bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of the Current Crisis on Community’s Subjective State. Directions for Rebuilding Individual Wellbeing in the Post-Crisis Period
Authors: ZAMFIR Elena
Published: March 2024

The choice of a lifestyle was and will remain an important part of the way in which we organise our life, certainly in the given socio-economic and cultural conditions. Lifestyle is built in agreement with the wish of each and any of us to achieve satisfaction with life, or in philosophical language, happiness. The concept of subjective wellbeing is a fundamental one in the quality-of-life paradigm. The main indicator of the subjective state is satisfaction with life. Global satisfaction with life is the outcome of the degree of fulfillment of the individual as general average of all fields of life. In this indicator are included important human benefits, results of economic growth in relationship with the wishes and aspirations to happiness and welfare. They express the permanent orientation of the individual towards self-development/self-construction. In fact, satisfaction with life, as subjective state of individual wellbeing depends on both economic personal welfare (living standard, income, employment, financial situation) and on the state of society’s organization and governance quality, family situation, type of interpersonal and neighborship relations, social participation, etc. The lifestyle is also a key-factor here. Sectoral indicators of satisfaction with life cover the main spheres of human existence (family, profession, work, free time, safety, civic and political participation, personal development, interpersonal relationships, neighborship and friendship relationships, etc.). Subjective wellbeing or “subjective/perceived quality of life” is a critical structural component of the global state of wellbeing. It is the human filter of the objective living conditions. The subjective quality of life is not just the summation of the quality of life’s components, but more than that, the synthesis of its results: the state of human balance, tranquility, wellness. And, the result might allow accessing happiness, the perpetual aspiration of the human. By means of the subjective indicators for satisfaction with life, happiness benefits of ways for precise measurement and analysis. The concept of happiness is a key-concept of all philosophical systems, but it entered by operational forms also in socio-humane, medical and economic sciences, etc.
Psychological Attribution and Policy Intervention Pathway Analysis of Low Carbon Consumption Behavior of Consumers
Authors: HAN Miao
Published: March 2024

Currently, research in the field of shared consumption mainly focuses on analyzing the factors influencing consumer behavior. Although some studies involve individual psychological factors, most of these studies focus on some variables and lack completeness, and few scholars attempt to explain the gap between willingness and behavior. In previous studies on government regulation and governance of the sharing economy, scholars often overlooked the connection between policy intervention factors and individual behavior attribution, resulting in a lack of effectiveness and persistence in the policy intervention path and strategic effects of sharing consumption behavior. This article explores the psychological attribution of low-carbon consumer behavior and analyzes the path of policy intervention. Through literature review and empirical research, this article finds that consumer low-carbon consumption behavior is influenced by various psychological factors, such as environmental awareness, social responsibility, moral concepts, etc. Meanwhile, policy intervention plays an important role in promoting low-carbon consumer behavior. This article proposes specific paths for policy intervention, including raising public environmental awareness, guiding enterprises to assume social responsibility, and strengthening policy supervision.
Challenges of Measuring Social Impact in Romania. A Case Study in a Social Economy Organization Active in the Social Services Field
Authors: BARNA Cristina , REBELEANU Adina Daniela
Published: March 2024

Even if the social economy is an emergent sector in Romania, advancing social impact measurement and management becomes imperative for public authorities and the whole society to understand how much positive social change can be attributed to the social economy organizations, especially those active in the social services field. The main objective of this paper is to systematically review and analyse the first fragile attempts of social impact approach and measurement in Romania. Applicative research will be carried out in a social economy organization active in the social services field to understand the current challenges of measuring and managing social impact faced by social economy organizations. The article concludes with an in-depth discussion and a set of recommendations for developing a more effective national impact measurement framework better calibrated to the social and solidarity economy realities, particularly considering the social services field.
Pengaruh Literasi Keuangan Syariah Terhadap Minat Mahasiswa Menggunakan Produk Paylater Non Syariah
Authors: Chandra Septin Angel , Zainal Abdul Haris  , Retno Widyastuti
Published: March 2024

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh literasi keuangan syariah terhadap minat mahasiswa menggunakan produk PayLater non syariah. Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian kuantitatif. Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan kuesioner yang disebar secara online kepada mahasiswa jurusan Akuntansi Politeknik Negeri Malang angkatan 2018-2021. Teknik pengambilan sampel menggunakan nonprobability sampling  yaitu sebanyak 95 orang. Analisis data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini menggunakan Analisis Regresi Linier Sederhana dengan bantuan software SPSS versi 26. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa tingkat literasi keuangan syariah tidak berpengaruh terhadap minat mahasiswa menggunakan produk PayLater non syariah dengan t hitung  sebesar -0,242 (<1,989), dan nilai signifikasi 0,809 (>0,05). Nilai koefisien determinasi (R2) sebesar 0,001 yang berarti bahwa kemampuan variabel tingkat literasi keuangan syariah dalam menjelaskan minat mahasiswa menggunakan produk PayLater non syariah adalah sebesar 0,1%.
Mineral Reporting Standards: PERC’s Role in CRIRSCO and Its Relevance to the European Mining Sector
Authors: Sides Edmund , Allington Ruth
Published: March 2024

