bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of Unique Lakes of Different Origin by Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Rasulova A. , Izmailova A.
Published: December 2022

At present, more than ever, the issue of developing criteria for selecting lakes for inclusion in the lists of protected areas, as well as assessing natural ecosystems that have undergone significant anthropogenic impact and require special attention from environmentalists, has become relevant. However, peer review of each individual ecosystem requires significant research and economic resources. Taking into account the area of Russia and the inaccessibility of some regions, it becomes almost impossible. For preliminary assessments and narrowing the search for candidates for protected areas, cameral methods can be used. One of them includes various methods for identifying anomalies in databases of morphometric, hydrochemical, hydrological, and hydrobiological characteristics of lakes. This paper discusses some machine learning methods aimed at identifying anomalous values for lakes of karst, volcanic and glacial origin. The main goal of this study is to find optimal mathematical methods for establishing the uniqueness of a particular lake ecosystem. The paper considers test samples of lakes obtained on the basis of the WORLDLAKE database. The following methods were used in the analysis: 1) local outlier factor, 2) isolated forest, and 3) one-class support vector machine. The features of the application of various methods depending on the morphometric origin of lake basins are revealed. The resulting anomalous objects were compared and then subjected to expert evaluation for their unique properties in various parameters. The expert assessment confirmed that most of the identified lakes can be considered unique, taking into account other features that characterize lake ecosystems.
Substantiation of the Directions of Technological Development of Small Livestock Farms for Further Improvement of Their Efficiency
Authors: Verdieva L. , Orujeva M. , Abdullayeva F. , Muradli G.
Published: December 2022

One of the tasks facing animal husbandry at present is to preserve and increase productivity and increase the herd in order to provide the domestic market with livestock products. The successful completion of this task primarily depends on the creation of a solid food base. This issue can be solved through the introduction of feed production technologies and the effective use of feed, regardless of natural conditions. The effective use of feed in animal feeding is possible only if they are well prepared and mixed with other components. The use of feed mixtures is aimed at expanding the use of vegetable residues and industrial additives, ensuring proper nutrition and digestibility of feed, increasing animal productivity by 10-26%, and reducing feed consumption per unit of production by 15-20%. The preparation, directly on the farm, of concentrated compound feeds based on industrial additives helps to solve several tasks simultaneously. It becomes possible to reduce the costs of transporting grain and finished feed to farms as raw materials to a feed mill, accounting for the feed base of the farm, balancing feed in accordance with the needs of animals. In the technological processes of preparing the feed mixture, the mixing operation plays an important role, which is manifested in the productivity of animals. However, this operation is energy-consuming, which affects the cost of the final product. It should also be noted that the available feed mixers do not always meet the zootechnical requirements, do not provide a feed mixture of the desired quality. The working process of small-sized plants for the production of concentrated feed is insufficiently studied and requires improvement in the direction of reducing energy consumption and improving the quality of finished products. As can be seen, the improvement of the mixing process of plants for the production of full-fledged concentrated compound feed in the direction of reducing energy consumption, improving the quality of feed mixtures is an important urgent problem in agriculture.
Factores explicativos de las redes transnacionales de producción en la Unión Europea: economías centrales vs periferias sur y este
Authors: Diaz-Mora Carmen , García López Erena
Published: December 2022

Este trabajo analiza la estrategia de fragmentación internacional de la producción y la conformación de redes transnacionales en la Unión Europea. A partir de la estimación, con diferentes técnicas, de un modelo de gravedad con datos de comercio de partes y componentes encontramos el papel protagonista que tienen las economías centrales, y en particular Alemania, en tales redes. Factores como la pertenencia a la UE, la cercanía geográfica y cultura y la calidad institucional más directamente vinculada al funcionamiento de sector empresarial favorecen el establecimiento y la intensidad de estas cadenas transnacionales de producción. Sin embargo, las diferencias económicas excesivas entre países suponen un lastre cuando se trata de los países centrales de la UE, mientras que para los países de la Periferia Sur y Este suponen un impulso, apuntando al diferente perfil de integración en redes de unas y otras economías.
Strategi Pengembangan Agroindustri Olahan Buah Pidada (Sonneratia Caseolaris) di Pulau Santen, Kabupaten Banyuwangi
Authors: Dini Nafisatul Mutmainah  , Ahmad Haris Hasanuddin Slamet  , Kirana Kusumaningrum  , Dian Kumaila Dewi
Published: December 2022

Buah mangrove atau yang dikenal dengan buah pidada memiliki potensi besar untuk dimanfaatkan sebagai berbagai produk olahan. Kandungan gizi yang cukup tinggi pada buah pidada menjadikannya memiliki nilai tambah lebih sebagai produk olahan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melakukan analisis strategi pengembangan produk olahan dari buah pidada. Data yang digunakan pada penelitian ini terdiri atas data primer dan data sekunder. Metode yang digunakan untuk merumuskan strategi pengembangan yaitu SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, dan Threats). Data primer terdiri atas pengamatan secara langsung potensi buah pidada di Pulau Santen dan data hasil wawancara dengan pihak terkait. Sementara data sekunder terdiri atas sumber-sumber penunjang dari web maupun artikel jurnal. Metode SWOT digunakan untuk menganalisis faktor internal dan eksternal dalam pengembangan produk. Berdasarkan analisis SWOT diperoleh nilai matriks Internal Factor Evaluation (IFE) sebesar 2,682 dan matriks External Factor Evaluation (EFE) diperoleh total nilai sebesar 3,000. Hal tersebut menunjukan bahwa pengembangan agroindustri olahan buah pidada memiliki potensi besar dalam pengembangannya. Sementara itu strategi yang dapat diterapkan adalah dengan intensif penetrasi pasar, pengembangan pasar, dan pengembangan produk.
Sifat Sensori dan Karakteristik Fisik Tortila Jagung
Authors: Zukryandry  , Muslihudin  , Annisa Fitri
Published: December 2022

