bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The synergy of renewable energy consumption, technological innovation, and ecological quality: SDG policy proposals for developing country
Authors: Fang Haowen , Akhayere Evidence , Adebayo Tomiwa Sunday , Kavaz Doga , Ojekemi Oluwaseun Racheal
Published: January 2024

The rapid growth of technological innovations and human activities has led to significant adverse effects on the environment and its quality. To assess ecological quality, this study utilizes a comprehensive indicator known as the “load capacity factor,” which incorporates two key ecological components: bio‐capacity and ecological footprints. By employing dynamic autoregressive distributed lag (DYARDL) and spectral causality approaches, the research investigates the impact of fossil fuel consumption, technological innovation, and renewable energy utilization on improving ecological quality from 1990 to 2018. The DYARDL analysis reveals that economic expansion and reliance on fossil fuel energy contribute to a decline in environmental quality, whereas the use of renewable energy enhances ecological sustainability. Moreover, the spectral causality analysis indicates that fossil fuel consumption, renewable energy usage, and economic growth can predict the load capacity factor in the long run. These findings underscore the significance of renewable energy in achieving long‐term environmental objectives. Based on these outcomes, it is recommended that policymakers in South Africa implement measures to reduce ecological damage and foster a more sustainable environment. Emphasizing the adoption of renewable energy sources is crucial for attaining these long‐term environmental targets.
Development of a novel five‐dye panel for human identification insertion/deletion (INDEL) polymorphisms
Authors: Avellaneda Lucio L. , Johnson Damani T. , Gutierrez Ryan , Thompson Lindsey , Sage Kelly A. , Sturm Sarah A. , Houston Rachel M. , LaRue Bobby L.
Published: January 2024

DNA analysis of forensic case samples relies on short tandem repeats (STRs), a key component of the combined DNA index system (CODIS) used to identify individuals. However, limitations arise when dealing with challenging samples, prompting the exploration of alternative markers such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertion/deletion (INDELs) polymorphisms. Unlike SNPs, INDELs can be differentiated easily by size, making them compatible with electrophoresis methods. It is possible to design small INDEL amplicons (<200 bp) to enhance recovery from degraded samples. To this end, a set of INDEL Human Identification Markers (HID) was curated from the 1000 Genomes Project, employing criteria including a fixation index (FST) ≤ 0.06, minor allele frequency (MAF) >0.2, and high allele frequency divergence. A panel of 33 INDEL‐HIDs was optimized and validated following the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) guidelines, utilizing a five‐dye multiplex electrophoresis system. A small sample set (n = 79 unrelated individuals) was genotyped to assess the assay's performance. The validation studies exhibited reproducibility, inhibition tolerance, ability to detect a two‐person mixture from a 4:1 to 1:6 ratio, robustness with challenging samples, and sensitivity down to 125 pg of DNA. In summary, the 33‐loci INDEL‐HID panel exhibited robust recovery with low‐template and degraded samples and proved effective for individualization within a small sample set.
When does CSR‐facilitation human resource management motivate employee job engagement? The contextual effect of job insecurity
Authors: Iqbal Kamran , Shen Jie , Deng Xin
Published: January 2024

Drawing upon social identification theory and stakeholder theory, the current study examines the contextual effect of job insecurity on the indirect relationship between general corporate social responsibility facilitation‐human resource management (HRM) and employee job engagement through the mediation of organizational pride. Our analysis of a two‐wave dataset with a sample of 255 full‐time employees in the banking sector reveals that job insecurity negatively moderates the impact of general CSR‐facilitation HRM on organizational pride, which in turn is positively related to employee job engagement. This study advances the socially responsible HRM literature by providing insights into the underlying mechanisms and the contextual conditions under which general CSR‐facilitation HRM influences employee workplace outcomes in the presence of conflicting interests among stakeholders.
When should patients with T1N0 oral squamous cell carcinoma be considered for elective neck dissection?
Authors: Noor Anthony , Mair Manish D. , Gupta Ruta , Elliott Michael S. , Wykes James , Palme Carsten E. , Clark Jonathan R. , Low Tsu‐Hui Hubert
Published: January 2024

Aims

To identify adverse pathological features (APF) predicting nodal failure in clinically node negative T1 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Methodology

This study evaluated patients with T1N0 (≤5 mm depth of invasion (DOI) and ≤2 cm diameter) oral cancers from a prospectively maintained database between 1988 and 2020. All patients underwent surgical excision of the primary lesion without neck dissection. Patients underwent three monthly clinical surveillance and salvage neck dissection was performed if nodal relapse was diagnosed.

