
Authors: Metzger Rebecca , Suppa Per , Li Zhen , Vemuri Anant
Published: May 2024

Navigation assistance has become part of our daily lives and its implementation in medicine has been going on for the last 3 decades. Navigation is defined as the determination of a position in space in the context of its surroundings. While routing applications used in cars highlight the street to follow, in medical applications the real-world perception of the user is enriched by digital elements that provide guidance and help the user navigate. Unlike Virtual Reality (VR) solutions, which are mainly used for training, Augmented Reality systems (AR) do not require the user to wear specific headsets/goggles, but the virtual elements are overlaid over the real image displayed on a monitor. Depending on the application and the indication, there are large differences in how much these solutions have entered clinical routine. Especially in the fields of GI endoscopy and laparoscopy, AR navigation solutions are less prominently employed in clinical practice today and still hold significant potential to elevate patient care by improved physician support. This review touches upon why AR navigation systems are currently just starting to become implemented in the GI/laparoscopic clinical routine and which applications can be expected in the GI endoscopy and laparoscopy field. By taking the practitioner’s perspective and following the intuitive navigation workflow, it gives an overview of major available and potential future AR-applications in the GI endoscopy and laparoscopy space, the respective underlying technologies, their maturity level and their potential to change clinical practice.
Inflammatory and endothelial host responses in community-acquired pneumonia: exploring the relationships with HbA1c, admission plasma glucose, and glycaemic gap—a cross-sectional study
Authors: Dungu Arnold Matovu , Lundgaard Agnete Troen , Ryrsø Camilla Koch , Hegelund Maria Hein , Jensen Andreas Vestergaard , Kristensen Peter Lommer , Krogh-Madsen Rikke , Faurholt-Jepsen Daniel , Ostrowski Sisse Rye , Banasik Karina , Lindegaard Birgitte
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Diabetes is associated with dysregulated immune function and impaired cytokine release, while transient acute hyperglycaemia has been shown to enhance inflammatory cytokine release in preclinical studies. Although diabetes and acute hyperglycaemia are common among patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), the impact of chronic, acute, and acute-on-chronic hyperglycaemia on the host response within this population remains poorly understood. This study investigated whether chronic, acute, and acute-on- chronic hyperglycaemia are associated with distinct mediators of inflammatory, endothelial, and angiogenic host response pathways in patients with CAP.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study of 555 patients with CAP, HbA1c, admission plasma (p)-glucose, and the glycaemic gap (admission p-glucose minus HbA1c- derived average p-glucose) were employed as measures of chronic, acute, and acute-on-chronic hyperglycaemia, respectively. Linear regression was used to model the associations between the hyperglycaemia measures and 47 proteins involved in inflammation, endothelial activation, and angiogenesis measured at admission. The models were adjusted for age, sex, CAP severity, pathogen, immunosuppression, comorbidity, and body mass index. Adjustments for multiple testing were performed with a false discovery rate threshold of less than 0.05.

Results

The analyses showed that HbA1c levels were positively associated with IL-8, IL-15, IL-17A/F, IL-1RA, sFlt-1, and VEGF-C. Admission plasma glucose was also positively associated with these proteins and GM-CSF. The glycaemic gap was positively associated with IL-8, IL-15, IL-17A/F, IL-2, and VEGF-C.

Conclusion

In conclusion, chronic, acute, and acute-on-chronic hyperglycaemia were positively associated with similar host response mediators. Furthermore, acute and acute-on-chronic hyperglycaemia had unique associations with the inflammatory pathways involving GM-CSF and IL-2, respectively.
Homozygosity in any HLA locus is a risk factor for specific antibody production: the taboo concept 2.0
Authors: Loeffler-Wirth Henry , Lehmann Claudia , Lachmann Nils , Doxiadis Ilias
Published: May 2024

Objective

In a cooperative study of the University Hospital Leipzig, University of Leipzig, and the Charité Berlin on kidney transplant patients, we analysed the occurrence of HLA-specific antibodies with respect to the HLA setup of the patients. We aimed at the definition of specific HLA antigens towards which the patients produced these antibodies.