Modern society is heavily reliant on minerals to support current lifestyles and requires continued investment in the exploration, evaluation, development, and production of mineral raw materials. Potential investors and their advisors require reliable information to support decisions on investments in minerals projects. To address these needs, international guidelines and reporting standards have been developed. The Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards (CRIRSCO) is an international association of fifteen regional organisations from around the world, which promotes best standards in international minerals reporting. The Pan-European Reserves and Resources Reporting Committee (PERC), the European member of CRIRSCO, is an association of six Europe-based professional organisations, including the Geological Society of London (GSL). CRIRSCO-aligned reporting standards, such as the PERC Reporting Standard, are based on common principles, rules and guidance, and include sixteen common definitions of key terms. A description of the CRIRSCO International Reporting Template, which provides the basis for the development and periodic updating of individual standards such as the PERC Reporting Standard, is provided. The different elements of the 2019 version of the CRIRSCO Template are described, together with a discussion of changes and additions made in the PERC Reporting Standard 2021 which is based on it. The need for continual development and enhancement of the CRIRSCO-aligned standards to address investor concerns such as the need for information on the environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects of mineral projects, as well as greater rigour in defining competency requirements, is discussed. Reference is also made to the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) and its relationship with the CRIRSCO-aligned standards, including the proposed use of the UNFC in the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) and how the two systems could be used in a complementary manner to support the needs of both governments and investors in mineral companies.
Advancements in CHO metabolomics: techniques, current state and evolving methodologies
Authors: Singh Rita , Fatima Eram , Thakur Lovnish , Singh Sevaram , Ratan Chandra , Kumar Niraj
Published: March 2024

Background: Investigating the metabolic behaviour of different cellular phenotypes, i.e., good/bad grower and/or producer, in production culture is important to identify the key metabolite(s)/pathway(s) that regulate cell growth and/or recombinant protein production to improve the overall yield. Currently, LC-MS, GC-MS and NMR are the most used and advanced technologies for investigating the metabolome. Although contributed significantly in the domain, each technique has its own biasness towards specific metabolites or class of metabolites due to various reasons including variability in the concept of working, sample preparation, metabolite-extraction methods, metabolite identification tools, and databases. As a result, the application of appropriate analytical technique(s) is very critical.

Purpose and scope: This review provides a state-of-the-art technological insights and overview of metabolic mechanisms involved in regulation of cell growth and/or recombinant protein production for improving yield from CHO cultures.

Summary and conclusion: In this review, the advancements in CHO metabolomics over the last 10 years are traced based on a bibliometric analysis of previous publications and discussed. With the technical advancement in the domain of LC-MS, GC-MS and NMR, metabolites of glycolytic and nucleotide biosynthesis pathway (glucose, fructose, pyruvate and phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, arginine, valine, asparagine, and serine, etc.) were observed to be upregulated in exponential-phase thereby potentially associated with cell growth regulation, whereas metabolites/intermediates of TCA, oxidative phosphorylation (aspartate, glutamate, succinate, malate, fumarate and citrate), intracellular NAD+/NADH ratio, and glutathione metabolic pathways were observed to be upregulated in stationary-phase and hence potentially associated with increased cell-specific productivity in CHO bioprocess. Moreover, each of technique has its own bias towards metabolite identification, indicating their complementarity, along with a number of critical gaps in the CHO metabolomics pipeline and hence first time discussed here to identify their potential remedies. This knowledge may help in future study designs to improve the metabolomic coverage facilitating identification of the metabolites/pathways which might get missed otherwise and explore the full potential of metabolomics for improving the CHO bioprocess performances.
Deciphering perivascular macrophages and microglia in the retinal ganglion cell layers
Authors: Jeon Jehwi , Park Yong Soo , Kim Sang-Hoon , Kong Eunji , Kim Jay , Yang Jee Myung , Lee Joo Yong , Kim You-Me , Kim In-Beom , Kim Pilhan
Published: March 2024

Introduction: The classically defined two retinal microglia layers are distributed in inner and outer plexiform layers. Although there are some reports that retinal microglia are also superficially located around the ganglion cell layer (GCL) in contact with the vitreous, there has been a lack of detailed descriptions and not fully understood yet.

Methods: We visualized the microglial layers by using CX3CR1-GFP (C57BL6) transgenic mice with both healthy and disease conditions including NaIO3-induced retinal degeneration models and IRBP-induced auto-immune uveitis models.