Results

Overall, 141 patients were included. Nodal relapse was reported in 16/141 (11.3%) patients. Factors impacting regional recurrence‐free survival were DOI ≥3 mm (HR: 2.4, P < 0.001), maximum tumour diameter ≥12 mm (HR: 1.1, P = 0.009), perineural invasion (PNI) (HR 7.5, P = 0.002) and poor differentiation (HR 5.3, P = 0.01). Rates of nodal relapse increased from 2% amongst patients with no APFs to 100% for those with four APFs. Patients with two or more APFs had significantly poorer 5‐year regional recurrence‐free survival (94.8% vs. 56.3%, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Patients with T1N0 OSCC with two or more APFs (DOI ≥3 mm, diameter ≥12 mm, PNI or poor differentiations) should be considered for elective neck dissection.
Strategies to prevent or reduce inequalities in specific avoidable causes of death for adults with intellectual disability: A systematic review
Authors: Heslop Pauline , Lauer Emily
Published: January 2024

Background

We now have sufficient evidence demonstrating inequalities in specific avoidable causes of death for adults with intellectual disability compared to their peers without intellectual disability. Apart from covid‐19, the largest differentials that disadvantage people with intellectual disability are in relation to pneumonia, aspiration pneumonia, epilepsy, cerebrovascular disease, ischaemic heart disease, deep vein thrombosis, diabetes and sepsis. The aim of this systematic review is to report on strategies at the individual, population or policy levels aimed at preventing these conditions that are applicable to adults with intellectual disability and that have been based on or recommended by research.

Methods

Systematic review of PUBMED, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsychInfo, Social Care Online, International Bibliography of the Social Sciences (IBSS), Web of Science, Scopus, Overton, the Cochrane Library and Google Scholar databases was carried out. Searches were completed on 30 June 2023. Quantitative, qualitative and mixed‐methods research; systematic, scoping or evidence‐based reviews; and audit and reports of mortality reviews were included. Publications included in the review were about preventing the eight potentially avoidable causes of death.

Findings

Ninety‐four papers were included in the review (9 in relation to pneumonia; 11 for aspiration pneumonia; 18 for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy; 7 for cerebrovascular disease; 8 for ischaemic heart disease; 4 for deep vein thrombosis; 31 for diabetes; 6 for sepsis). The eight most frequently occurring potentially avoidable causes of death in people with intellectual disability are very different medical conditions, but they shared striking similarities in how they could be prevented. The literature overwhelmingly implicated the need to make lifestyle changes to address obesity, lack of exercise and poor nutrition, and to have regular medical reviews. In addition, ‘whole‐population’ approaches are required that look beyond the individual to the social determinants of health.

Conclusions

We found little peer‐reviewed evidence specifically about preventing these conditions in people with intellectual disability. However, most of the literature about preventative strategies pertaining to the general population was applicable to people with intellectual disability, albeit that some ‘reasonable adjustments’ would be required.
Multifunctionality of angiosperm floral bracts: a review
Authors: Song Bo , Chen Jiaqi , Lev‐Yadun Simcha , Niu Yang , Gao Yongqian , Ma Rong , Armbruster W. Scott , Sun Hang
Published: January 2024

Floral bracts (bracteoles, cataphylls) are leaf‐like organs that subtend flowers or inflorescences but are of non‐floral origin; they occur in a wide diversity of species, representing multiple independent origins, and exhibit great variation in form and function. Although much attention has been paid to bracts over the past 150 years, our understanding of their adaptive significance remains remarkably incomplete. This is because most studies of bract function and evolution focus on only one or a few selective factors. It is widely recognised that bracts experience selection mediated by pollinators, particularly for enhancing pollinator attraction through strong visual, olfactory, or echo‐acoustic contrast with the background and through signalling the presence of pollinator rewards, either honestly (providing rewards for pollinators), or deceptively (attraction without reward or even trapping pollinators). However, studies in recent decades have demonstrated that bract evolution is also affected by agents other than pollinators. Bracts can protect flowers, fruits, or seeds from herbivores by displaying warning signals, camouflaging conspicuous reproductive organs, or by providing physical barriers or toxic chemicals. Reviews of published studies show that bracts can also promote seed dispersal and ameliorate the effects of abiotic stressors, such as low temperature, strong ultraviolet radiation, heavy rain, drought, and/or mechanical abrasion, on reproductive organs or for the plants' pollinators. In addition, green bracts and greening of colourful bracts after pollination promote photosynthetic activity, providing substantial carbon (photosynthates) for fruit or seed development, especially late in a plant's life cycle or season, when leaves have started to senesce. A further layer of complexity derives from the fact that the agents of selection driving the evolution of bracts vary between species and even between different developmental stages within a species, and selection by one agent can be reinforced or opposed by other agents. In summary, our survey of the literature reveals that bracts are multifunctional and subject to multiple agents of selection. To understand fully the functional and evolutionary significance of bracts, it is necessary to consider multiple selection agents throughout the life of the plant, using integrative approaches to data collection and analysis.
Temperature sensitivity of organic carbon decomposition in lake sediments is mediated by chemodiversity
Authors: Wen Shuailong , Hu Ang , Jiang Shuyu , Han Lei , Jang Kyoung‐Soon , Tanentzap Andrew J. , Zhong Jicheng , Wang Jianjun
Published: January 2024