Methods

Patients were typed for the relevant HLA determinants using mainly the next-generation technology. Antibody screening was performed by the state-of-the-art multiplex-based technology using microspheres coupled with the respective HLA alleles of HLA class I and II determinants.

Results

Patients homozygous for HLA-A*02, HLA-A*03, HLA-A*24, HLA-B*07, HLA-B*18, HLA-B*35, HLA-B*44, HLA-C*03, HLA-C*04, and HLA-C*07 in the class I group and HLA-DRB1*01, HLA-DRB1*03, HLA-DRB1*07, HLA-DRB1*15, HLA-DQA1*01, HLA-DQA1*05, HLA-DQB1*02, HLA-DQB1*03(7), HLA-DQB1*06, HLA-DPA1*01, and HLA-DPB1*04 in the class II group were found to have a significant higher antibody production compared to the heterozygous ones. In general, all HLA determinants are affected. Remarkably, HLA-A*24 homozygous patients can produce antibodies towards all HLA-A determinants, while HLA-B*18 homozygous ones make antibodies towards all HLA-B and selected HLA-A and C antigens, and are associated with an elevation of HLA-DRB1, parts of DQB1 and DPB1 alleles. Homozygosity for the HLA class II HLA-DRB1*01, and HLA-DRB1*15 seems to increase the risk for antibody responses against most of the HLA class I antigens (HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C) in contrast to HLA-DQB1*03(7) where a lower risk towards few HLA-A and HLA-B alleles is found. The widely observed differential antibody response is therefore to be accounted to the patient’s HLA type.

Conclusion

Homozygous patients are at risk of producing HLA-specific antibodies hampering the outcome of transplantation. Including this information on the allocation procedure might reduce antibody-mediated immune reactivity and prevent graft loss in a patient at risk, increasing the life span of the transplanted organ.
Knowledge and attitude of surgical patients and their families toward anesthesia
Authors: Wang Jie , Wang Shuai , Zeng Ruifeng
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Anesthesia plays a critical role in modern surgical procedures by ensuring patient pain management and safety. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and attitude of surgical patients and their families toward anesthesia.

Methods

This prospective, cross-sectional study included patients and their families in Wenzhou, China. Data collection and the measurement of knowledge and attitude scores were administered using a self-administered questionnaire.

Results

503 participants (69.98% patients, 30.02% families) were included. The mean knowledge and attitude scores were 7.93 ± 6.11 (possible range: 0–26), and 32.64 ± 2.59 (possible range: 8–40), respectively, indicating an inadequate knowledge and positive attitude. Moreover, a multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that age [odd ratio (OR) = 0.394, p = 0.018], residence (OR = 0.424, p = 0.002), household income per month (OR = 0.297 ~ 0.380, p < 0.05), gender (OR = 1.680, p = 0.017), education (OR = 2.891, p = 0.017), and experienced anesthesia (OR = 4.405, p = 0.001) were independently associated with knowledge score. Additionally, knowledge score (OR = 1.096, p < 0.001), relationship with the patient (OR = 1.902, p = 0.009), and household income per month (OR = 0.545, p < 0.031) were independently associated with attitude score.

Discussion

In conclusion, surgical patients and their families in Wenzhou, China had inadequate knowledge while positive attitude towards anesthesia, which might be influenced by their sociodemographic characteristics, including age, gender, residence, education, household income, relationship with patient, and experienced anesthesia. These findings emphasize the necessity of customized educational programs aimed at improving anesthesia knowledge and attitudes of patients and their families, especially among those with older age and lower socioeconomic status.
Serotype distribution, clinical characteristics, and antimicrobial resistance of pediatric invasive pneumococcal disease in Colombia during PCV10 mass vaccination (2017–2022)
Authors: Camacho-Moreno Germán , Leal Aura Lucia , Patiño-Niño Jaime , Vasquez-Hoyos Pablo , Gutiérrez Ivan , Beltrán Sandra , Álvarez-Olmos Martha I. , Mariño Ana-Cristina , Londoño-Ruiz Juan Pablo , Barrero Rocio , Rojas Juan Pablo , Espinosa Fabio , Arango-Ferreira Catalina , Suarez María Alejandra , Trujillo Monica , López-Medina Eduardo , López Pio , Coronell Wilfrido , Ramos Nicolas , Restrepo Alejandro , Montañez Anita , Moreno Vivian Marcela
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (IPD) causes significant morbidity and mortality in children under 5 y. Colombia introduced PCV10 vaccination in 2012, and the Neumocolombia network has been monitoring IPD in pediatric patients since 2008.

