bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical and experimental simulation of unconventional reservoir formation for carboniferous in hudson oilfield, Tarim Basin, China
Authors: Yan Lingling , Song Yuehai
Published: November 2024

This study delves into the formation mechanisms of unconventional oil reservoirs located within the Carboniferous strata of the geologically intricate Hudson Oilfield, situated in the Tarim Basin, integrating extensive geological survey data with a sophisticated, physically simulated cross-sectional model specifically constructed for this study. This integrated approach enables a detailed examination of the distribution of interlayers and their profound effects on reservoir heterogeneity, as well as the non-equilibrium dynamics at the oil-water interface. Key findings reveal that randomly distributed calcareous interlayers significantly increase reservoir compartmentalization, raising heterogeneity indices by 30%, while oil-water interface inclinations exceeding 100 m were observed in 20% of the studied reservoirs, along with lateral hydrocarbon reversals, challenging traditional knowledge. Variations in porosity and permeability have led to a 45% discrepancy in estimations of recoverable reserves, underscoring the complexity of these systems. Advanced simulation techniques have improved the accuracy of predicting unconventional reservoir characteristics by 25% over conventional geological methods, highlighting the importance of incorporating reservoir instability and the complexity of interlayer structures into the analysis of unconventional hydrocarbon systems. These findings significantly advance our understanding of Carboniferous unconventional reservoir evolution, offering new perspectives on the role of these factors and informing more effective exploration strategies and enhanced efficiency in hydrocarbon recovery processes.
Identification of key genes and immune infiltration of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in mice and humans based on bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Zhang Yumin , Zhou Hui , Liu Juan , Zhou Nan
Published: November 2024

Background

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common chronic complication of diabetes, while the underlying molecular mechanisms are still unclear. The aim of this study was to screen the key genes and the roles of immune infiltration in DPN using bioinformatics analysis.

Methods

DPN mice datasets including GSE222778, GSE11343, GSE70852, GSE27382, and GSE34889 were retrieved from the GEO database. Data of human DPN were retrieved from the dbGaP. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were selected and further analyzed by using Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) to find the shared key pathway. Protein–protein interaction networks were built in shared mouse and human DEGs. The hub genes were selected and verified in vitro using high- glucose-treated PC12 cells and Schwann cells. The single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA) algorithm was used to analyze the proportions of infiltrating immune cells in human DPN and the subsequent correlations with hub genes.

Results

A total of 323 mouse DEGs and 501 human DEGs were selected, and they were found significantly enriched in immune-related biological functions and pathways. A total of 13 DEGs were found shared in mice and human DPN datasets, and among them, there were 7 hub genes, namely, PLAUR, S100A8, IL7R, CXCL13, SRPX2, CD300LB, and CFI. The expression of Cfi, S100a8, Cxcl13, and Cd300lb was consistently confirmed in vitro. The scores of neutrophils and NK CD56bright cells varied most significantly by immune cell infiltration analysis (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the selected hub genes were found to be highly correlated with the immune infiltration.

Conclusion

Our study indicated the importance of immune dysregulations in DPN and identified several hub genes through combined analysis in mice and human DPN samples, thus providing potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets in the future.
The feasibility of using a multivariate regression model incorporating ultrasound findings and serum markers to predict thyroid cancer metastasis
Authors: Li Hong , Zhang Lanli , Wang Yanbing , Tong Shengju , Shi Yang , Lu Shengnan , Bu Yanling
Published: November 2024

Objective

This study aimed to assess the viability of a multivariate regression model utilizing ultrasound findings and serum markers for predicting thyroid cancer metastasis.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 98 thyroid patients admitted from January 2022 to October 2022 was conducted to categorize them into a metastasis group (n=20) and a non-metastasis group (n=78) based on postoperative pathological results. Both groups underwent ultrasound examination and serum marker testing. Correlative analysis was performed to explore the association between various indicators and thyroid cancer metastasis. A multivariate regression model was developed, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the predictive value of ultrasound findings, serum markers, and their combination for thyroid cancer metastasis.

Results

Statistically significant differences were found in the levels of ultrasound findings and serum markers between the two groups. Nodule boundaries, presence or absence of halos, margins, lobulation, capsular invasion, surface smoothness, nodule aspect ratio, uric acid, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL cholesterol levels were predictors of metastasis in thyroid cancer. The AUC value of 0.950 for the prediction of thyroid cancer metastasis by ultrasound signs combined with serologic indicators was significantly higher than 0.728 and 0.711 predicted by ultrasound signs or serologic indicators alone.