Jagung (Zea mays) merupakan salah satu tanaman pangan yang memiliki nilai ekonomi serta potensi pengembangan karena sebagai sumber karbohidrat dan protein terpenting setelah beras. Pemanfaatan jagung dapat diperluas dengan pembuatan tepung jagung yang selanjutnya diolah menjadi produk tortila. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui formulasi tapioka yang tepat terhadap sifat sensori dan fisik tortila jagung. Penelitian ini menggunakan rancangan faktorial dengan 4 perlakuan penambahan tapioka (0%, 5%, 10%, dan 15%) dengan 3 kali ulangan. Pengujian yang dilakukan meliputi uji hedonik (warna, rasa, aroma, dan tekstur) dan uji fisik (tingkat kekerasan dan volume pengembangan) produk tortila yang dihasilkan. Uji sensori menunjukkan dengan konsentrasi tapioka 15% paling diminati oleh panelis dari segi tekstur. Formulasi tepung tapioka pada tortila menunjukkan peningkatan nilai kekerasan senilai 0,50 kg/cm2 (0%), 0,52 kg/cm2 (5%), 0,53 kg/cm2 (10%) dan 0,54 kg/cm2 (15%). Tortila jagung dengan formulasi tapioka mempengaruhi persentase volume pengembangan, semakin besar persentase tapioka maka volume pengembangan tortila jagung akan semakin besar dengan pengembangan 153% (0%) sampai dengan 217% (15%).
Pemeriksaan Inspeksi Visual Asetat (IVA) dan Pendidikan Kesehatan Kanker Serviks Guna Meningkatkan Pengetahuan Kesehatan Reproduksi pada Pasangan Usia Subur
Authors: Kaparang Mercy Joice , Dewie Artika
Published: December 2022

Kanker serviks atau kanker leher rahim merupakan penyebab kematian akibat kanker yang menempati posisi kedua terbesar bagi perempuan didunia. cakupan deteksi dini kanker leher rahim dengan metode IVA di Kota Palu tahun 2019 sebesar 7,5% yang telah mencapai target cakupan Indonesia sebesar 7,34%, namun masih perlu adanya peningkatan capaian agar semua wanita usia subur memperoleh pemeriksaan IVA. Tujuan kegiatan meningkatkan pengetahuan Wanita Usia Subur (WUS) tentang kanker serviks sehingga meningkat pula kesadaran melakukan pemeriksaan Dini terjadinya Kanker serviks dan dapat menjaga kesehatan reproduksi. Metode yang digunakan merupakan penyuluhan mengenani kaker serviks, pemeriksaan IVA test bagi yang bersedia, evaluasi jika hasil test negatif dilakukan pembinaan dan jika hasilnya positif akan dirujuk ke fasilitas kesehatan untuk pemeriksaan lebih lanjut. Sasaran yaitu wanita usia subur yang tinggal disekitar Pondok Pesentren Hidayatullah Tondo sebanyak 10 responden. Hasil kegiatan ini menunjukkan terdapat 10 responden WUS yang bersedia mendaftarkan diri untuk melakukan pemeriksaan IVA test di Puskesmas, dari 100% responden yang hadir didapatkan hasil pemeriksaan IVA test negatif. Kesimpulan dalam kegiatan ini yaitu mendeteksi kanker leher Rahim dengan melakukan pemeriksaan IVA Test tercapai. Berdasarkan hasil kegiatan ini menyarankan agar tidak hanya ditujukan bagi wanita usia subur tetapi bagi seluruh masyarakat untuk lebih aktif dalam kegiatan pencegahan penyakit dengan mengikuti penyuluhan dan pemeriksaan IVA Test, selanjutnya dapat menyampaikan pengetahuan dan pengalamannya kepada wanita usia subur lain sehingga dapat menambah motivasi untuk melakukan pemeriksaan IVA test.
Upaya Peningkatan Status Gizi Balita yang Mengalami Stunting dengan Pelatihan Kreasi Menu Seimbang atau Bergizi
Authors: Muhsinin Siti Zuraida , Hidayati Nurul , Ningsih Ade Irma Fitria , Sulastien Herni , Al-Khuzaifi Abdul Rahman
Published: December 2022