Materials and methods

This study is a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort involving pediatric patients with IPD admitted to 17 hospitals in Colombia, from January 1st, 2017, to December 31st, 2022. We present data on serotypes (Spn), clinical characteristics, and resistance patterns.

Results

We report 530 patients, 215 (40.5%) were younger than 24 months. Among these, 344 cases (64.7%) presented with pneumonia, 95 (17.9%) with primary bacteremia, 53 (10%) with meningitis, 6 (1.1%) had pneumonia and meningitis, and 32 (6%) had other IPD diagnosis. The median hospital stay was 12 days (RIQ 8–14 days), and 268 (50.6%) were admitted to the ICU, of whom 60 (11.3%) died. Serotyping was performed in 298 (56.1%). The most frequent serotypes were Spn19A (51.3%), Spn6C (7.7%), Spn3 (6.7%), Spn6A (3.6%), and Spn14 (3.6%). Of 495 (93%) isolates with known susceptibility, 46 (9.2%) were meningeal (M) and 449 (90.7%) non-meningeal (NM). Among M isolates, 41.3% showed resistance to penicillin, and 21.7% decreased susceptibility to ceftriaxone. For NM isolates, 28.2% had decreased susceptibility to penicilin, and 24.2% decreased susceptibility to ceftriaxone. Spn19A showed the highest resistant to penicillin at 47% and was linked to multiresistance.

Conclusion

The prevalence of PCV10-included serotypes decreased, while serotypes 19A and 6C increased, with Spn19A being associated with multiresistance. These findings had played a crucial role in the decision made by Colombia to modify its immunization schedule by switching to PCV13 in July 2022.
Extracorporeal ShockWave Treatment vs. mesotherapy in the treatment of myofascial syndromes: a clinical trial
Authors: Scaturro Dalila , Migliorino Domenico , Lauricella Lorenza , Quartararo Francesco , Calabrese Noemi , Tomasello Sofia , Vecchio Michele , Letizia Mauro Giulia
Published: May 2024

Numerous scientific papers have compared different treatment options in the management of myofascial pain syndrome. This study evaluated the efficacy of Extracorporeal ShockWave Treatment (ESWT) and mesotherapy in patients with Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) in terms of improvement in pain, functional capacity, and quality of life. A case–control study was conducted on 54 patients, who were randomized into 2 groups: group A, consisting of 27 patients, who were treated with 5 sessions of focal ESWT on a weekly basis; and group B, consisting of 27 patients, who underwent 5 sessions of mesotherapy with Thiocolchicoside fl 4 mg/2 mL and Mepivacaine fl 10 mg/1 mL on a weekly basis. Patients were evaluated at enrollment (T0), after 5 weeks, at the end of rehabilitation treatment (T1), and at a follow- up 30 days after the end of treatment (T2), by administering rating scales (Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) - Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) – Short Form-36 (SF-36)). The results showed that focal ESWT and Mesoterapy are two valid and effective treatment options in reducing algic symptoms and improving short- and long-term quality of life. However, the use of ESWTs, despite being mildly painful but tolerated, has been shown to be superior to mesotherapy in terms of pain reduction and increased functional capacity.
Advancing NSCLC pathological subtype prediction with interpretable machine learning: a comprehensive radiomics-based approach
Authors: Kuang Bingling , Zhang Jingxuan , Zhang Mingqi , Xia Haoming , Qiang Guangliang , Zhang Jiangyu
Published: May 2024

Objective

This research aims to develop and assess the performance of interpretable machine learning models for diagnosing three histological subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) utilizing CT imaging data.