Conclusion

The multivariate regression model incorporating ultrasound findings and serum markers enhances the predictive accuracy for thyroid cancer metastasis, offering essential guidance for early prediction and intervention in a clinical setting.
Urban expansion induced land use changes and its effect on ecosystem services in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Hailu Tadesse , Assefa Engdawork , Zeleke Tesfaye
Published: November 2024

The study examines the dynamics of urban expansion and changes in land use in Addis Ababa from 1993 to 2023 using satellite data and GIS analysis, as well as the benefit transfer approach for valuing ecosystem services. In addition, an expert survey was conducted using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method to determine the factors driving urban expansion. Results reveal oscillations in urban expansion rates and intensities over the three-decade period. While the 2003–2013 decade witnessed rapid urban growth, subsequent years showed a slowdown. The overall period (1993–2023) has an intensity index greater than 1, indicating that urban areas expanded faster than the city’s overall growth during the entire time frame. Land cover analysis revealed a significant decrease in green areas and croplands and a remarkable increase in built-up areas. In aggregate, the natural land cover was reduced by 128.6% whereas built-up increased by 224.7%. This shift signifies a transition from natural and agricultural land uses to urbanization and development. Moreover, the study evaluates changes in ecosystem service values (ESVs), indicating a consistent decline over time, particularly in forestlands and urban green areas. The significant alteration in land use that built up caused to ecosystems has resulted in an annual loss of 90.7 million USD from 1993 to 2023 in terms of ecosystem service value. The most significant impacts were observed in food production, climate regulation, and habitat ecosystem services. The encroachment of built-up areas on different land use categories leads to substantial losses in ecosystem service values. Socioeconomic factors, notably population growth and migration, emerge as primary drivers of urban expansion, emphasizing the interconnectedness of demographic changes and land use patterns. Overall, the findings underscore the complex interplay between urban expansion, land use dynamics, and ecosystem services in Addis Ababa, highlighting the importance of informed urban planning and policy interventions to mitigate adverse environmental impacts.
Landscape pattern evolution and ecological security assessment based on land use changes in mining cities: a case study of Heihe city
Authors: Shi Yu , Fan Xiaoxiao , Chen Haonan , Kao Yuhan , Sun Meiqi
Published: November 2024

The development of mining cities has led to changes in land use and the evolution of landscape patterns. Constructing an ecological security evaluation system can reflect the ecological security status of mining city areas and provide planning references for these cities. This study, based on Heihe City’s land use data from 1980 to 2020, systematically analyzes the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of land use, landscape patterns, and landscape ecological security levels by constructing a land use transfer matrix and calculating landscape pattern indices and landscape ecological security indices. The results show that: 1) Forest land is the main type of land use in Heihe City, accounting for over 50% of the total area. Land use changes primarily occurred between 2000–2010 and 2010–2020, with the spatial pattern characterized by overall stability and localized dramatic shifts, mainly involving the conversion of forest land to farmland and unused land. 2) From 1980 to 2020, the landscape ecological security pattern in Heihe City improved. Landscape diversity and landscape contagion increased, while landscape fragmentation, the largest patch area, and the average patch area decreased. Land use was optimized overall, but the trend of forest fragmentation became noticeable. 3) Between 1980 and 2020, the landscape ecological security level in Heihe City improved significantly. Driven by ecological restoration policies, the ecological security level in the southern region greatly improved, while the spatial pattern continued to show a trend of lower security in the south and higher security in the north. Specifically, the area proportions of low-security and relatively low-security areas increased by 6.23% and 9.55%, respectively. The spatial clustering of landscape ecological security levels is evident, with high-high value clustering mainly in the north and low-low value clustering mainly in the south. It is necessary to further promote ecological protection in the north to ensure the ecological barrier function, while strengthening ecological restoration in the south to improve ecological security levels. Additionally, continuous macro-policy regulation is needed to maintain long-term ecological security in Heihe City. The ecological security level of mining city landscapes is influenced by economic dependence, policy constraints, and environmental issues. This study can provide guidance for planning improvements in the study area and other mining cities.
The development of compensatory ability for a sexually-selected ornament in stalk-eyed flies
Authors: Vance Jason T. , Swallow John G.
Published: November 2024

Female preference for longer eyespan has driven exaggerated sexual dimorphism in several species of stalk-eyed flies. Longer eyespan increases a fly’s moment of inertia, and flies experience significant increase in body mass across age as they mature sexually. These costs may impact flight behavior and fitness through maneuverability and predator evasion, and appear ameliorated by co-selection for compensatory traits, as flies with longer eyespans tend to have larger thoraces and wings, allowing them to perform turns similar to flies with shorter eyespans. However, the capacity to compensate for a potentially costly ornament may not be limited to morphological traits which are fixed at the time of eclosion: as flies age, they also accumulate thorax mass and improve their flight performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the compensatory ability of two populations of stalk-eyed flies (Teleopsis dalmanni and Diasemopsis meigenii) through comparing morphology and flight performance relative to eyespan. ‘Over-compensators’ should exhibit greater morphological and/or performance traits relative to eyespan, whereas ‘under-compensators’ should exhibit relatively less across these metrics. Flight performance was assessed using high-speed videography and variable-density gas-mixtures to determine maximal flight capacity. Young adult flies eclosed as ‘under-compensators’, with less thorax mass, wing velocity and flight capacity relative to their eyespan as compared to older flies. As flies aged and accumulated thorax mass, they became ‘over-compensators’. Thus, compensation for long eye-stalks is not a fixed trait; instead, variation in compensatory ability appears to be associated with the development of thorax muscle and flight performance across age.
Prenatal depressive symptoms in Latinas: a qualitative investigation
Authors: Almeida Isabel F.
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Exposure to prenatal depressive symptoms is associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and child health complications. Research examining experiences of maternal depression among Latinas living in the United States, who have increased risk for experiencing prenatal depression symptoms, is lacking.