The result of the preliminary study in Apit Aik hamlet has found that the 7 toddlers have stunted problems and from the anamnesis the study has found that mothers lack knowledge about how to fulfill the balanced nutrition for toddlers. As a health institution, the faculty of health sciences tried to participate in efforts to reduce stunting rates by conducting counseling activities and training in the manufacture of complementary feeding foods. The purpose of this community service activity is to help mothers with stunted children understand what stunting is, balanced/nutritious nutrition, and can make processed complementary foods for their toddlers. The location of this community service activity is Apit Aik hamlet, Gunung sari District, West Lombok, and West Nusa Tenggara. The target is mothers with stunting children, the 7 people in total. In the process of activities, the methods were used lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and also by giving leaflets to participants. Before and after the activities, the participants have given a questionnaire to evaluate the material provided. The progress of the community service activity evaluation showed an increase in participants' learning from the lack level of the 4 people, 57.1% to the level of good knowledge of the 6 people or 85.7%. Based on the result, it is significant to carry out similar activities followed by an evaluation of the nutritional status of children under five with stunting.
ABSTRAK
Hasil studi pendahuluan di dusun Apit Aik ditemukan 7 orang batita mengalami stunting dan dari anamnesis didapatkan adanya pengetahuan yang kurang pada ibu tentang bagaimana pemenuhan nutrisi seimbang pada balita. Sebagai institusi kesehatan, fakultas ilmu kesehatan berusaha ikut berpartisipasi dalam upaya menurunkan angka stunting, dengan melakukan kegiatan penyuluhan dan pelatihan pembuatan makanan MP-ASI. Tujuan kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat ini adalah membantu ibu dengan anak stunting untuk memahami apa itu stunting, gizi seimbang/bergizi serta dapat membuat olahan makanan bergizi MP-ASI untuk balita mereka. Kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat ini berlokasi di dusun Apit Aik, Kecamatan Gunungsari, Lombok Barat, Nusa Tenggara Barat. Sasarannya adalah ibu dengan anak stunting yang berjumlah 7 orang. Dalam proses kegiatan metode yang digunakan adalah ceramah, diskusi dan demonstrasi, serta pemberian leaflet pada peserta. Sebelum dan setelah kegiatan peserta diberikan kuesioner untuk dapat mengevaluasi materi yang diberikan. Hasil evaluasi memperlihatkan terjadi peningkatan pengetahuan peserta dari tingkat pengetahuan yang kurang sebanyak 4 orang atau 57.1% menjadi tingkat pengetahuan baik sebanyak 6 orang atau 85,7%. Berdasarkan hal tersebut diatas penting untuk dilakukan kegiatan serupa dengan diikuti evaluasi pada status gizi balita dengan stunting.
A mini-review: Advances in plant-derived extracellular vesicles as nano-delivery systems for tumour therapy
Authors: Zhu Ying , Zhou Xiaona , Yao Zheng
Published: December 2022

Extracellular vesicles are functionally active, nanoscale, membrane-bound vesicles that can be secreted by all cells. They have a key role in most health and disease states and have gradually become a promising class of delivery vehicles for targeted therapies for a variety of diseases. Plant-derived extracellular vesicles have received increasing attention based on their easy availability, non-toxicity and high absorption. However, compared with mammalian extracellular vesicles, the role of these nanoparticles as nano-delivery systems in tumour therapy has been underestimated. In this paper, the application of plant-derived extracellular vesicles and their nano-derivatives as nano-delivery systems in tumour therapy is reviewed to illustrate their great application potential.
Genetically unresolved case of Rauch-Steindl syndrome diagnosed by its wolf-hirschhorn associated DNA methylation episignature
Authors: McConkey Haley , White-Brown Alexandre , Kerkhof Jennifer , Dyment David , Sadikovic Bekim
Published: December 2022

Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS) is caused by deletion of a critical region of the short arm of chromosome 4. Clinical features of WHS include distinct dysmorphic facial features, growth restriction, developmental delay, intellectual disability, epilepsy, and other malformations. TheNSD2gene localizes within this critical region along with several other genes. Pathogenic variants inNSD2cause Rauch-Steindl (RAUST) syndrome. Clinical features of RAUST syndrome partially overlap with WHS, however epilepsy and the recognizable facial gestalt are not observed. Here, we report a case of a young boy who presented with developmental delay, dysmorphic features and short stature. After negative chromosomal microarray and whole exome sequencing, genomic DNA methylation episignature analysis was performed. Episignatures are sensitive and specific genome-wide DNA methylation patterns associated with a growing number of rare disorders. The patient was positive for the WHS episignature. Reanalysis of the patient’s exome data identified a previously undetected frameshift variant inNSD2, leading to a diagnosis of RAUST. This report demonstrates the clinical utility of DNA methylation episignature analysis for unresolved patients, and provides insight into the overlapping pathology between WHS and RAUST as demonstrated by the similarities in their genomic DNA methylation profiles.
Screening and diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer based on rapid metabolic fingerprinting by conductive polymer spray ionization mass spectrometry and machine learning
Authors: Song Yaoyao , Zhang Yan , Xie Songhai , Song Xiaowei
Published: December 2022

We present the use of conductive spray polymer ionization mass spectrometry (CPSI-MS) combined with machine learning (ML) to rapidly gain the metabolic fingerprint from 1 μl liquid extraction from the biopsied tissue of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in China. The 76 discriminative metabolite markers are verified at the primary carcinoma site and can also be successfully tracked in the serum. The Lasso classifier featured with 15- and 22-metabolites detected by CPSI-MS achieve a sensitivity of 88.8% for rapid serum screening and a specificity of 91.1% for tissue diagnosis, respectively. Finally, the expression levels of their corresponding upstream enzymes and transporters have been initially confirmed. In general, CPSI-MS/ML serves as a cost-effective tool for the rapid screening, diagnosis, and precise characterization for the TNBC metabolism reprogramming in the clinical practice.
Nuclear quantum effects in fullerene–fullerene aggregation in water
Authors: Panahian Jand Sara , Nourbakhsh Zahra , Delle Site Luigi
Published: December 2022