Result: We found the GCL microglia has two subsets; peripheral (pph) microglia located on the retinal parenchyma and BAM (CNS Border Associated Macrophage) which have a special stretched phenotype only located on the surface of large retinal veins. First, in the pph microglia subset, but not in BAM, Galectin-3 and LYVE1 are focally expressed. However, LYVE1 is specifically expressed in the amoeboid or transition forms, except the typical dendritic morphology in the pph microglia. Second, BAM is tightly attached to the surface of the retinal veins and has similar morphology patterns in both the healthy and disease conditions. CD86+ BAM has a longer process which vertically passes the proximal retinal veins. Our data helps decipher the basic anatomy and pathophysiology of the retinal microglia in the GCL.

Discussion: Our data helps decipher the basic anatomy and pathophysiology of the retinal microglia in the GCL.
Cardiac commitment driven by MyoD expression in pericardial stem cells
Authors: Zhao Jianfeng , Rui Limei , Ouyang Weili , Hao Yingcai , Liu Yusong , Tang Jianfeng , Ding Zheheng , Teng Zenghui , Liu Xueqing , Zhu Hongtao , Ding Zhaoping
Published: March 2024

Cellular therapy holds immense promise to remuscularize the damaged myocardium but is practically hindered by limited allogeneic sources of cardiac-committed cells that engraft stably in the recipient heart after transplantation. Here, we demonstrate that the pericardial tissue harbors myogenic stem cells (pSCs) that are activated in response to inflammatory signaling after myocardial infarction (MI). The pSCs derived from the MI rats (MI-pSCs) show in vivo and in vitro cardiac commitment characterized by cardiac-specific Tnnt2 expression and formation of rhythmic contraction in culture. Bulk RNA-seq analysis reveals significant upregulation of a panel of genes related to cardiac/myogenic differentiation, paracrine factors, and extracellular matrix in the activated pSCs compared to the control pSCs (Sham-pSCs). Notably, we define MyoD as a key factor that governs the process of cardiac commitment, as siRNA-mediated MyoD gene silencing results in a significant reduction of myogenic potential. Injection of the cardiac-committed cells into the infarcted rat heart leads to long-term survival and stable engraftment in the recipient myocardium. Therefore, these findings point to pericardial myogenic progenitors as an attractive candidate for cardiac cell-based therapy to remuscularize the damaged myocardium.
Emergence of eravacycline heteroresistance in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolates in China
Authors: Li Yi-tan , Chen Xian-di , Guo Ying-yi , Lin Shan-wen , Wang Ming-zhen , Xu Jian-bo , Wang Xiao-hu , He Guo-hua , Tan Xi-xi , Zhuo Chao , Lin Zhi-wei
Published: March 2024

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is resistant to almost all antibiotics. Eravacycline, a newer treatment option, has the potential to treat CRAB infections, however, the mechanism by which CRAB isolates develop resistance to eravacycline has yet to be clarified. This study sought to investigate the features and mechanisms of eravacycline heteroresistance among CRAB clinical isolates. A total of 287 isolates were collected in China from 2020 to 2022. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of eravacycline and other clinically available agents against A. baumannii were determined using broth microdilution. The frequency of eravacycline heteroresistance was determined by population analysis profiling (PAP). Mutations and expression levels of resistance genes in heteroresistant isolates were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), respectively. Antisense RNA silencing was used to validate the function of eravacycline heteroresistant candidate genes. Twenty-five eravacycline heteroresistant isolates (17.36%) were detected among 144 CRAB isolates with eravacycline MIC values ≤4 mg/L while no eravacycline heteroresistant strains were detected in carbapenem-susceptible A. baumannii (CSAB) isolates. All eravacycline heteroresistant strains contained OXA-23 carbapenemase and the predominant multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was ST208 (72%). Cross-resistance was observed between eravacycline, tigecycline, and levofloxacin in the resistant subpopulations. The addition of efflux pump inhibitors significantly reduced the eravacycline MIC in resistant subpopulations and weakened the formation of eravacycline heteroresistance in CRAB isolates. The expression levels of adeABC and adeRS were significantly higher in resistant subpopulations than in eravacycline heteroresistant parental strains (P < 0.05). An ISAba1 insertion in the adeS gene was identified in 40% (10/25) of the resistant subpopulations. Decreasing the expression of adeABC or adeRS by antisense RNA silencing significantly inhibited eravacycline heteroresistance. In conclusion, this study identified the emergence of eravacycline heteroresistance in CRAB isolates in China, which is associated with high expression of AdeABC and AdeRS.
Exploring potential trade-offs in outdoor water use reductions and urban tree ecosystem services during an extreme drought in Southern California
Authors: Torres Rachel , Tague Christina L. , McFadden Joseph P.
Published: March 2024