Objectives

The purpose of this qualitative investigation is to examine the experience of prenatal depression symptoms among Latinas primarily of Mexican descent.

Methods

Fourteen pregnant Latinas shared their experiences of depressive symptoms during pregnancy in individual interviews and one focus group conducted in Spanish.

Results

The most described symptoms of depression were periods of crying for no reason; feelings of irritability, sadness, and loneliness; and a loss of interest in normal activities. The participants coped with their depressive symptoms through distraction. Additionally, participants shared their beliefs that experiencing prenatal depressive symptoms was normal due to hormonal changes and that social support was protective. Themes about the baby “feeling” the mother's emotions during pregnancy and that prenatal depression is misunderstood also emerged.

Conclusions

These findings shed light on how Latina's experience maternal depressive symptoms and call for additional research on risk factors during the perinatal period among this growing subpopulation.
Quantification of heterogeneity in human CD8+ T cell responses to vaccine antigens: an HLA-guided perspective
Authors: Harris Duane C. , Shanker Apoorv , Montoya Makaela M. , Llewellyn Trent R. , Matuszak Anna R. , Lohar Aditi , Kubicek-Sutherland Jessica Z. , Li Ying Wai , Wilding Kristen , Mcmahon Ben , Gnanakaran Sandrasegaram , Ribeiro Ruy M. , Perelson Alan S. , Molina-París Carmen
Published: November 2024

Vaccines have historically played a pivotal role in controlling epidemics. Effective vaccines for viruses causing significant human disease, e.g., Ebola, Lassa fever, or Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, would be invaluable to public health strategies and counter-measure development missions. Here, we propose coverage metrics to quantify vaccine-induced CD8+ T cell-mediated immune protection, as well as metrics to characterize immuno-dominant epitopes, in light of human genetic heterogeneity and viral evolution. Proof-of-principle of our approach and methods are demonstrated for Ebola virus, SARS-CoV-2, and Burkholderia pseudomallei (vaccine) proteins.
Long term survival and outcomes in patients with paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes
Authors: Bar Mucha Sapir , Rozenberg Ayal , Gutter Kapon Lilach , Gorenshtein Alon , Ganelin-Cohen Esther , Ben Hayun Rachel , Yarovinsky Nataliya , Shelly Shahar
Published: November 2024

Objective

It is unknown whether delay in diagnosis affects morbidity reportedly in paraneoplastic syndromes (PNS). We aimed to explore various aspects of PNS, including prevalence, clinical characteristics, diagnostic criteria, and treatment outcomes.

Methods

We studied n-PNS diagnosis between 2016 to 2023, and included only patients with positive onconeural antibodies, who developed cancer, and exhibited a recognizable PNS phenotype.

Results

We identified 12 patients with positive Abs and co-occurring cancer, most prevalent PNS antibodies included anti-GAD65, anti-Recoverin and anti-Yo. The most common phenotypes were limbic encephalitis (n=5, 42%) and encephalomyelitis (n=4,33%). Cancer preceded neurological presentation in 6 cases. Among the 6 patients who initially presented with n-PNS, median time from neurological presentation to oncologic diagnosis was 73 days, as five of them (83%) were diagnosed with cancer during oncological evaluation prompted by the PNS diagnosis or suspicion. Lymphoma was the most frequent cancer (n=3, 25%), followed by lung cancer (n=2, 17%), and ovarian cancer (n=2, 17%). Among patients who received immunotherapy as n-PNS treatment (n=9, 75%), steroids were a part of the management at 78% (n=7). Another immunotherapy used included plasmapheresis (n=5, 55%) and steroid sparing immunosuppressant (n=2, 29%). Four (33%) patients had short term therapeutic benefit with improvement or stabilization at mRS ≤ 4. Median Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), as disease burden value, was 13 years. Death occurred in 9 of the 12 patients, with most cases deaths attributed to cancer progression. Compering to the expected median survival by type and stage of tumor, from 9 deceased patients, 56% (n=5) died younger than expected. Median survival was 410 days (range 29-2738 days), and 152 days since the appearance of n-PNS (range 8-1434 days). There were no differences in survival between patients who initially presented with n-PNS versus cancer (p=0.39).