We studied the effects of the quantum delocalization in space of the hydrogen atoms of water in the aggregation process of two fullerene molecules. We considered a case using a purely repulsive water–fullerene interaction, as such a situation has shown that water-mediated effects play a key role in the aggregation process. This study becomes feasible, at a reduced computational price, by combining the path integral (PI) molecular dynamics (MD) method with a recently developed open-system MD technique. Specifically, only the mandatory solvation shell of the two fullerene molecules was considered at full quantum resolution, while the rest of the system was represented as a mean-field macroscopic reservoir of particles and energy. Our results showed that the quantum nature of the hydrogen atoms leads to a sizable difference in the curve of the free energy of aggregation; that is, that nuclear quantum effects play a relevant role.
Deep learning automates detection of wall motion abnormalities via measurement of longitudinal strain from ECG-gated CT images
Authors: Li Hui , Chen Zhennong , Kahn Andrew M. , Kligerman Seth , Narayan Hari K. , Contijoch Francisco J.
Published: December 2022

Introduction

4D cardiac CT (cineCT) is increasingly used to evaluate cardiac dynamics. While echocardiography and CMR have demonstrated the utility of longitudinal strain (LS) measures, measuring LS from cineCT currently requires reformatting the 4D dataset into long-axis imaging planes and delineating the endocardial boundary across time. In this work, we demonstrate the ability of a recently published deep learning framework to automatically and accurately measure LS for detection of wall motion abnormalities (WMA).

Methods

One hundred clinical cineCT studies were evaluated by three experienced cardiac CT readers to identify whether each AHA segment had a WMA. Fifty cases were used for method development and an independent group of 50 were used for testing. A previously developed convolutional neural network was used to automatically segment the LV bloodpool and to define the 2, 3, and 4 CH long-axis imaging planes. LS was measured as the perimeter of the bloodpool for each long-axis plane. Two smoothing approaches were developed to avoid artifacts due to papillary muscle insertion and texture of the endocardial surface. The impact of the smoothing was evaluated by comparison of LS estimates to LV ejection fraction and the fractional area change of the corresponding view.

Results

The automated, DL approach successfully analyzed 48/50 patients in the training cohort and 47/50 in the testing cohort. The optimal LS cutoff for identification of WMA was −21.8, −15.4, and −16.6% for the 2-, 3-, and 4-CH views in the training cohort. This led to correct labeling of 85, 85, and 83% of 2-, 3-, and 4-CH views, respectively, in the testing cohort. Per-study accuracy was 83% (84% sensitivity and 82% specificity). Smoothing significantly improved agreement between LS and fractional area change (R2: 2 CH = 0.38 vs. 0.89 vs. 0.92).

Conclusion

Automated LV blood pool segmentation and long-axis plane delineation via deep learning enables automatic LS assessment. LS values accurately identify regional wall motion abnormalities and may be used to complement standard visual assessments.
Application of ultrasound in cardiovascular intervention via the distal radial artery approach: New wine in old bottles?
Authors: Chen Tao , Yu Xiaolong , Song Ruixiao , Li Lamei , Cai Gaojun
Published: December 2022

The distal radial artery (DRA) approach has emerged as a new approach in cardiovascular intervention. In recent years, ultrasound has been widely used in cardiovascular intervention via the DRA approach. This article systematically discusses the progress of ultrasound in the preoperative vascular assessment, intraoperative guided puncture and postoperative observation of complications via the DRA approach.
Non-specific electrocardiographic ST-T abnormalities predict mortality in patients on peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Zhan Xiaojiang , Zeng Chuanfei , He Jiajing , Wang Menghui , Xiao Jun
Published: December 2022

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of non-specific ST-segment and/or T-wave abnormalities in electrocardiography (ECG) for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality (CVM) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

Methods

All patients who started PD between November 1, 2005, and February 28, 2017, at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were enrolled. The primary outcomes were all-cause mortality and CVM. The Kaplan–Meier method and a log-rank test were used for the survival analysis. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate the risk factors for all-cause mortality and CVM.

Results

A total of 724 eligible PD patients were enrolled, including 401 (55.4%) men. In total, 153 (21.1%) patients died during a mean follow-up period of 27 (interquartile range, 13–41) months, and cardiovascular death was responsible for 84 of these deaths. The patients with non-specific ST-T abnormalities (NSSTTAs) had lower overall and cardiovascular survival rates compared to those free from any ECG abnormalities. According to the multivariate Cox proportional hazards models, (NSSTTAs) are independent risk factors for all-cause mortality and CVM, the hazard ratios are 1.81 (95% confidence interval, 1.11–2.95; p = 0.017) and 2.86 (95% confidence interval, 1.52–5.37; p = 0.001), respectively.

Conclusion

Non-specific ST-T abnormalities can serve as risk markers of all-cause and CVM in PD patients.
Patient-specific fluid simulation of transcatheter mitral valve replacement in mitral annulus calcification
Authors: Hill Samuel Joseph , Young Alistair , Prendergast Bernard , Redwood Simon , Rajani Ronak , De Vecchi Adelaide
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Transcatheter mitral valve replacement is a promising alternative to open-heart surgery in elderly patients. Patients with severe mitral annulus calcification (MAC) are a particularly high-risk population, where postprocedural complications can have catastrophic effects. Amongst these, obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract can lead to ventricular hypertrophic remodeling and subsequent heart failure, while subclinical valve thrombosis can result in early bioprosthetic valve failure.