Methods

A retrospective cohort of 317 patients diagnosed with NSCLC was included in the study. These individuals were randomly segregated into two groups: a training set comprising 222 patients and a validation set with 95 patients, adhering to a 7:3 ratio. A comprehensive extraction yielded 1,834 radiomic features. For feature selection, statistical methodologies such as the Mann–Whitney U test, Spearman’s rank correlation, and one-way logistic regression were employed. To address data imbalance, the Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE) was utilized. The study designed three distinct models to predict adenocarcinoma (ADC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and large cell carcinoma (LCC). Six different classifiers, namely Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machine, Decision Tree, Random Forest, eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), and LightGBM, were deployed for model training. Model performance was gauged through accuracy metrics and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves (AUC). To interpret the diagnostic process, the Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) approach was applied.

Results

For the ADC, SCC, and LCC groups, 9, 12, and 8 key radiomic features were selected, respectively. In terms of model performance, the XGB model demonstrated superior performance in predicting SCC and LCC, with AUC values of 0.789 and 0.848, respectively. For ADC prediction, the Random Forest model excelled, showcasing an AUC of 0.748.

Conclusion

The constructed machine learning models, leveraging CT imaging, exhibited robust predictive capabilities for SCC, LCC, and ADC subtypes of NSCLC. These interpretable models serve as substantial support for clinical decision-making processes.
High-throughput nanopore targeted sequencing for efficient drug resistance assay of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Tang Chen , Wu Lianpeng , Li Machao , Dai Jianyi , Shi Ye , Wang Qiongdan , Xu Feng , Zheng Laibao , Xiao Xingxing , Cai Junwen , Zhang Yanjun , Yang Yuting , Zheng Xiaoqun , Xiang Guangxin
Published: May 2024

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), especially multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), is one of the urgent clinical problems and public health challenges. Culture-based phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (pDST) is time-consuming, and PCR-based assays are limited to hotspot mutations. In this study, we developed and validated a convenient and efficient approach based on high-throughput nanopore sequencing technology combined with multiplex PCR, namely nanopore targeted sequencing (NTS), to simultaneously sequence 18 genes associated with antibiotic resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). The analytical performance of NTS was evaluated, and 99 clinical samples were collected to assess its clinical performance. The NTS results showed that MTB and its drug resistance were successfully identified in approximately 7.5 h. Furthermore, compared to the pDST and Xpert MTB/RIF assays, NTS provided much more drug resistance information, covering 14 anti-TB drugs, and it identified 20 clinical cases of drug-resistant MTB. The mutations underlying these drug-resistant cases were all verified using Sanger sequencing. Our approach for this TB drug resistance assay offers several advantages, including being culture-free, efficient, high-throughput, and highly accurate, which would be very helpful for clinical patient management and TB infection control.
Mild to moderate drought stress reinforces the role of functional microbiome in promoting growth of a dominant forage species (Neopallasia pectinata) in desert steppe
Authors: Gao Hui , Huang Zhenzhen , Chen Weiwei , Xing An , Zhao Shixiang , Wan Weifan , Hu Haina , Li Haigang
Published: May 2024

Background

Desert steppe ecosystems are prone to drought stress, which influences the ecological balance and sustainable development of grasslands. In addition to directly restrict plant growth, drought stress indirectly impacts plant fitness by altering the diversity and function of root-associated microbiomes. This begs the question of whether the functional microbiome of forage plants, represented by synthetic microbial communities (SynComs), can be leveraged to mitigate drought stress in desert steppes and promote the ecological restoration of these fragile ecosystems.

Methods

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the role of SynComs in improving the plant growth and drought stress resistance of Neopallasia pectinata (Pall.) Poljak in desert steppe in Inner Mongolia, China. Six SynComs were derived from the rhizosphere and root endosphere of 12 dominant forage species in the desert steppe. Each SynCom comprised two to three bacterial genera (Bacillus, Protomicromonospora, and Streptomyces). We examined the capacities of different SynComs for nutrient solubilization, phytohormone secretion, and enzymatic activity.