Conclusion

In up to 8 years of follow up, there was no difference in mortality among patients who presented initially n-PNS. There was a significant decline in the quality of life, most face substantial disability and functional impairment long term.
Modulation of local immunity by the vaginal microbiome is associated with triggering spontaneous preterm birth
Authors: Liang Yijia , Zhao Changying , Wen Yan , Sheng Dashuang , Wei Tiantian , Hu Tianqi , Dai Junhui , Zhao Guoping , Yang Sijie , Wang Qinghua , Zhang Lei
Published: November 2024

Objective

This study aimed to identify immune states associated with a high risk of preterm birth by immunophenotyping in pregnant populations, and to elucidate the characteristics of immune subtypes and their relationships with preterm birth. Additionally, it sought to uncover the microbial composition and functional characteristics of immune states linked to preterm birth, and to evaluate the impact of bacterial interactions on the initiation of preterm birth.

Methods

Utilizing 16S rRNA sequencing data and local immune factor expression data from a publicly available longitudinal pregnancy cohort, we conducted immunophenotyping through unsupervised clustering of the immune factors. We compared the differences in vaginal microbiota richness, diversity, and composition between identified immune subtypes using α and β diversity analysis. Signature microbiotas were identified using LEfSe analysis, and functional pathway enrichment variations were analyzed using PICRUSt2. Bidirectional mediation analysis was employed to construct a network of mediating roles, and preliminary in vitro validation of the Microbial-Cytokine-Preterm Birth pathway was performed to explore the effects of microbial and immune characteristics on vaginal epithelial cell function.

Results

Pregnant women were categorized into three immune subtypes based on local immune status. Microbial functional analysis identified 31 distinct functional pathways, six of which were downregulated in the preterm birth and excessive inflammatory response group. Significant differences in vaginal microbial diversity and composition were observed among pregnant women with different immune subtypes. Bidirectional mediation analysis revealed multiple intermediary roles in preterm birth, highlighting C3b/iC3b and IL-8 in mid-pregnancy and IgE and IgM in late pregnancy.

Conclusion

This study classified pregnant women into three immune subtypes, with the excessive inflammatory response subtype showing a higher predisposition to preterm birth. Mid-pregnancy immune status emerged as a key indicator of preterm birth risk, associated with the vaginal microbiome composition. Microorganisms affected the occurrence of preterm birth by modulating immune factor levels, with time-specific mediation roles observed. Lactobacillus crispatus demonstrated potential in protecting against preterm birth by modulating vaginal immune status.
The mechanisms of Pin1 as targets for cancer therapy
Authors: Liu Chuanfeng , Dan Lingying , Li Quan , Bajinka Ousman , Yuan Xingxing
Published: November 2024

Targeted therapy has considerable promise for the effective eradication of cancer at the primary tumor site prior to subsequent metastasis. Using this therapeutic approach, gaining an understanding of mechanistic cancer models is essential for facilitating the inhibition or suppression of tumor growth. Among different oncogenes and proteins, the protein interacting with never-in-mitosis kinase-1 (Pin1) is particularly important. The interaction between Pin1 and phosphorylated threonine-proline motifs results in significant alterations in protein structure and function. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the processes involving Pin1 and its mechanisms in the context of cancer therapy. Pin1 enhances signaling pathways in a number of different human cancers and plays a pivotal role in the suppressive mechanisms relevant to cancer treatment. It is essential for the regulation of proline-directed phosphorylation and for modulating tumor suppressors. Inhibitors of Pin1, particularly naturally occurring substances, have been found to inhibit the carcinogenic activity of Pin1, and consequently this protein could represent an excellent candidate for novel cancer treatment strategies, offering a valuable therapeutic target in carcinogenesis and treatment resistance.
Holocene fringing reef along southern Andaman and Swaraj Dweep shoreline
Authors: Misra Saikat Kumar , Menon Shradha , Sahoo Ramendra , Mannu Utsav , Khanna Pankaj
Published: November 2024

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are rimmed by discontinuous fringing reef that is in general wider on western margin vs the eastern margin. This study characterizes the facies updip from the modern fringing reefs to the present shoreline of south Andaman and Swaraj Dweep, and describes in detail the coral terraces/carpets within and above the inter-tidal zone representing the Holocene Fringing reef. Field studies, satellite, and drone datasets have been utilized to map different facies, that include: coralgal boundstone, biodetrital-grainstone, beachrock, and coralgal rudstone. Multiple exposed microatolls as well as coral terraces (coral carpets) of Acropora and Porites (dated 8.7-8.4 ka BP) have been identified within the intertidal zone (Radhanagar Beach, Swaraj Dweep) indicating that Holocene fringing reef have down-stepped offshore to the current location of modern fringing reefs owing to either tectonics or eustasy. The eustatic sea-level fluctuations are relatively well established for the Holocene and we compute the tectonic uplift rates utilizing the stream-power-incision and linear-inversion model. A tectonic uplift rate of ~ 0.05 mm/yr (for Swaraj Dweep) during the past 100 ka is estimated, while taking into account a wide range of erodibility indexes and response time intervals. It is identified that the computed uplift rate is an amalgamation of the coseismic deformation along with the interseismic and aseismic surface deformation. Thus, not all exposed coral terraces/microatolls are exposed due to coseismic deformation (for example uplift in parts of Andaman due to earthquake in 2004). The average long-term uplift rates are a magnitude lower than the eustatic sea-level fall rates during Holocene, thus, we suggest that most of the Holocene fringing reefs are exposed due to eustatic sea-level fall and down-stepped to the current location of the modern fringing reefs. This would entail that the eustatic sea-level change rates would play a significant role in determining future of the modern fringing reef (catch-up vs keep up vs give up), and the coastal morphology of south Andaman and Swaraj Dweep, with implications for coastal inundation and stability in the scenario of climate change.
ILDIM-MFAM: interstitial lung disease identification model with multi-modal fusion attention mechanism
Authors: Zhong Bin , Zhang Runan , Luo Shuixiang , Zheng Jie
Published: November 2024