Methods

To elucidate the mechanisms of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and valve thrombosis following valve-in-MAC procedures, we used image processing and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software to generate patient- and device-specific models based on preprocedural CT data. Personalized computer simulations were performed to predict the left ventricular haemodynamics after implantation in three patients with severe MAC.

Results

The simulations have successfully captured the increased pressure gradient in the left ventricular outflow tract as a result of the partial obstruction due to the implanted valve. Regions of wall shear stress above the threshold value for platelet activation were also observed on the bioprosthetic frame as a result of the reduced outflow tract area, which led to increases in flow resistance and blood residence time inside the ventricle. Consistent with these findings, areas of slow recirculating flow and blood stasis formed near the valve frame, creating potential pro-thrombotic conditions.

Discussion

This study provides insight into the relationship between size and shape of the outflow tract post-implantation, pressure gradients and pro-thrombotic flow metrics such as wall shear stress and blood residence time. Results show the potential of CFD modeling to bring key functional metrics into preprocedural assessment for a comprehensive evaluation of post-procedural risks beyond anatomical factors. Following further validation and extension to the atrial chamber, this approach can provide an in-depth analysis of the likelihood of valvular thrombosis.
The production of laboratory scientists: Negotiating membership and (re)producing culture
Authors: Zhang Yifan
Published: December 2022

This ethnographic work is about the recruitment and enculturation of novice scientists in the laboratory. Interviews and participant observation were conducted in a biochemistry research lab at a small liberal arts college. I take a predominantly interpretive approach and ask the question of how novice scientists make sense of their decisions and behaviors as they gain membership into the laboratory and the community of scientists. Revising the value-neutral and the structure-centered depiction of science, I represent novice scientists as agents who are subjected to their sociohistorical positionalities but also who consciously maneuver with purpose and agenda. Novice scientists’ attempts to strategize and negotiate access to resources are epitomized by the culture of cold emailing. Additionally, I elucidate a process of how prospective medical students later gravitate to careers in science. While many initially anticipate a career in medicine, high retention in science has been observed when quality mentorship, friendly workplace culture, and supportive family members are present. I also present episodes of normative, value-laden practices—and how novices engage with them—to capture the cosmology of scientists. I make the interpretation that the becoming of scientists is a rite of passage facilitated by behavioral habituation and values imprinting,viawhich cultural norms are transmitted and reproduced.
The effect of total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio on mortality risk in the general population
Authors: Zhou Dan , Liu Xiaocong , Lo Kenneth , Huang Yuqing , Feng Yingqing
Published: December 2022

Background

The relationship between the total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL-C) ratio and all−cause and cardiovascular mortality has not been elucidated. Herein, we intend to probe the effect of the TC/HDL-C ratio on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in the general population.

Methods

From the 1999–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), a total of 32,405 health participants aged ≥18 years were included. The TC/HDL-C levels were divided into five groups: Q1: <2.86, Q2: 2.86–3.46, Q3: 3.46–4.12, Q4: 4.12–5.07, Q5: >5.07. Multivariate Cox regression models were used to explore the relationship between the TC/HDL-C ratio and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Two−piecewise linear regression models and restricted cubic spline regression were used to explore nonlinear and irregularly shaped relationships. Kaplan–Meier survival curve and subgroup analyses were conducted.

Results

The population comprised 15,675 men and 16,730 women with a mean age of 43 years. During a median follow-up of 98 months (8.1 years), 2,859 mortality cases were recorded. The TC/HDL-C ratio and all-cause mortality showed a nonlinear association after adjusting for confounding variables in the restricted cubic spline analysis. Hazard ratios (HRs) of all-cause mortality were particularly positively related to the level of TC/HDL-C ratio in the higher range >5.07 and in the lower range <2.86 (HR 1.26; 95% CI 1.10, 1.45; HR 1.18; 95% CI 1.00, 1.38, respectively), although the HRs of cardiovascular disease mortality showed no difference among the five groups. In the two-piecewise linear regression model, a TC/HDL-C ratio range of ≥4.22 was positively correlated with cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.13; 95% CI 1.02, 1.25). In the subgroup analysis, a nonlinear association between TC/HDL-C and all-cause mortality was found in those aged <65 years, men, and the no lipid drug treatment population

Conclusion

A nonlinear association between the TC/HDL-C ratio and all-cause mortality was found, indicating that a too-low or too-high TC/HDL-C ratio might increase all-cause mortality. However, for cardiovascular mortality, it does not seem so. The cutoff value was 4.22. The individuals had higher cardiovascular mortality with a TC/HDL-C ratio >4.22.
Comparison of different insulin resistance surrogates to predict hyperuricemia among U.S. non-diabetic adults
Authors: Wang Hao , Zhang Jia , Pu Yuzhu , Qin Shengmei , Liu Huan , Tian Yongming , Tang Zhihong
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Although it has been well-acknowledged that insulin resistance (IR) plays a critical role in the development of hyperuricemia (HU), specific relationship between IR and HU in non-diabetic patients remains rarely studied, and there is still no large-scale research regarding this issue. This study aims to explore the association between triglyceride glucose (TyG), TyG with body mass index (TyG-BMI), the ratio of triglycerides divided by high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C), metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR), and the risk of HU in non-diabetic patients in The United States of America.