Results

Under no water stress (75% soil water holding capacity, WHC), single strains performed better than SynComs in promoting plant growth in terms of stem diameter, root length, and plant dry weight, with the greatest effects observed for Streptomyces coeruleorubidus ATCC 13740 (p < 0.05). However, under mild to moderate drought stress (55% and 35% WHC), SynComs outperformed single strains in enhancing plant biomass accumulation and inducing the production of resistance-related substances (p < 0.05). No significant effect of single strains and SynComs emerged under extreme drought stress (20% WHC).

Conclusion

This study underscores the potential of SynComs in facilitating forage plants to combat drought stress in desert steppe. Mild to moderate drought stress stimulates SynComs to benefit the growth of N. pectinata plants, despite a soil moisture threshold (21% WHC) exists for the microbial effect. The use of SynComs provides a promising strategy for the ecological restoration and sustainable utilization of desert steppes by manipulating the functional microbiome of forage plants.
Dynamics of antibiotic resistance genes and the association with bacterial community during pig manure composting with chitin and glucosamine addition
Authors: Wang Bo , Chen Wenjie , Sa Chula , Gao Xin , Chang Su , Wei Yuquan , Li Ji , Shi Xiong , Zhang Longli , Zhang Chunhua , Li Wenting , Sun Haizhou
Published: May 2024

In modern ecological systems, the overuse and misuse of antibiotics have escalated the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and mobile genetic elements (MGEs), positioning them as emerging environmental contaminants. Notably, composting serves as a sustainable method to recycle agricultural waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer while potentially reducing ARGs and MGEs. This study conducted a 47-day composting experiment using pig manure and corn straw, supplemented with chitin and N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine, to explore the impact of these additives on the dynamics of ARGs and MGEs, and to unravel the interplay between these genetic elements and microbial communities in pig manure composting. Results showed that adding 5% chitin into composting significantly postponed thermophilic phase, yet enhanced the removal efficiency of total ARGs and MGEs by over 20% compared to the control. Additionally, the addition of N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine significantly increased the abundance of tetracycline-resistant and sulfonamide-resistant genes, as well as MGEs. High-throughput sequencing revealed that N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine enhanced bacterial α-diversity, providing diverse hosts for ARGs and MGEs. Resistance mechanisms, predominantly efflux pumps and antibiotic deactivation, played a pivotal role in shaping the resistome of composting process. Co-occurrence network analysis identified the key bacterial phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Gemmatimonadota, and Myxococcota in ARGs and MGEs transformation and dissemination. Redundancy analysis indicated that physicochemical factors, particularly the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio emerged as critical variables influencing ARGs and MGEs. The findings lay a foundation for the developing microbial regulation method to reduce the risks of ARGs in animal manure composts.
Soil microbial community variation among different land use types in the agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China is likely to be caused by anthropogenic activities
Authors: Sun Zhaokai , Sun Chongzhi , Zhang Tongrui , Liu Jia , Wang Xinning , Feng Jing , Li Shucheng , Tang Shiming , Jin Ke
Published: May 2024

There are various types of land use in the agricultural and pastoral areas of northern China, including natural grassland and artificial grassland, scrub land, forest land and farmland, may change the soil microbial community However, the soil microbial communities in these different land use types remain poorly understood. In this study, we compared soil microbial communities in these five land use types within the agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China. Our results showed that land use has had a considerable impact on soil bacterial and fungal community structures. Bacterial diversity was highest in shrubland and lowest in natural grassland; fungal diversity was highest in woodland. Microbial network structural complexity also differed significantly among land use types. The lower complexity of artificial grassland and farmland may be a result of the high intensity of anthropogenic activities in these two land-use types, while the higher structural complexity of the shrubland and woodland networks characterised by low-intensity management may be a result of low anthropogenic disturbance. Correlation analysis of soil properties (e.g., soil physicochemical properties, soil nutrients, and microbiomass carbon and nitrogen levels) and soil microbial communities demonstrated that although microbial taxa were correlated to some extent with soil environmental factors, these factors did not sufficiently explain the microbial community differences among land use types. Understanding variability among soil microbial communities within agro-pastoral areas of northern China is critical for determining the most effective land management strategies and conserving microbial diversity at the regional level.
Endogenous Type I-C CRISPR-Cas system of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus promotes biofilm formation and pathogenicity
Authors: Xie Honglin , Zhang Riteng , Li Ziyuan , Guo Ruhai , Li Junda , Fu Qiang , Wang Xinglong , Zhou Yefei
Published: May 2024

Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (SEZ) is a significant zoonotic pathogen that causes septicemia, meningitis, and mastitis in domestic animals. Recent reports have highlighted high-mortality outbreaks among swine in the United States. Traditionally recognized for its adaptive immune functions, the CRISPR-Cas system has also been implicated in gene regulation, bacterial pathophysiology, virulence, and evolution. The Type I-C CRISPR-Cas system, which is prevalent in SEZ isolates, appears to play a pivotal role in regulating the pathogenicity of SEZ. By constructing a Cas3 mutant strain (ΔCas3) and a CRISPR-deficient strain (ΔCRISPR), we demonstrated that this system significantly promotes biofilm formation and cell adhesion. However, the deficiency in the CRISPR-Cas system did not affect bacterial morphology or capsule production. In vitro studies showed that the CRISPR-Cas system enhances pro-inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 cells. The ΔCas3 and ΔCRISPR mutant strains exhibited reduced mortality rates in mice, accompanied by a decreased bacterial load in specific organs. RNA-seq analysis revealed distinct expression patterns in both mutant strains, with ΔCas3 displaying a broader range of differentially expressed genes, which accounted for over 70% of the differential genes observed in ΔCRISPR. These genes were predominantly linked to lipid metabolism, the ABC transport system, signal transduction, and quorum sensing. These findings enhance our understanding of the complex role of the CRISPR-Cas system in SEZ pathogenesis and provide valuable insights for developing innovative therapeutic strategies to combat infections.
Comprehensive landscape of junctional genes and their association with overall survival of patients with lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Xie Bin , Wu Ting , Hong Duiguo , Lu Zhe
Published: May 2024

Objectives

Junctional proteins are involved in tumorigenesis. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between junctional genes and the prognosis of patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).

Methods

Transcriptome, mutation, and clinical data were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). “Limma” was used to screen differentially expressed genes. Moreover, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used to identify junctional genes associated with LUAD prognosis. The junctional gene-related risk score (JGRS) was generated based on multivariate Cox regression analysis. An overall survival (OS) prediction model combining the JGRS and clinicopathological properties was proposed using a nomogram and further validated in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) LUAD cohort.

Results

To our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate the correlation between the mRNA levels of 14 junctional genes (CDH15, CDH17, CDH24, CLDN6, CLDN12, CLDN18, CTNND2, DSG2, ITGA2, ITGA8, ITGA11, ITGAL, ITGB4, and PKP3) and clinical outcomes of patients with LUAD. The JGRS was generated based on these 14 genes, and a higher JGRS was associated with older age, higher stage levels, and lower immune scores. Thus, a prognostic prediction nomogram was proposed based on the JGRS. Internal and external validation showed the good performance of the prediction model. Mechanistically, JGRS was associated with cell proliferation and immune regulatory pathways. Mutational analysis revealed that more somatic mutations occurred in the high-JGRS group than in the low-JGRS group.

Conclusion

The association between junctional genes and OS in patients with LUAD demonstrated by our “TCGA filtrating and GEO validating” model revealed a new function of junctional genes.
Association of soluble TREM2 with Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Ruiqi , Zhan Yijun , Zhu Wenyan , Yang Qianwen , Pei Jian
Published: May 2024

Objective

Soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (sTREM2) is a potential neuroinflammatory biomarker linked to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Previous studies have produced inconsistent results regarding sTREM2 levels in various clinical stages of AD. This study aims to establish the correlation between sTREM2 levels and AD progression through a meta-analysis of sTREM2 levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood.