This study aims to address the potential and challenges of multimodal medical information in the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) by developing an ILD identification model (ILDIM) based on the multimodal fusion attention mechanism (MFAM) to improve the accuracy and reliability of ILD. Large-scale multimodal medical information data, including chest CT image slices, physiological indicator time series data, and patient history text information were collected. These data are professionally cleaned and normalized to ensure data quality and consistency. Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) is used to extract CT image features, Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory Network (Bi-LSTM) model is used to learn temporal physiological metrics data under long-term dependency, and Self-Attention Mechanism is used to encode textual semantic information in patient’s self-reporting and medical prescriptions. In addition, the multimodal perception mechanism uses a Transformer-based model to improve the diagnostic performance of ILD by learning the importance weights of each modality’s data to optimally fuse the different modalities. Finally, the ablation test and comparison results show that the model performs well in terms of comprehensive performance. By combining multimodal data sources, the model not only improved the Precision, Recall and F1 score, but also significantly increased the AUC value. This suggests that the combined use of different modal information can provide a more comprehensive assessment of a patient’s health status, thereby improving the diagnostic comprehensiveness and accuracy of ILD. This study also considered the computational complexity of the model, and the results show that ILDIM-MFAM has a relatively low number of model parameters and computational complexity, which is very favorable for practical deployment and operational efficiency.
A case report of severe pneumonia caused by Aeromonas dhakensis infection complicated with severe atrial septal defect
Authors: Sha Jun , Shao Jie , Lu Sheng , Zhang Mengmeng , Gu Cheng , Deng Yimai , Zhang Jianfeng , Feng Yufeng
Published: November 2024

Aeromonas dhakensis is an increasingly recognized human pathogen in recent years and was first isolated and reported in a sample of childhood diarrhea in Bangladesh. More and more cases of Aeromonas dhakensis infection have been reported in recent years. Here we report a case of severe pneumonia caused by Aeromonas dhakensis with severe atrial septal defect. The patient, a 56-year-old male, was admitted to the hospital with severe hypoxemia and severe septic shock. Detection of the patient’s bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and peripheral blood by the metagenomic next generation sequencing (mNGS) indicated Aeromonas dhakensis infection.
Understanding the role of Staphylococcus aureus in atopic dermatitis: strain diversity, microevolution, and prophage influences
Authors: Wang Zhongjie , Hülpüsch Claudia , Traidl-Hoffmann Claudia , Reiger Matthias , Schloter Michael
Published: November 2024

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a prevalent inflammatory skin disorder characterized by chronic inflammation, skin barrier dysfunction, and microbial dysbiosis, with Staphylococcus aureus playing a significant role in its pathogenesis. This paper explores the strain diversity and microevolution of S. aureus within AD patients, emphasizing how specific strains adapt to the altered skin environment, exacerbating the condition. The review emphasizes the significance of variation in specific functional genes among S. aureus strains, which enhances their ability to adapt to different microenvironments and shapes their pathogenic potential. It also discusses how mobile genetic elements, particularly prophages, contribute to genetic diversity and drive the virulence and antibiotic resistance of S. aureus in AD, highlighting the clinical challenges posed by these strain-specific factors in managing the disease. The paper advocates for the integration of advanced genomic tools such as whole-genome sequencing and machine learning to develop targeted therapies. By focusing on the genetic adaptability of S. aureus and its impact on AD, this review underscores the need for strain-specific diagnostics and personalized treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes.
A randomized double-blinded study assessing the effect of different doses of transnasal dexmedetomidine on the median effective concentration of ropivacaine for a caudal block
Authors: Wang Fu , Qu Shijie , Chen Yinglu , Liao Bo , Ao Li , Zhang Hui , Zhou Hongyan , Zhang Liang
Published: November 2024

Background

Perineural administration of dexmedetomidine (PN-DEX) can enhance the efficacy of local anesthetics used in regional nerve blocks while decreasing the median effective concentration (EC50) of these anesthetics. Intranasal administration of dexmedetomidine (IN-DEX) is more accessible for sedation during regional anesthesia because of its non-invasive systemic administration and demonstrates synergism with local anesthetic. However, it remains unclear whether IN-DEX affects the EC50 of local anesthetics used in caudal blocks.