In Southern California cities, urban trees play a vital role in alleviating heat waves through shade provision and evaporative cooling. Trees in arid to semi-arid regions may rely on irrigation, which is often the first municipal water use to be restricted during drought, causing further drought stress. Finding a balance between efficient water use and maintaining tree health will be crucial for long-term urban forestry and water resources management, as climate change will increase drought and extreme heat events. This study aimed to quantify how urban tree water and carbon fluxes are affected by irrigation reductions, and how that relationship changes with tree species and temperature. We used an ecohydrologic model that mechanistically simulates water, carbon, and energy cycling, parameterized for 5 common tree species in a semi-arid urban area. We simulated a range of irrigation reductions based on average outdoor water use data from the city for a recent extreme drought as well as with warmer temperatures. We then analyzed the response of model outcomes of plant carbon fluxes, leaf area index (LAI), and water use. Results show that reducing irrigation up to 25%, a comparable amount as the California state mandate in 2014, has minimal effects on tree primary productivity and water use efficiency. We found that transpiration was linearly related to irrigation input, which could lead to a short-term loss of evaporative cooling with irrigation reductions during drought. However, primary productivity and LAI had a nonlinear response to irrigation, indicating shade provision could be maintained throughout drought with partial irrigation reductions. Results varied across tree species, with some species showing greater sensitivity of productivity to both irrigation reductions and potentially warmer droughts. These results have implications for water resources management before and during drought, and for urban tree climate adaptation to future drought.
Multimodal prosody: gestures and speech in the perception of prominence in Spanish
Authors: Jiménez-Bravo Miguel , Marrero-Aguiar Victoria
Published: March 2024

Multimodal communication cannot be properly understood without analyzing the natural interweaving of speech and gestures as it typically occurs in everyday spoken language, thus moving beyond studies that elicit gestures in the laboratory, most of which are also conducted for English. Therefore, this study addresses the effect of both visual and acoustic cues in the perception of prominence in Castilian Spanish using spontaneous speech from a TV talent-show. Four between-subjects experiments in each modality—audio-only and audiovisual—were conducted online, each including a different combination of manipulated cues: Exp1 (flat F0), Exp2 (flat intensity), and Exp3 (flat F0 + flat intensity), while all cues remained intact in the control experiment Exp0. Additionally, the capability of the different gesture phases to convey prominence was analyzed in their interaction with the acoustic cues. The results showed that, when prominence was perceived in manipulated stimuli, the effect of the visual information depended on the acoustic cues available in the signal and was also reduced when compared to non-manipulated stimuli, pointing to a strong integration of both modalities in prominence perception. In non-manipulated stimuli, all acoustic cues—except for spectral balance—played a role in the perception of prominence; however, when the visual information was added, it reduced the perceptual effect of the acoustic cues, and the main role played by duration was combined with that of the stroke phase of gestures.
Scaling the wall: overcoming barriers to STEM knowledge mobilization
Authors: Wilkins Matthew R. , Rapciak Stephanie E. , Goller Carlos C. , Weintraub Jory , Mikaelyan Aram
Published: March 2024

Improving science literacy is crucial amidst global challenges like climate change, emerging diseases, AI, and rampant disinformation. This is vital not only for future STEM generations but for all, to make informed decisions. Informal science communication efforts such as podcasts, popular science articles, and museum events are an essential part of the infrastructure for mobilizing knowledge and nurturing science literacy. However, in this Perspective, we emphasize the need to grow our capacity for STEM outreach in the formal K-12 classroom. While the majority of informal outreach mechanisms require audience members to seek out content, classrooms include those hard-to-reach target audiences that are not already STEM-engaged. We contrast the multitude of resources that have been developed to support informal outreach in recent decades with a relative paucity of such efforts in the K-12 formal classroom realm. We advocate for a more balanced deployment of resources and efforts between these two vital components of our knowledge mobilization and STEM engagement infrastructure. In particular, we highlight the key role of K-12 teachers as conduits for knowledge dissemination and the need for greater collaboration between scientists and teachers at individual and organizational levels. We also advocate for greater collaboration across programs in both the informal and formal outreach space, and dedicated effort to construct dissemination networks to share outreach materials at scale across disparate programs. The aim of our piece is to generate discussion about how we might refocus goals, funding mechanisms, and policies to grow the science-engaged society necessary to confront future challenges.
A case report on pheochromocytoma mimicking as fulminant myocarditis—a diagnostic challenge
Authors: Cheng Yanwei , Ding Ning , Wang Longan , Qin Lijie
Published: March 2024

We present an exceptional case of a 53-year-old female, initially misdiagnosed with fulminant myocarditis, but later correctly diagnosed with pheochromocytoma. The presentation of the patient included a spectrum of symptoms such as headache, chest discomfort, palpitations, and dyspnea, following the intake of Domperidone. Two weeks prior to admission, the patient had experienced episodes of diarrhea and a low-grade fever. Unresolved symptoms and an unmanageable surge in blood pressure despite comprehensive fulminant myocarditis treatment prompted further investigation. The discovery of an adrenal mass via a CT scan and subsequent biochemical tests led to the confirmation of pheochromocytoma. Implementation of alpha-blockade therapy and a successful laparoscopic adrenalectomy resulted in significant clinical improvement. This case underscores the diagnostic intricacies of pheochromocytoma and highlights the need for vigilance when faced with severe, unresponsive cardiovascular symptoms.
Sedimentary architecture of thin-layer beach bar sand bodies in the G oilfield, Niger
Authors: Wang Jianing , Lei Cheng , Yin Yanshu , Xu Zhenhua
Published: March 2024