Patients and methods

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) enrolling a representative population aged ≥18-year-old were included to calculate these four indexes. Logistic regression analysis was applied to describe their associations and calculate odds ratios (OR) while the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve was utilized to assess the prediction ability of these four indexes.

Results

A total of 7,743 people (3,806 males and 3,937 females, mean age: 45.17 ± 17.10 years old) were included in this study, among whom 32.18% suffered from HU. After adjustment for sex, age, ethnicity, education background, smoking status, drinking status, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), metabolic equivalent values (METs), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and estimated glomerular filtration rate, it showed that all four indexes were closely related to HU. Compared with the lowest quartile, OR of the highest quartile of these four indicators for HU were as following respectively: TyG: 5.61 (95% CI: 4.29–7.32); TyG-BMI: 7.15 (95% CI: 5.56–9.20); TG/HDL-C: 4.42 (95% CI: 3.49–5.60); METS-IR: 7.84 (95% CI: 6.07–10.13). TyG, TyG-BMI, TG/HDL-C and METS-IR had moderate discrimination ability for HU, with an AUC value of 0.66 (95% CI: 0.65–0.68), 0.67 (95% CI: 0.65-0.68), 0.68 (95% CI: 0.67-0.69) and 0.68 (95% CI: 0.66–0.69) respectively. Each index showed better prediction ability for HU risk in females than in males.

Conclusion

It was found that the risk of HU was positively associated with the elevation of TyG, TyG-BMI, TG/HDL-C and METS-IR in a large-scale population of U.S., and TyG-BMI and METS-IR have a better ability to identify HU in both genders.
Understanding gut-liver axis nitrogen metabolism in Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Delgado Teresa C. , de las Heras Javier , Martínez-Chantar María L.
Published: December 2022

The homeostasis of the most important nitrogen-containing intermediates, ammonia and glutamine, is a tightly regulated process in which the gut-liver axis plays a central role. Several studies revealed that nitrogen metabolism is altered in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD), a consensus-driven novel nomenclature for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Both increased ammonia production by gut microbiota and decreased ammonia hepatic removal due to impaired hepatic urea cycle activity or disrupted glutamine synthetase activity may contribute to hepatic ammonia accumulation underlying steatosis, which can eventually progress to hyperammonemia in more advanced stages of steatohepatitis and overt liver fibrosis. Furthermore, our group recently showed that augmented hepatic ammoniagenesis via increased glutaminase activity and overexpression of the high activity glutaminase 1 isoenzyme occurs in Fatty Liver Disease. Overall, the improved knowledge of disrupted nitrogen metabolism and metabolic miscommunication between the gut and the liver suggests that the reestablishment of altered gut-liver axis nitrogenous balance is an appealing and attractive therapeutic approach to tackle Fatty Liver Disease, a growing and unmet health problem.
Mid-century change analysis of temperature and precipitation maxima in the Swat River Basin, Pakistan
Authors: Ali Waqar , Hashmi Muhammad Zia , Jamil Asma , Rasheed Sajida , Akbar Saima , Iqbal Hamid
Published: December 2022

This study analyzes trends in historical (1989–2018) and projected (2041–2060) temperature and precipitation maxima in the Swat River Basin, Pakistan. This basin has a history of climate-related disasters that directly affected livelihood and personal safety in local communities and are becoming more intense and more frequent due to changing climate. Major economic sources of this basin are agriculture and tourism, both highly sensitive to extreme climate events. Therefore, it is very important to assess future trends in extremes of temperature and precipitation. Non-parametric tests were employed for currently acquired data, while future projections were assessed using the statistical downscaling model (SDSM) with CanESM2 GCM under three scenarios: representative concentration pathways (RCPs) of 2.6, 4.5, and 8.5. The R2 value between monthly observed and simulated temperatures varied from 0.82 to 0.91 and 0.92 to 0.96 for training and confirmation periods, respectively. For areal precipitation, an R2 value of 0.49 was noted for calibration and 0.35 for validation. Observed temperatures showed a decreasing trend at all stations except Saidu Sharif, but the differences were not significant. Precipitation showed an increasing trend at two stations, Kalam and Malam Jabba, and a decreasing trend at two other stations, Dir and Saidu Sharif. A >2°C rise was noted for the annual projected maximum temperature (2041–2060) at areal and Dir, while Kalam, Malam Jabba, and Saidu Sharif showed a 1°C rise. For precipitation, an approximately 12% increase in annual maximum (areal) and seasonal precipitation (summer and autumn) was seen under all scenarios except RCP 4.5 in which there was a 20% and 32% increase in summer and autumn, respectively. The performance of SDSM in simulating maximum temperature and precipitation was satisfactory.
Effects of warming and litter positions on litter decomposition in a boreal peatland
Authors: Ma Guobao , Wang Xianwei , Sun Xiaoxin , Wang Shujie , Du Yu , Jiang Jingyi
Published: December 2022