Methods

This study was a prospective, single-center, double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Patients scheduled to undergo elective hemorrhoidectomy were included and divided into three groups. Furthermore, 0.01 mL/kg of normal saline and 1 μg/kg and 2 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine were dripped into both nostrils of the patients in groups IN-NS, IN-DEX1, and IN-DEX2, respectively. These were administered 15 min before the caudal block. The initial concentration of ropivacaine was set at 0.4%, which was then varied by 0.025% using the up-and-down sequential allocation method. Vital signs, instances of hypotension and bradycardia with treatment, and other adverse reactions were recorded and compared.

Results

The EC50 values of ropivacaine were 0.275% (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.254–0.296%) in group IN-NS, 0.257% (95% CI, 0.238–0.276%) in group IN-DEX1, and 0.216% (95% CI, 0.195–0.236%) in group IN-DEX2. The EC95 values of ropivacaine were 0.315% (95% CI, 0.295–0.370%) in group IN-NS, 0.297% (95% CI, 0.278–0.351%) in group IN-DEX1, and 0.256% (95% CI, 0.236–0.310%) in group IN-DEX2. Compared to group IN-NS, the EC50 value of ropivacaine in IN-DEX2 was significantly decreased by 21.4% (p = 0.001), while there was no significant difference between group IN-NS and IN-DEX1 (p = 0.125). There were no differences in hypotension and bradycardia with treatment among the different groups.

Conclusion

IN-DEX decreased the EC50 of ropivacaine for the caudal block, and there was a specific dose-dependent effect for IN-DEX. The side effects were similar across all groups.
Effects of grassland degradation on soil ecological stoichiometry and soil microbial community on the South of the Greater Khingan Mountains
Authors: Li Yuyu , Zhao Lixing , Hilal Mian Gul , Guo Lizhu , Zhang Yandong , Ji Yu , Jiang Xiaowei , Hao Lifen , Lin Kejian
Published: November 2024

Grassland which covers 40% of terrestrial land is an important ecosystem having a multitude of functions, which has suffered various degrees of degradation with the interaction between global climate change and unreasonable human utilization (e.g., grazing and reclamation). Improved understanding of soil and microbial community diversity during meadow steppe degradation is crucial for predicting degradation mechanisms and restoration strategies. Here, we used Illumina sequencing technology to investigate the patterns of soil microbial community structure and the driving factors of its change across different degradation degrees of meadow steppe [i.e., non-degraded grasslands (NDG), lightly degraded grasslands (LDG), moderately degraded grasslands (MDG), and severely degraded grasslands (SDG)] south of the Greater Khingan Mountains. Our results showed a significant variation in soil properties, enzyme activity, and soil metal elements across the degraded meadows. Soil available phosphorus (AP), urease (UE), and cellulase (CL) in soils increased with the intensity of grassland degradation. Grassland degradation significantly decreased soil bacterial and fungal richness. In addition, grassland degradation significantly increased the relative abundance of Firmicutes (from 1.65% to 5.38%) and Myxococcota (from 2.13% to 3.13%). Degradation considerably increased the relative abundance of Ascomycota (from 66.54% to 75.05%), but decreased Basidiomycota (from 18.33% to 9.92%). The relative abundance of nitrogen fixation and cellulolysis decreased significantly due to grassland degradation. For fungal functional guilds, the relative abundance of pathotrophs increased while saprotrophs decreased significantly with increasing severity of degradation. Total nitrogen (TP), AP, available potassium (AK), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), UE, sucrase (SC), and alcalase protease (ALPT) were the main drivers of soil bacterial community composition, while TP, AP, AK, Pb, UE, and SC were the main drivers of soil fungal community composition in the degraded grassland. Our findings demonstrated that severe grassland degradation has an enormous effect on soil microbial communities and soil physicochemical dynamics. These findings improve our theoretical understanding of the interactions between soil microbial populations and soil environmental variables in degraded grassland.
Parasite–gut microbiota associations in wild wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus)
Authors: Marsh Kirsty J. , Raulo Aura R. , Webster Joanne P. , Knowles Sarah C. L.
Published: November 2024

The mammalian gastrointestinal tract provides a habitat for multiple commensal and pathogenic organisms spanning all three domains of life. Both positive and negative interactions occur between gut inhabitants, with potential consequences for host health. Studies of parasite–microbiota associations in natural systems remain scarce, yet are important for understanding how parasite communities and commensal microbiota shape each other, and how these interactions influence host health. Here, we characterize associations between helminth and coccidial infections and gut microbiota profiles in a wild population of wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) over 3 years, using two complementary approaches. We first examined parasite–microbiota associations along the length of the gastrointestinal tract through destructive sampling. Then, in a larger non-invasive capture mark-recapture study, we assessed whether gut parasitic infections detected in feces predicted fecal microbiota diversity and composition. We found that while overall microbiota composition was not associated with infection by any common gut parasite species, microbiota richness was associated with gut parasitism in two ways: (i) infection by the trematode Corrigia vitta in the small intestine predicted higher microbiota diversity in the caecum; (ii) there was a negative relationship between gut parasite richness and fecal microbiota richness in the non-invasive study. As our results identified associations between gastrointestinal parasites and microbiota alpha diversity, a future experimental study in this tractable wild mammalian system would be valuable to definitively test the directionality of these interactions.
Geographical distribution and driving force of microbial communities in the sediments of Diamantina and Kermadec trenches
Authors: Zhang Yue , Jing Hongmei , Liu Hao
Published: November 2024