The G oilfield in the southeastern Termit Basin of Niger is characterized by thin-bed beach bar deposits exhibiting strong reservoir heterogeneity and suboptimal production efficiency, necessitating internal structural dissection of the beach bar sand bodies. Employing a well-seismic integration approach, we systematically dissect the architecture of these sand bodies layer by layer to determine their spatial distribution. A classification scheme for beach bar architecture is proposed, with core and log data analysis identifying essential architectural elements and their logging responses. Seismic amplitudes, thin bed delineation, frequency decomposition inversion attributes, and attribute fusion technology delineate the architectural boundaries. Integrating five indicators from four-level architectural recognition at wellbores—shallow lake mudstone appearance, bar margin/beach microfacies occurrence, logging curve morphology differences, beach bar thickness variations, and elevation differences between adjacent bars—enables detailed dissection of the beach bar architecture, corroborated by connectivity analysis. In the study area, beach bar distribution primarily develops in two modes: vertical stacking (accumulation of multiple main bars from different episodes) and isolated (stable mudstone interlayers between main bar sand bodies appearing relatively isolated). This research provides a basis for dissecting beach bar architecture reservoirs under sparse well conditions.
Analysis of clinical evidence on traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy: a comprehensive review with evidence mapping
Authors: Gao Yating , Li Zhenghong , Wang Yiming , Zhang Haoling , Huang Ke , Fu Yujie , Xu Shanqiong , Li Qingna , Liu Xingfang , Zhang Guangde
Published: March 2024

Objective

This study aims to map evidence from Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews/Meta-analyses concerning the treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), understand the distribution of evidence in this field, and summarize the efficacy and existing problems of TCM in treating DN. The intention is to provide evidence-based data for TCM in preventing and treating DN and to offer a reference for defining future research directions.

Methods

Comprehensive searches of major databases were performed, spanning from January 2016 to May 2023, to include clinical RCTs and systematic reviews/Meta-analyses of TCM in treating DN. The analysis encompasses the publishing trend of clinical studies, the staging of research subjects, TCM syndrome differentiation, study scale, intervention plans, and outcome indicators. Methodological quality of systematic reviews was evaluated using the AMSTAR (Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews) checklist, and evidence distribution characteristics were analyzed using a combination of text and charts.

Results

A total of 1926 RCTs and 110 systematic reviews/Meta-analyses were included. The majority of studies focused on stage III DN, with Qi-Yin deficiency being the predominant syndrome type, and sample sizes most commonly ranging from 60 to 100. The TCM intervention durations were primarily between 12-24 weeks. Therapeutic measures mainly consisted of Chinese herbal decoctions and patented Chinese medicines, with a substantial focus on clinical efficacy rate, TCM symptomatology, and renal function indicators, while attention to quality of life, dosage of Western medicine, and disease progression was inadequate. Systematic reviews mostly scored between 5 and 8 on the AMSTAR scale, and evidence from 94 studies indicated potential positive effects.

Conclusion

DN represents a significant health challenge, particularly for the elderly, with TCM showing promise in symptom alleviation and renal protection. Yet, the field is marred by research inconsistencies and methodological shortcomings. Future investigations should prioritize the development of standardized outcome sets tailored to DN, carefully select evaluation indicators that reflect TCM’s unique intervention strategies, and aim to improve the robustness of clinical evidence. Emphasizing TCM’s foundational theories while incorporating advanced scientific technologies will be essential for innovating research methodologies and uncovering the mechanisms underlying TCM’s efficacy in DN management.
Exploring the efficiency and emission characteristics of hydroxy-boosted canola biodiesel in comparison to traditional diesel fuels
Authors: Çalık Ahmet
Published: March 2024

In this research, we experimentally examined how incorporating HHO into blends of 20% canola biodiesel with 80% diesel and 40% canola biodiesel with 60% diesel impacts the engine’s performance and its emission traits. Canola oil, widely used in Europe, served as the biodiesel base. The addition of HHO, recognized for its potential to improve combustion efficiency and reduce emissions which were deteriorated by biodiesel addition. The findings revealed decrement on fuel consumption as 5.74% and 4.43% and rise in thermal efficiencies as 3.92% and 3.97% with HHO addition compared to B20 and B40, respectively. Besides that, CO emissions were reduced significantly up to 35.43%, while CO2 emissions decreased moderately up to 14.93% compared to diesel fuel. On the other hand, biodiesel and HHO addition increased NOx emissions as 49.80%. Utilization of biodiesel and HHO in diesel engines offers a straightforward way to reduce emissions and enhance fuel efficiency, addressing environmental issues and promoting sustainable transportation.
Genetic insight into putative causes of xanthelasma palpebrarum: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Hu Wenting , Liu Yaozhong , Lian Cuihong , Lu Haocheng
Published: March 2024

Xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP) is the most common form of cutaneous xanthoma, with a prevalence of 1.1%~4.4% in the population. However, the cause of XP remains largely unknown. In the present study, we used Mendelian randomization to assess the genetic association between plasma lipids, metabolic traits, and circulating protein with XP, leveraging summary statistics from large genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Genetically predicted plasma cholesterol and LDL-C, but not HDL-C or triglyceride, were significantly associated with XP. Metabolic traits, including BMI, fasting glucose, type 2 diabetes, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, were not significantly associated with XP. Furthermore, we found genetically predicted 12 circulating proteins were associated with XP, including FN1, NTM, FCN2, GOLM1, ICAM5, PDE5A, C5, CLEC11A, CXCL1, CCL2, CCL11, CCL13. In conclusion, this study identified plasma cholesterol, LDL-C, and 12 circulating proteins to be putative causal factors for XP, highlighting the role of plasma cholesterol and inflammatory response in XP development.
Unraveling the immunological landscape in acute pancreatitis progression to sepsis: insights from a Mendelian randomization study on immune cell traits
Authors: Liu Wenbin , Wang Xiaofeng , Zhao Shanzhi , Yang Song , Zheng Xiangtao , Gong Fangchen , Pei Lei , Xu Dan , Li Ranran , Yang Zhitao , Mao Enqiang , Chen Erzhen , Chen Ying
Published: March 2024

Background

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a severe digestive system disorder with a significant risk of progressing to sepsis, a major cause of mortality. Unraveling the immunological pathways in AP is essential for developing effective treatments, particularly understanding the role of specific immune cell traits in this progression.

Methods

Employing a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) approach, this study first examined the causal relationship between AP and 731 immune cell traits to identify those significantly associated with AP. Subsequently, we explored the causal associations between 731 immune cell traits and sepsis. The analysis utilized extensive genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary datasets, with a focus on identifying common immune cell traits with statistically significant causal associations between AP and sepsis.

Results

Our investigation identified 44 immune cell traits unidirectionally associated with AP and 36 traits unidirectionally associated with sepsis. Among these, CD127 on CD28+ CD45RA- CD8+ T cells emerged as a common mediator, accounting for 5.296% of the increased risk of sepsis in AP patients. This finding highlights the significant role of specific memory CD8+ T cells in the pathophysiology of AP and its progression to sepsis.

Conclusion

This study elucidates the critical role of specific immune cell traits, particularly CD127hi memory CD8+ T cells, in the progression of AP to sepsis. Our findings provide a foundation for future research into targeted immune-modulatory therapies, potentially improving patient outcomes in AP-related sepsis and offering new insights into the complex immunological dynamics of this condition.
Detecting the role of Stokes drift under typhoon condition by a fully coupled wave-current model
Authors: Yu Ting , Deng Zengan , Zhang Chi , Hamdi Ali Amani
Published: March 2024

The impacts of Stokes drift and sea-state-dependent Langmuir turbulence (LT) on the three-dimensional ocean response to a tropical cyclone in the Bohai Sea are studied through two-way coupled wave-current simulations. The Stokes drift is calculated from the simulated wave spectrum of the wave model, Simulating Waves Nearshore (SWAN), and then input to the Princeton Ocean Model with the generalized coordinate system (POMgcs) to represent the Langmuir effect. The Langmuir circulation is included in the vertical mixing of the ocean model by adding the Stokes drift to the shear of the vertical mean current and by including LT enhancements to the Mellor-Yamada 2.5 turbulent closure submodel. Simulations are assessed through the case study of Typhoon Masta in 2005 with a set of diagnostic experiments that incorporated different terms of Stokes production (SP) respectively. It is shown that with the consideration of SP, a deeper mixed layer, an enhanced vertical mixing coefficient KMS, and a more accurate representation of the vertical temperature distribution could be derived. Moreover, the effect of LT in elevating the turbulence mixing is stronger than that of Coriolis Stokes force (CSF) and Craik-Leibovich vortex force (CLVF). LT has a greater influence on the vertical mixing during typhoon than that in normal weather.
Mesenchymal stem cell-based therapies for treating well-studied neurological disorders: a systematic review
Authors: Patel Gaurav Deepak , Liu Lichao , Li Ailian , Yang Yun-Hsuan , Shen Chia-Chi , Brand-Saberi Beate , Yang Xuesong
Published: March 2024

Background

Millions of people across the globe are affected by conditions like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), although most occurrences are common in the elderly population. This systematic review aims to highlight the safety of the procedures, their tolerability, and efficacy of the available therapies conducted over the years using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in treating the neurological conditions mentioned above.

Methods

PubMed was used to search for published data from clinical trials performed using mesenchymal stem cells. Studies that provided the necessary information that mentioned the efficacy and adverse effects of the treatment in patients were considered for this review.