Organic carbon decomposition in lake sediments contributes substantially to the global carbon cycle and is strongly affected by temperature. However, the magnitude of temperature sensitivity (Q10) of decomposition and the underlying factors remain unclear at the continental scale. Carbon quality temperature (CQT) hypothesis asserts that less reactive and more recalcitrant molecules tend to have higher temperature sensitivities, but its support is challenged by complex composition of organic matter and environmental constraints. Here, we quantified Q10 of the sediments across 50 freshwater ecosystems along a 3500 km north–south transect, and characterized the quality of sediment dissolved organic carbon with chemodiversity reflected in molecular richness, functional traits (i.e., molecular weight, bioavailability, etc.) and composition. We further included classic environmental variables, such as climatic, physicochemical and microbial factors, to explore how Q10 is constrained by these factors or carbon quality. We found that Q10 varied greatly across lakes, with the mean value of 1.78 ± 0.62, but showed nonsignificant latitudinal pattern. Q10 was primarily predicted by chemodiversity and showed an increasing trend with the biochemical recalcitrance indicated by traits such as aromaticity and standard Gibb's Free Energy at both molecular and compositional levels. This suggests that carbon quality is the crucial determinant of Q10 in lakes, supporting the CQT hypothesis. Moreover, Q10 decreased linearly with the increase of molecular richness, implying that the resistance of decomposition to warming is associated with higher molecular diversity. Compared with the structural equation model containing only environmental variables, inclusion of chemodiversity increased 32.8% of the explained variation in Q10, and chemodiversity was the only driver showing direct effects. Collectively, this study illustrates the importance of chemodiversity in shaping the pattern of Q10, and has significant implications for accurately predicting the carbon turnover in lake ecosystems in the context of global warming.
Profiles associated with significant hepatic fibrosis consisting of alanine aminotransferase >30 U/L, exercise habits, and metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease
Authors: Nakano Masahito , Kawaguchi Machiko , Kawaguchi Takumi , Yoshiji Hitoshi
Published: January 2024

Aim

In patients with steatotic liver disease (SLD), significant hepatic fibrosis is a prognostic factor with various etiologies, including inflammation and metabolic dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate independent factors and profiles associated with significant hepatic fibrosis, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels >30 U/L and metabolic dysfunction‐associated SLD (MASLD), in health check‐up examinees.

Methods

This single‐center, retrospective, observational cohort study enrolled 1378 consecutive health checkup examinees from April 2018 to September 2022. Shear wave elastography (SWE) was performed during a routine ultrasound examination, and patients with liver stiffness ≥6.60 kPa were defined as having significant hepatic fibrosis. Patients were classified into nonsignificant hepatic fibrosis (n = 1220) or a significant hepatic fibrosis (n = 158) group according to this definition.

Results

In multivariate analysis, the independent factor for significant hepatic fibrosis was aging (≥65 years; OR 9.637, 95% CI 6.704–13.852, p < 0.0001). According to decision tree analysis, the initial classifier was aging (≥65 years). After aging, an ALT level >30 U/L was the second relevant factor for significant hepatic fibrosis, regardless of age. An undirected graphical model showed that an ALT level of >30 U/L was directly associated with significant hepatic fibrosis. In patients aged ≥65 years with an ALT level >30 U/L, significant hepatic fibrosis was observed in 52% of the patients. Meanwhile, in patients aged ≥65 years with an ALT level ≤30 U/L, MASLD was the third classifier, with significant hepatic fibrosis observed in 38% of patients.