Litter decomposition is an important source of carbon accumulation in the permafrost peatlands. Climate warming has led to shrub expansions and accelerated litter mixing with soils and fluctuations in the water table. However, little is known about how changes in the position of the litter will affect litter decomposition under climate warming. To reveal the mechanisms of response of the location of litter in the soil and climate warming to litter decomposition in permafrost peatlands. Here, we selected the evergreen shrub,Chamaedaphne calyculata, and the deciduous shrub,Vaccinium uliginosum, from the permafrost peatlands of the Greater Hing’an Mountains, China. The leaf litter was placed on the soil surface (no-mixing) and mixed with the soil (soil-litter mixing), and then it was incubated for 124 days at 15°C (control) and 20°C (warming). Our results showed that warming significantly increased the CO2emission rates ofC. calyculataandV. uliginosumby 19.9 and 17.4%, respectively. When compared to no-mixing, the CO2emission rates were reduced (not significantly) by 1.5 (C. calyculata) and increased 13.6% (V. uliginosum) with soil-litter mixing. Interestingly, soil-litter mixing suppressed the positive effect of warming on the CO2emission rates relative to no-mixing, and the suppressing effects in theV. uliginosumsubplot were stronger than those in theC. calyculatasubplot. Specifically, warming significantly increased the CO2emissions ofC. calyculataby 27.4% under no-mixing but the increase decreased to 13.1% under soil-litter mixing. Similarly, warming induced significant increases in the CO2emissions ofV. uliginosum, with an increase of 38.8% under no-mixing but non-significant increases (1.9%) were observed under soil-litter mixing. The combination of the enzyme activities of β-1,4-glucosidase, β-1,4-xylosidase and β-D-1,4-cellobiosidase and laccase and phenolics explained more than 60.0% of the variability in the CO2emissions ofC. calyculataandV. uliginosum, respectively. Our study highlights the importance of litter positions in mediating the responses of litter decomposition to climate warming and shrub expansions in the northern peatlands.
Restoring bigcone Douglas-fir post-fire in drought-stricken Southern California: Assessing the effects of site choice and outplanting strategies
Authors: Runte Gabriel C. , Oono Ryoko , Molinari Nicole A. , Proulx Stephen R. , D’Antonio Carla M.
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Forest restoration is a powerful tool to combat the dual threats of drought and fire, both of which have been increasing in frequency and severity in recent years in the Western United States. The hard-hit region of Southern California is home to the endemic bigcone Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga macrocarpa (Vasey), whose abundance and range have been impacted by multiple large fires within the last two decades.

Methods

To better understand the ecology of these trees, and thereby improve the potential for restoration in light of predicted future conditions, we outplanted 1,728 seedlings into burned areas with varying levels of pre-planting fire severity and proximity to water (near canyon bottom and upslope). Within each planting area, seedlings were planted into one of four microhabitats; under conspecifics, under the codominant oak species [Quercus chrysolepis (Liebm)], in the open (no woody canopy), or in the open within a microsite feature such as a log, rock or a small shaded hole. At each site and within each microhabitat, half the seedlings were treated with oak-soil amendments (soil from under the oak) and half with spring watering (4 months after planting). To better understand the influence of outplanting conditions, we tracked the survival of the seedlings over the next two years.

Results and discussion

Short-term (March to June) survivorship following planting was quite high and the most significant die-off of seedlings occurred during the first dry season (June to November) despite strong droughts in the second and third dry seasons. Overall, only 7.3% (127 of 1,728) of seedlings survived. Seedling success depended strongly on the microhabitat and summer watering, though not in necessarily intuitive ways. Seedlings that received supplemental water during the first summer did worse than unwatered seedlings. The most successful microhabitats for planting were open sites with microsite features and sites underneath canyon live oak, while sites under mature bigcone Douglas-firs had the lowest rates of survival. Position on the slope had no effect on outcomes and soil amendment had a weak negative effect on seedling survival.
Essential immune functions of fibroblasts in innate host defense
Authors: Cavagnero Kellen J. , Gallo Richard L.
Published: December 2022

The term fibroblast has been used generally to describe spindle-shaped stromal cells of mesenchymal origin that produce extracellular matrix, establish tissue structure, and form scar. Current evidence has found that cells with this morphology are highly heterogeneous with some fibroblastic cells actively participating in both innate and adaptive immune defense. Detailed analysis of barrier tissues such as skin, gut, and lung now show that some fibroblasts directly sense pathogens and other danger signals to elicit host defense functions including antimicrobial activity, leukocyte recruitment, and production of cytokines and lipid mediators relevant to inflammation and immunosuppression. This review will synthesize current literature focused on the innate immune functions performed by fibroblasts at barrier tissues to highlight the previously unappreciated importance of these cells in immunity.
Mucosa associated invariant T and natural killer cells in active and budesonide treated collagenous colitis patients
Authors: Daferera Niki , Nyström Sofia , Hjortswang Henrik , Ignatova Simone , Jenmalm Maria C. , Ström Magnus , Münch Andreas
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Collagenous colitis (CC) is an inflammatory bowel disease, which usually responds to budesonide treatment. Our aim was to study the immunological background of the disease.

Methods

Analyses of peripheral and mucosal MAIT (mucosa associated invariant T cells) and NK (natural killer) cells were performed with flow cytometry. Numbers of mucosal cells were calculated using immunohistochemistry. We studied the same patients with active untreated CC (au-CC) and again while in remission on budesonide treatment. Budesonide refractory patients and healthy controls were also included. The memory marker CD45R0 and activation marker CD154 and CD69 were used to further study the cells. Finally B cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were also analysed.