Results

In total, 43 manuscripts were selected after a strategic search, and these studies have been included in this systematic review. Most included studies reported the safety of the procedures used and the treatment’s good tolerability, with mild adverse events such as fever, headache, mild pain at the injection site, or nausea being common. A few studies also reported death of some patients, attributed to the progression of the disease to severe stages before the treatment. Other severe events, such as respiratory or urinary infections reported in some studies, were not related to the treatment. Different parameters were used to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment based on the clinical condition of the patient.

Conclusion

Mesenchymal stem cells transplantation has so far proven to be safe and tolerable in select studies and patient types. This systematic review includes the results from the 43 selected studies in terms of safety and tolerability of the procedures, and several adverse events and therapeutic benefits during the follow-up period after administration of MSCs.
Detection and characterization of eravacycline heteroresistance in clinical bacterial isolates
Authors: Zhang Yingfeng , Liu Dongdong , Liu Yongzhu , Li Qiwei , Liu Hongwei , Zhou Peng , Liu Yaqin , Chen Lili , Yin Weiguo , Lu Yang
Published: March 2024

Eravacycline (ERV) has emerged as a therapeutic option for the treatment of carbapenem-resistant pathogens. However, the advent of heteroresistance (HR) to ERV poses a challenge to these therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to investigate ERV HR prevalence among common clinical isolates and further characterize ERV HR in carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP). A total of 280 clinical pathogens from two centers were selected for HR and analyzed using population analysis profiling (PAP) and modified E-tests. The PAP assay revealed an overall ERV HR prevalence of 0.7% (2/280), with intermediate heterogeneity observed in 24.3% (68/280) of strains. The proportion of heteroresistant strains was 18.3% according to modified E-test results. A time-killing assay demonstrated that CRKP CFU increased significantly after 10 h of ERV treatment, contributing to the reduced bactericidal effect of ERV in vitro. Interestingly, dual treatment with ERV and polymyxin B effectively inhibited the total CFU, simultaneously reducing the required polymyxin B concentration. Furthermore, fitness cost measurements revealed a growth trade-off in CRKP upon acquiring drug resistance, highlighting fitness costs as crucial factors in the emergence of ERV HR in CRKP. Overall, the findings of the current study suggest that ERV HR in clinical strains presents a potential obstacle in its clinical application.
Association between gut microbiota and autoimmune cholestatic liver disease, a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Cui YangLin , Guo YuMeng , Kong YuChen , Zhang GuangYe
Published: March 2024

Background

Previous studies have suggested that the gut microbiota (GM) is closely associated with the development of autoimmune cholestatic liver disease (ACLD), but limitations, such as the presence of confounding factors, have resulted in a causal relationship between the gut microbiota and autoimmune cholestatic liver disease that remains uncertain. Thus, we used two-sample Mendelian randomization as a research method to explore the causal relationship between the two.

Methods

Pooled statistics of gut microbiota from a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies conducted by the MiBioGen consortium were used as an instrumental variable for exposure factors. The Pooled statistics for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) were obtained from the R9 version of the FinnGen database (https://r9.finngen.fi/). Inverse-variance Weighted (IVW), cML-MA, MR-Egger regression, Weighted median (WME), Weighted mode (WM), and Simple mode (SM) were used to detect the association between intestinal flora and the causal relationship between intestinal flora and ACLD, in which IVW method was dominant, was assessed based on the effect indicator dominance ratio (odds ratio, OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Sensitivity analysis, heterogeneity test, gene pleiotropy test, MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier test (MR-PRESSO) were combined to verify the stability and reliability of the results. Reverse Mendelian randomization analysis was performed on gut microbiota and found to be causally associated with ACLD.

Results

The IVW results showed that the relative abundance of the genus Clostridium innocuum group, genus Butyricicoccus, and genus Erysipelatoclostridium was negatively correlated with the risk of PBC, that is, increased abundance reduced the risk of PBC and was a protective, and the relative abundance of the genus Eubacterium hallii was positively correlated with the risk of PSC, which is a risk factor for PSC. Family Clostridiaceae1 and family Lachnospiraceae were negatively correlated with the risk of PSC, which is a protective factor for PSC.

Conclusion

This study found a causal relationship between gut microbiota and ACLD. This may provide valuable insights into gut microbiota-mediated pathogenesis of ACLD. It is necessary to conduct a large-sample randomized controlled trial (RCT) at a later stage to validate the associated role of the relevant gut microbiota in the risk of ACLD development and to explore the associated mechanisms.
Genomic insights from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BRD3A isolated from Atingba, a traditional fermented rice-based beverage and analysis of its potential for probiotic and antimicrobial activity against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Huidrom Surmani , Ngashangva Ng , Khumlianlal Joshua , Sharma Kongbrailatpam Chandradev , Mukherjee Pulok Kumar , Devi Sarangthem Indira
Published: March 2024