The distinctive geological characteristics of hadal trenches are recognized to affect the construction and ecological role of microbial communities; however, information on their population dynamics and assembly processes remains limited. In this study, bacteria and micro-eukaryotes in the sediments of the Diamantina and Kermadec trenches were explored utilizing high-throughput sequencing. Compared to the Diamantina Trench, significantly lower levels of bacterial and micro-eukaryotic biodiversity (p < 0.01), bacterial gene copy number (p < 0.05), and heterotrophic/parasitic micro-eukaryotic proportions (p < 0.05) were detected in the Kermadec Trench, which also exhibited a low community complexity based on the network analysis. Within each trench, no obvious population shifts were observed along the trench axis. Microbial communities in both trenches showed clear distance–decay distributions, mainly driven by stochastic processes. This study provided fresh perspectives on the microbial community assembly mechanism in deep-sea trenches. Studies of community complexity and diversified trophic states of microbes would contribute to an improved understanding of ecological functions and diversification in this extreme biosphere.
Endophytic bacteria: a sustainable strategy for enhancing medicinal plant cultivation and preserving microbial diversity
Authors: Semenzato Giulia , Fani Renato
Published: November 2024

Endophytic bacteria, part of the plant microbiome, hold significant potential for enhancing the cultivation and sustainability of medicinal plants (MPs). These microbes are integral to many plant functions, including growth promotion, nutrient acquisition, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, traditional cultivation practices often overlook the importance of these beneficial microbes, leading to reduced crop yields, lower phytochemical quality, and increased susceptibility to diseases. The domestication of MPs and the use of chemical fertilizers disrupt the natural microbial diversity in soils, essential for the health and productivity of plants. This disruption can lead to the loss of beneficial plant–microbe interactions, which are vital for the production of bioactive compounds with therapeutic properties. Recent advances in microbiome research, supported by omics technologies, have expanded our understanding of how endophytic bacteria can be leveraged to enhance MP productivity and quality. Endophytic bacteria can directly boost MP productivity by promoting plant growth and health or indirectly by restoring healthy soil microbiomes. They can also be harnessed as microbial factories to produce valuable natural compounds, either by transforming plant-derived precursors into bioactive substances or by synthesizing unique metabolites that mimic MP secondary metabolites. This offers a sustainable and low-cost alternative to traditional MP cultivation, reducing the carbon footprint and preserving endangered species. In conclusion, integrating microbiome research with traditional agricultural practices could revolutionize MP cultivation. By focusing on the microbial component, particularly endophytes, we can develop more sustainable and productive methods for cultivating these plants, ultimately contributing to biodiversity conservation and the production of high-value natural products.
Neuroinflammation and glycosylation-related cerebrospinal fluid proteins for predicting functional decline in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a proteomic study
Authors: Nakamura Kimie , Fujita Koji , Suzuki Motohisa , Kunugi Akiyoshi , Hirozane Yoshihiko , Kunikata Tomonori , Takahashi Bitoku , Narazaki Genta , Kondo Hirofumi , Haji Shotaro , Hirai Keisuke , Izumi Yuishin
Published: November 2024

Background

The rate of disease progression varies widely among patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Prognostic assessment using biomarkers is highly anticipated to improve clinical trial design. We aimed to explore the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for prognostic biomarkers to predict future functional decline in patients with ALS.

Methods

We collected CSF samples from 64 patients with ALS and 25 disease controls. The prospective progression rate was calculated using the Revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) at CSF collection and in 6 months. The ALS patients were classified into slow, intermediate, and fast progression groups. We performed comprehensive proteomic analyses of the CSF samples. Factors with significant changes between slow and fast progression groups were investigated via receiver operating characteristic curve analyses. Moreover, the correlation of the CSF factors with progression rate was evaluated by multiple regression analyses.

Results

In total, 26 proteins changed significantly (p < 0.05 and q < 0.10), with levels varying within a large dynamic range (fold change of >1.5 or < 0.5). A receiver operating characteristic curve analyses showed that the following proteins showed high discrimination power between slow and fast progression groups: glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B (GPNMB; area under the curve [AUC], 0.88), glial fibrillary acidic protein (AUC, 0.81), glypican-1 (GPC1; AUC, 0.79), alpha-1,6-mannosyl-glycoprotein 2-beta-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (AUC, 0.74), and chitinase-3-like protein 2 (CHI3L2; AUC, 0.73). Of these, GPNMB, GPC1, and CHI3L2 were significantly correlated to prognostic progression rate.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that CSF levels of neuroinflammation and glycosylation-related proteins were significantly correlated with prospective progression rates in patients with ALS. These proteins could be useful prognostic biomarkers for ALS.
Prevalence, incidence, and the time trends of sleep-disordered breathing among patients with stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Su Xiaofeng , Liu Shanshan , Wang Cong , Cai Yan , Li Yijing , Wang Dongmin , Fan Zhaofeng , Jiang Yan
Published: November 2024

Background

Recent studies have investigated the epidemiological burden of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in patients with stroke; however, the results have been inconsistent, and the temporal trends of SDB after stroke remain unclear.