Results

The percentages of circulating CD56dimCD16+ NK cells as well as MAIT cells (CD3+TCRVa7.2+CD161+) were decreased in au-CC compared to healthy controls. This difference was not seen in the mucosa; where we instead found increased numbers of mucosal CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells in au-CC. Mucosal immune cell numbers were not affected by budesonide treatment. In refractory CC we found increased mucosal numbers of MAIT cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells compared to au-CC.

Discussion

Patients with active collagenous colitis have lower percentages of circulating MAIT and NK cells. However, there was no change of these cells in the colonic mucosa. Most mucosal cell populations were increased in budesonide refractory as compared to au-CC patients, particularly the number of MAIT cells. This may indicate that T cell targeting therapy could be an alternative in budesonide refractory CC.
A degree-day model for forecasting adult phenology of Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in a temperate climate
Authors: Ebbenga Dominique N. , Hanson A. A. , Burkness E. C. , Hutchison W. D.
Published: December 2022

Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica (Newman), was first detected in the United States in New Jersey in 1916. The beetle gradually spread to the Midwest U.S. region, and was first confirmed in Minnesota in the late 1960’s. Popillia japonica has subsequently become a major invasive insect pest in turfgrass and several agricultural crops. As P. japonica continues to spread throughout the U.S., and other countries, it is important to develop efficient ways to monitor adult populations, and where possible, forecast the phenology of adult population dynamics. During 2019-2021, field trials were conducted to develop a degree-day model that can be used to forecast P. japonica adult phenology under Minnesota, and Midwest summer climatic conditions in. We used commercially available traps and lures to monitor adult flight phenology, specifically beetle trap-catch, along with weather data at four locations in Minnesota, to relate ambient field temperatures to population phenology. The concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), an index of both precision and accuracy, was used to develop a final degree-day model. Model development included evaluation of simple and sine-wave degree-day calculation methods, start dates between 1 Jan. and 1 April, and a range of lower (0-15 °C) and upper (20-37 °C) thresholds. The optimum model was found to be a simple degree-day calculation, using a biofix date of 1 Jan, and lower and upper thresholds of 15 and 21.7 °C, respectively, for predicting 10% beetle trap-catch. The model will aid in future integrated pest management (IPM) and regulatory strategies by providing a tool for prediction of P. japonica adult flight phenology.
Observation of a mesoscale warm eddy impacts acoustic propagation in the slope of the South China Sea
Authors: Chen Wen , Zhang Yongchui , Liu Yuyao , Wu Yanqun , Zhang Yun , Ren Kaijun
Published: December 2022

Acoustic rays are modified while propagating through oceanic eddies. However, due to the lack of field synchronous observation, the impact of mesoscale eddy on the acoustic propagation is less clarified. To address the issue, an eddy-acoustic synchronous observation (EASO) field experiment for a mesoscale warm eddy was carried out in the slope of the South China Sea (SCS) in October, 2021. During the field experiment, a total of 105 conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) stations, as well as a zonal acoustic survey line through the center of the warm eddy, were obtained. The vertical structures of temperature and salinity indicate that the warm eddy is surface-intensified with temperature and salinity cores confined within depths from 70 m to 200 m and 10 m to 70 m, respectively. The acoustic observation shows two obvious convergency zones (CZs) at about 39 km and 92 km in the eastern half acoustic line, and one convergency zones (CZ) at about 25 km in the western half acoustic line. By comparing with the none eddy circumstance, the respective impacts of the topography and warm eddy are quantitatively analyzed with a ray-tracing model. The results indicate that the topography shortens the horizontal span of the CZ by 11.4 km, while the warm eddy lengthens it by 1.7 km. Additionally, the warm eddy shallows the depth and broadens the width of the CZ by 32 m and 1.4 km, respectively. The anisotropy of 3D sound fields jointly influenced by the warm eddy and the local topography show that the distance differences of the first CZs in different horizontal directions can be as long as 31 km.
Characteristics of Eulerian mesoscale eddies in the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Zhu Yingli , Liang Xinfeng
Published: December 2022

Although numerous studies on Eulerian mesoscale eddies with closed contours of sea surface height (SSH) or streamline have been conducted in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), a comprehensive study on their temporal and spatial characteristics is still lacking. In this study, we combine three eddy detection algorithms to detect Eulerian eddies from the 26-year SSH record in the GoM and examine their characteristics. We find distinct characteristics between Loop Current Eddies (LCEs), Loop Current Frontal Eddies (LCFEs), and mesoscale eddies that are not directly related to the Loop Current (LC). Many characteristics of LCEs and LCFEs in the eastern GoM are closely related to the LC. More LCFEs are formed in January to July than in August to December, likely related to the seasonal variation of the northward penetration of the LC. However, the formation of non-LCFE cyclonic eddies shows a biannual variability, which could be linked to the position and strength of the background current in the western GoM. Nevertheless, the seasonal variability of the Eulerian eddies shows large uncertainties (not significant at the 95% confidence level). Low-frequency (interannual to multidecadal) variability is also detected. In the eastern GoM, the extent of northward penetration of the LC can affect the generation of LCFEs and result in low-frequency variations. In the western GoM, the low-frequency variability of eddy occurrence and amplitude could be related to the surface circulation strength.