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BRD3A was isolated from Atingba, a traditional fermented rice-based beverage of Manipur. Its genomic sequence has 13 contigs and its genome size is 3,320,817 bp with a guanine–cytosine (GC) ratio of 44.6%. It comprises 3185 genes including 3112 coding sequences (CDSs), 73 RNAs (including 66 tRNAs and others), and one clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) array. A comparative and phylogenetic analysis with the Lp. plantarum genome shows that this strain has close similarity with other Lp. plantarum strains and about 99% average nucleotide identity. Functional annotation using evolutionary genealogy of genes—non-supervised orthologous groups (EggNOG) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) reveals genes associated with various biological processes such as metabolism, genetic information processing, and transport functions. Furthermore, the strain harbors bacteriocins like plantaricin E, Plantaricin F, and Enterocin X categorized under class IIb by the BAGEL4 database, indicating its potential antimicrobial properties. Additionally, AntiSMASH web server predicted four secondary regions—T3PKS, terpene, cyclic lactone inducer, and ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide (RiPP)—suggesting an even higher antimicrobial potential. We validated the antimicrobial activity of Lp. plantarum BRD3A through in vitro experiments in which it exhibited promising bactericidal effects on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, inhibiting their biofilm growth. These findings indicate the potential of Lp. plantarum BRD3A to be used as an alternative to conventional antibiotics.
Exploration of altered miRNA expression and function in MSC-derived extracellular vesicles in response to hydatid antigen stimulation
Authors: Wang Xin , Mijiti Wubulikasimu , Jia Qiyu , Yi Zhifei , Ma Junchao , Zhou Ziyu , Xie Zengru
Published: March 2024

Background

Hydatid disease is caused by Echinococcus parasites and can affect various tissues and organs in the body. The disease is characterized by the presence of hydatid cysts, which contain specific antigens that interact with the host’s immune system. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are pluripotent stem cells that can regulate immunity through the secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing microRNAs (miRNAs).

Methods

In this study, hydatid antigens were isolated from sheep livers and mice peritoneal cavities. MSCs derived from mouse bone marrow were treated with different hydatid antigens, and EVs were isolated and characterized from the conditioned medium of MSCs. Small RNA library construction, miRNA target prediction, and differential expression analysis were conducted to identify differentially expressed miRNAs. Functional enrichment and network construction were performed to explore the biological functions of the target genes. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used for miRNA and gene expression verification, while ELISA assays quantified TNF, IL-1, IL-6, IL-4, and IL-10 levels in cell supernatants.

Results

The study successfully isolated hydatid antigens and characterized MSC-derived EVs, demonstrating the impact of antigen concentration on MSC viability. Key differentially expressed miRNAs, such as miR-146a and miR-9-5p, were identified, with functional analyses revealing significant pathways like Endocytosis and MAPK signaling associated with these miRNAs’ target genes. The miRNA-HUB gene regulatory network identified crucial miRNAs and HUB genes, such as Traf1 and Tnf, indicating roles in immune modulation and osteogenic differentiation. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis highlighted central HUB genes like Akt1 and Bcl2. ALP activity assays confirmed the influence of antigens on osteogenic differentiation, with reduced ALP activity observed. Expression analysis validated altered miRNA and chemokine expression post-antigen stimulation, with ELISA analysis showing a significant reduction in CXCL1 expression in response to antigen exposure.

Conclusion

This study provides insights into the role of MSC-derived EVs in regulating parasite immunity. The findings suggest that hydatid antigens can modulate the expression of miRNAs in MSC-derived EVs, leading to changes in chemokine expression and osteogenic capacity. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the immunomodulatory mechanisms involved in hydatid disease and provide potential therapeutic targets for the development of new treatment strategies.
Technical success, procedural safety, and efficacy of the Silk Vista Baby in the treatment of cerebral aneurysms over a mid-to-long-term follow-up
Authors: Rodríguez-Fernández Claudio , Ruiz-Garcia Pedro , Garcia-Sanchez Maria Jesús , Manrique-Zegarra Martiel , Toledano-Illán Carlos , Escartin Jorge , Vences Miguel Angel , Rubio Luis Angel , Luttich Alex , Pumar José Manuel
Published: March 2024

Background

Long-term follow-up of cerebral aneurysms treated with the Silk Vista Baby (SVB) flow diverter is lacking. This study aimed to assess the technical success, procedural safety, and efficacy of the SVB (Balt, Montmorency, France) for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms in small cerebral vessels over a mid-to long-term follow-up.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed a prospectively maintained database of patients treated with the SVB between September 2018 and June 2021. Data regarding patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, and technical procedures were also collected. Angiographic and clinical findings were recorded during the procedure and over a period of at least 12 months.

Results

Angiographic and clinical follow-up data were available for 50 patients/50 aneurysms. The procedural complication rate was 8%. At 12 months, the final results showed a technical success rate of 100%, the re rupture rate was 0%, neuromorbidity and mortality rates of 4 and 0%, respectively, and an almost complete occlusion rate of 94%.

Conclusion

Treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms with the SVB was safe and effective. Long-term results showed high rates of adequate and stable occlusions.