Conclusions

ALT levels >30 U/L and MASLD may be involved in the pathogenesis of significant hepatic fibrosis in patients aged ≥65 years.
Integrated strategies for the clinical correlation, prevention and management of chronic oral infections, wounds and arteriosclerotic occlusion in lower extremities
Authors: Lin Fangming , Han Jingxin , Xue Hailong , Ke Juncheng , Zhang Xin , Lin Mingguan
Published: January 2024

This study explores the intricate relationship between chronic periodontitis (CP) and its implications for wound healing, particularly in the context of arteriosclerotic occlusion (ASO) in the lower extremities. A cohort of 90 individuals was categorized into three groups: those with CP, those with both CP and ASO (ASO + CP) and a healthy control group. Comprehensive assessments including oral examinations, blood tests and questionnaires were conducted. Key oral health indicators such as probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP) and periodontal inflammatory surface area (PISA) were evaluated to gauge the severity of periodontal wounds. The study found that the ASO + CP group showed a significantly higher number of missing teeth and increased PD compared to the CP group (p < 0.05). Both CP and ASO + CP groups exhibited elevated PD, BOP and PISA compared to the control group (p < 0.05), indicating exacerbated periodontal wounds. Serum analyses showed heightened total cholesterol (TC) and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) levels in the ASO + CP group, suggesting a stronger inflammatory response and potential for atherogenesis. Interestingly, FPG and triglycerides (TG) levels did not significantly vary across groups (p > 0.05). Regression analysis identified PD (β = 2.271, p < 0.001) and PISA (β = 0.027, p = 0.001) as significant predictors for ASO presence in CP patients. The findings underscore the clinical correlation between chronic oral wounds in CP and the development of ASO in lower extremities, highlighting the critical need for integrated management strategies focusing on periodontal health to prevent and manage such complex conditions effectively. Elevated inflammatory markers in the ASO + CP group further reinforce the necessity for vigilant monitoring and targeted interventions in these patients.
RETRACTED: Effects of continuing nursing intervention on high‐risk patients with diabetic foot ulcers: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Xu Zhao , Wu Hui , Shi Jing
Published: January 2024

A comprehensive meta‐analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact of continuous nursing interventions on patients with high‐risk diabetic foot (DF). We systematically searched electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), from database inception to October 2023, pertaining to continuous nursing interventions in high‐risk DF patients. Independent literature screening, data extraction and quality assessment were performed by two researchers. Data analysis was executed using Stata 17.0 software. Overall, 18 RCTs involving 1450 high‐risk DF patients were included. The analysis revealed that continuous nursing interventions significantly reduced levels of fasting blood glucose (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −1.29 to −0.76, p < 0.001), 2‐h postprandial blood glucose (SMD = −1.76, 95%CI: −2.23 to −1.29, p < 0.001) and glycated haemoglobin levels (SMD = −1.05, 95%CI: −1.40 to −0.70, p < 0.001) in high‐risk DF patients. Furthermore, there was a significant reduction in the incidence of DF (odds ratio [OR] = 0.22, 95%CI: 0.14–0.33, p < 0.001). This study demonstrates that continuous nursing interventions are effective in controlling glycaemic indices (fasting blood glucose, 2‐h postprandial blood glucose and glycated haemoglobin) and reducing the incidence of DF in high‐risk patients. These interventions contribute to stabilizing the patients' condition and optimizing their prognosis.
Structure and defect analysis of different polysilazane‐derived silicon carbide systems
Authors: Shuster Seth , Bamonte Scott , Valus Joseph , Purgay Ryan , Arif Fayaz , March Seth , Suib Steven L.
Published: January 2024

Polysilazane (PSZ) polymers offer the ability to form silicon carbide (SiC) or silicon nitride (Si3N4) via thermal pyrolysis. The majority of studies surrounding this polymer have focused on the decomposition of PSZ to amorphous glass. Investigations into the structural defects and bonding environments of the final ceramic systems are not as frequently discussed. Examining structural defects/abnormalities can help better use PSZ‐derived ceramics in electronic and high‐temperature applications, where phase identity and microstructure are important.

In this work, three PSZ‐derived polymers were synthesized with different C/N ratios (1.33, 1.0, and 1.2) via the ammonolysis condensation reaction with chlorinated silanes. The samples were named PSZ‐SiCF1‐3. Samples were then pyrolyzed under Ar in a tube furnace at 1600°C for 5 h. Characterization included X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and electron energy loss spectroscopy.