Methods

Comprehensive searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library to identify observational studies reporting CSF and blood sTREM2 levels in AD patients, MCI patients, and healthy controls. A random effects meta-analysis was used to calculate the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Thirty-six observational studies involving 3,016 AD patients, 3,533 MCI patients, and 4,510 healthy controls were included. CSF sTREM2 levels were significantly higher in both the AD [SMD = 0.28, 95% CI (0.15, 0.41)] and MCI groups [SMD = 0.30, 95% CI (0.13, 0.47)] compared to the healthy control group. However, no significant differences in expression were detected between the AD and MCI groups [SMD = 0.09, 95% CI (−0.09, 0.26)]. Furthermore, increased plasma sTREM2 levels were associated with a higher risk of AD [SMD = 0.42, 95% CI (0.01, 0.83)].

Conclusion

CSF sTREM2 levels are positively associated with an increased risk of AD and MCI. Plasma sTREM2 levels were notably higher in the AD group than in the control group and may serve as a promising biomarker for diagnosing AD. However, sTREM2 levels are not effective for distinguishing between different disease stages of AD. Further investigations are needed to explore the longitudinal changes in sTREM2 levels, particularly plasma sTREM2 levels, during AD progression.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42024514593
Characteristics of quiescent adult neural stem cells induced by the bFGF/BMP4 combination or BMP4 alone in vitro
Authors: Xu Sutong , Zhang Xi , Li Zhuoqun , Liu Chenming , Liu Qiulu , Chai Huazhen , Yao Hongkai , Luo Yuping , Li Siguang , Li Chun
Published: May 2024

Bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP4) is involved in regulation of neural stem cells (NSCs) proliferation, differentiation, migration and survival. It was previously thought that the treatment of NSCs with BMP4 alone induces astrocytes, whereas the treatment of NSCs with the bFGF/BMP4 combination induces quiescent neural stem cells (qNSCs). In this study, we performed bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) to compare the transcriptome profiles of BMP4-treated NSCs and bFGF/BMP4-treated NSCs, and found that both NSCs treated by these two methods were Sox2 positive qNSCs which were able to generate neurospheres. However, NSCs treated by those two methods exhibited different characteristics in state and the potential for neuronal differentiation based on transcriptome analysis and experimental results. We found that BMP4-treated NSCs tended to be in a deeper quiescent state than bFGF/BMP4-treated NSCs as the percentage of ki67-positive cells were lower in BMP4-treated NSCs. And after exposure to differentiated environment, bFGF/BMP4-treated NSCs generated more DCX-positive immature neurons and MAP2-positive neurons than BMP4-treated NSCs. Our study characterized qNSCs treated with BMP4 alone and bFGF/BMP4 combination, providing a reference for the scientific use of BMP4 and bFGF/BMP4-induced qNSCs models.
The ketogenic diet and hypoxia promote mitophagy in the context of glaucoma
Authors: Morgan Autumn B. , Fan Yan , Inman Denise M.
Published: May 2024

Mitochondrial homeostasis includes balancing organelle biogenesis with recycling (mitophagy). The ketogenic diet protects retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) from glaucoma-associated neurodegeneration, with a concomitant increase in mitochondrial biogenesis. This study aimed to determine if the ketogenic diet also promoted mitophagy. MitoQC mice that carry a pH-sensitive mCherry-GFP tag on the outer mitochondrial membrane were placed on a ketogenic diet or standard rodent chow for 5 weeks; ocular hypertension (OHT) was induced via magnetic microbead injection in a subset of control or ketogenic diet animals 1 week after the diet began. As a measure of mitophagy, mitolysosomes were quantified in sectioned retina immunolabeled with RBPMS for RGCs or vimentin for Müller glia. Mitolysosomes were significantly increased as a result of OHT and the ketogenic diet (KD) in RGCs. Interestingly, the ketogenic diet increased mitolysosome number significantly higher than OHT alone. In contrast, OHT and the ketogenic diet both increased mitolysosome number in Müller glia to a similar degree. To understand if hypoxia could be a stimulus for mitophagy, we quantified mitolysosomes after acute OHT, finding significantly greater mitolysosome number in cells positive for pimonidazole, an adduct formed in cells exposed to hypoxia. Retinal protein analysis for BNIP3 and NIX showed no differences across groups, suggesting that these receptors were equivocal for mitophagy in this model of OHT. Our data indicate that OHT and hypoxia stimulate mitophagy and that the ketogenic diet is an additive for mitophagy in RGCs. The different response across RGCs and Müller glia to the ketogenic diet may reflect the different metabolic needs of these cell types.
Visualization analysis of research frontiers and trends in the treatment of sciatic nerve injury
Authors: Wang Yan , Wang Yahui , Lv Lijie , Li Tianyi , Wang Yan , Pei Fei
Published: May 2024

Objective

To visualize and analyze the literature related to sciatic nerve injury treatment from January 2019 to December 2023, and summarize the current status, hotspots, and development trends of research in this field.