Objective

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence and incidence of post-stroke SDB, evaluate demographic and clinical characteristic predictors of post-stroke SDB, and examine temporal trends in the overall burden of post-stroke SDB.

Methods

We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library for studies reporting the burden of SDB in stroke patients published between 1 January 2010 and 30 December 2023. Two researchers independently screened the records for eligibility, extracted the data, and assessed the quality of the studies. Data were analyzed using random effects meta-analyses, and sources of heterogeneity were explored using subgroup analyses and meta-regression analyses.

Results

Out of the 8,799 references retrieved, none examined the incidence of SDB after stroke. However, 85 studies from 26 countries examined the prevalence of SDB and were included. The overall prevalence of SDB, mild SDB, and moderate to severe SDB were 60.0% (95% CI, 60.0–70.0%), 30.0% (95% CI, 23.0–37.0%), and 45.0% (95% CI, 33.0–57.0%), respectively. Meta-regression revealed that sex (p < 0.0001) and sample size (p < 0.01) were sources of heterogeneity among the studies. The pooled overall prevalence of SDB remained stable over time.

Conclusion

SDB is common in patients with stroke, and no reduction in the high prevalence of SDB has been observed over time, suggesting that early screening and prevention of post-stroke SDB still have not received sufficient attention. Moreover, additional studies investigating the incidence of this disease are needed to inform clinical practice.
Update on central factors in myopia development beyond intraocular mechanisms
Authors: Tian Rui-Kang , Tian Xiao-Xue , Yang Hai-Bo , Wu Yi-Ping
Published: November 2024

Myopia, a prevalent refractive error, primarily affects children and adolescents, characterized by excessive axial elongation causing distant objects to focus in front of the retina. This review explores the intricate mechanisms beyond intraocular factors, emphasizing the significant role of central factors in myopia development and progression. Intraocular mechanisms involving the retina, RPE/choroid, and sclera are well documented, with these structures playing crucial roles in eye growth regulation. Central factors, including brain structure and function alterations, are increasingly recognized, supported by advanced imaging techniques such as fMRI and rs-fMRI. Clinical findings highlight changes in brain activity and connectivity in high myopia (HM), suggesting neural plasticity or compensatory mechanisms. Animal studies further elucidate central mechanisms, indicating the involvement of specific brain nuclei like the visual cortex and suprachiasmatic nucleus. Understanding these complex interactions between intraocular and central mechanisms is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies to inhibit myopia progression and prevent associated complications. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of current research, contributing to a deeper understanding of central factors of myopia.
Lower-limb muscle synergies in musician’s dystonia: a case study of a drummer
Authors: Sata Shizuka , Honda Kazuaki , Yamaguchi Satoshi , Komine Mizuki , Kim SungHyek , Kashino Makio , Hagio Shota , Fujii Shinya
Published: November 2024

Musician’s dystonia (MD) is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions specifically triggered by playing an instrument. This condition often leads to a loss of fine motor control, threatening the careers of affected musicians. While MD is commonly associated with the hands, it can also affect the lower limbs, particularly in drummers. Understanding the muscle coordination involved in MD is crucial for comprehending its neurological mechanisms, yet the muscle coordination of lower-limb dystonia has not been thoroughly explored. This study aimed to investigate the differences in lower-limb muscle synergies in a drummer with MD, utilizing non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) to analyze coordinated muscle activity patterns during drumming tasks. A 36-year-old male professional drummer with lower-limb MD was instructed to play a drum set in time with a metronome set at 80 beats per minute. The task involved striking the bass drum pedal in time with the downbeat. Electromyographic (EMG) data were collected from 10 muscles in the right lower limb. The data were analyzed using NMF to extract muscle synergies and compare the number of synergies, spatial modules, and temporal modules between the data with and without dystonia symptoms. The number of muscle synergies did not differ significantly between the data with and without symptoms. Notably, changes were observed in both the spatial and temporal modules of muscle synergies. Spatial modules revealed the appearance of dystonia-specific muscle synergy, which is considered related to compensatory movement. Temporal modules showed significant earlier overactivation in timing, which is considered the direct manifestation of dystonia symptoms. These findings indicate that lower-limb dystonia in drummers affects the spatial and temporal profiles of muscle synergies. This study underscores the importance of considering both spatial and temporal modules of muscle synergy in understanding and treating lower-limb dystonia in drummers. Further research is needed to validate these findings and apply muscle synergy analysis for the clinical assessment of lower-limb dystonia in drummers.