Methods

Using CiteSpace and VOSviewer software, we searched the Web of Science database for literature related to the treatment of sciatic nerve injury. Then we analyzed and plotted visualization maps to show the number of publications, countries, institutions, authors, keywords, references, and journals.

Results

A total of 2,653 articles were included in the English database. The annual number of publications exceeded 230, and the citation frequency increased yearly. The United States and China were identified as high-influence nations in this field. Nantong University was the leading institution in terms of close cooperation among institutions. The authors Wang Yu had the highest number of publications and were highly influential in this field. Keyword analysis and reference Burst revealed a research focus on nerve regeneration and neuropathic pain, which involve regenerative medicine and neural tissue engineering. Chronic pain resulting from sciatic nerve injury often manifests alongside anxiety, depression, cognitive-behavioral disorders, and other issues. Interventions such as stem cells, electrical stimulation, electroacupuncture, total joint replacement, pharmacological interventions, gene therapy, nerve conduits, chitosan scaffolds, and exercise promote nerve repair and alleviate pain. Schwann cells have been the focus of much attention in nerve repair and regeneration. Improving the outcome of sciatic nerve injury is a current research challenge and focus in this field. Based on keyword Burst, nerve conduits and grafts may become a potential research hotspot in the treatment of sciatic nerve injury.

Conclusion

This visual analysis summarizes research trends and developments of sciatic nerve injury treatment and predicts potential research frontiers and hot directions.
Exposure to bilingual or monolingual maternal speech during pregnancy affects the neurophysiological encoding of speech sounds in neonates differently
Authors: Gorina-Careta Natàlia , Arenillas-Alcón Sonia , Puertollano Marta , Mondéjar-Segovia Alejandro , Ijjou-Kadiri Siham , Costa-Faidella Jordi , Gómez-Roig María Dolores , Escera Carles
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Exposure to maternal speech during the prenatal period shapes speech perception and linguistic preferences, allowing neonates to recognize stories heard frequently in utero and demonstrating an enhanced preference for their mother’s voice and native language. Yet, with a high prevalence of bilingualism worldwide, it remains an open question whether monolingual or bilingual maternal speech during pregnancy influence differently the fetus’ neural mechanisms underlying speech sound encoding.

Methods

In the present study, the frequency-following response (FFR), an auditory evoked potential that reflects the complex spectrotemporal dynamics of speech sounds, was recorded to a two-vowel /oa/ stimulus in a sample of 129 healthy term neonates within 1 to 3 days after birth. Newborns were divided into two groups according to maternal language usage during the last trimester of gestation (monolingual; bilingual). Spectral amplitudes and spectral signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) at the stimulus fundamental (F0) and first formant (F1) frequencies of each vowel were, respectively, taken as measures of pitch and formant structure neural encoding.

Results

Our results reveal that while spectral amplitudes at F0 did not differ between groups, neonates from bilingual mothers exhibited a lower spectral SNR. Additionally, monolingually exposed neonates exhibited a higher spectral amplitude and SNR at F1 frequencies.

Discussion

We interpret our results under the consideration that bilingual maternal speech, as compared to monolingual, is characterized by a greater complexity in the speech sound signal, rendering newborns from bilingual mothers more sensitive to a wider range of speech frequencies without generating a particularly strong response at any of them. Our results contribute to an expanding body of research indicating the influence of prenatal experiences on language acquisition and underscore the necessity of including prenatal language exposure in developmental studies on language acquisition, a variable often overlooked yet capable of influencing research outcomes.