XRD measurements uncovered arbitrary stacking fault (SF) measurements of 3C‐SiC to be 4.12, 1.08, and 2.12 (unitless) for samples PSZ‐SiCF1‐3. Results were supported through Raman spectroscopy and TEM. High carbon content, not higher residual nitrogen content, was more impactful for SF formation. This highlights the importance of SFs in the microstructural evolution of non‐oxide ceramics.
Remarkably improved nonlinearity and thermal stability of CaYNbMnO7 thermosensitive ceramics via the cold‐sintering process
Authors: Li Na , Zhao Qing , Zhang Bo , Chen Huimin , Chang Aimin , Fu Zhilong
Published: January 2024

The cold‐sintering process (CSP) uses a transient low‐temperature solvent, such as water or water with dissolved solutes consistent with the ceramic composition, to achieve functionalization at lower temperatures via the dissolution and precipitation principle. Here, during the CSP, the use of molten NaOH as a flux solvent promoted the rearrangement and precipitation of CaYNbMnO7 particles. CaYNbMnO7 ceramics were successfully obtained at 350°C and under a uniaxial pressure of 700 MPa. The ceramic was not a single‐phase structure but consisted of a cubic‐phase structure and a layered perovskite structure. To verify the high‐temperature thermal stability of CaYNbMnO7 ceramic prepared at 350°C, a comparative study was conducted with conventional sintering (CS). Results indicate that the ceramics obtained by CSP and CS have negative temperature coefficient characteristics. The cold‐sintered ceramic has a wider temperature range and better aging stability. (The minimum value of the aging coefficient is ∼2.49%.) Simultaneously, CSP is beneficial for promoting the linearization of the relationship between the logarithm in the resistivity (lnρ) and the reciprocal for the absolute temperature (1000/T) in the ceramic. However, the CSP has little effect on the material constant B and thermal activation energy Ea of the ceramic, providing a basis for the low‐temperature synthesis of high melting point thermosensitive ceramics.
Interactions of gadolinium hafnate and zirconate with silicate melts
Authors: Ericks Andrew R. , Holgate Collin S. , Basilyan Nikita , Levi Carlos G. , Zok Frank W.
Published: January 2024

Rare earth hafnates and zirconates are candidate materials for thermal and environmental barrier coatings (T/EBC) to protect gas turbine engine components from various environmental threats, including molten silicates derived from ingested mineral debris. This article examines the reactions of Gd2Hf2O7 (GHO) and Gd2Zr2O7 (GZO) to exemplary acidic and basic silicate melts. Exposure experiments at 1400°C reveal that both materials react to form mixed layers of apatite and fluorite. These layers largely hinder melt penetration of grain boundaries in GZO for exposures up to 4 h. However, extensive intergranular melt penetration occurs into GHO below the reaction layer within 1 h for the acidic melt and within 4 h for the basic melt. Shorter exposures (1–5 min) of Gd‐lean versions of the two compounds, viz. Gd0.2Hf0.8O1.9 and Gd0.2Zr0.8O1.9, are used to probe differences in the dissolution and diffusion rates. While both oxides form fluorite, the HfO2‐based one reacts more slowly than that based on ZrO2. Analysis of composition profiles across the solid/melt boundary reveals that Hf4+ diffuses more slowly than Zr4+ and that the hafnate dissolves more slowly than the zirconate; in both cases dissolution is diffusion‐controlled. The implications for the efficacy of reactive crystallization as a silicate mitigation strategy are discussed.
Pre‐class learning analytics in flipped classroom: Focusing on resource management strategy, procrastination and repetitive learning
Authors: Doo Min Young , Park Yeonjeong
Published: January 2024

Background

Despite the many advantages of flipped learning, it is challenging for educators to ensure that students complete the pre‐class learning assignments before the in‐class session.

Objectives

Using a learning analytics approach, this study analysed students' pre‐class video‐watching behaviour in flipped learning with a focus on learners' resource management strategies, procrastination, and repeated video‐watching.

Methods

For the empirical study, three types of data (i.e., log data, survey and exam) were obtained from 70 undergraduate students who were enrolled in pre‐service teacher program designed in a flipped classroom including pre‐class videos and in‐class session.

Results and conclusions

The findings showed significant differences between the non‐procrastination group and procrastination group in their video watching time and resource management strategies. Those who watched the pre‐class videos at home/dorm greatly outnumbered those who did not, and they performed better than students who watched the pre‐class videos in other locations.

What are the major takeaways from the study?

This finding highlights the importance of resource management strategies in terms of the time and study environment to promote success in flipped learning courses. However, the number of times students accessed the pre‐class videos or watched the videos before class was not correlated with learning achievement. The reason for re‐watching pre‐class videos is a suggested future direction so instructors can design effective flipped learning courses.
Stable indoleamines attenuate stress—A novel paradigm in tryptophan metabolism in plants
Authors: Ayyanath Murali‐Mohan , Shukla Mukund R. , Sriskantharajah Karthika , Hezema Yasmine S. , Saxena Praveen K.
Published: January 2024

Stability of metabolites in harsh environments such as drought, temperature, and light suggest their untapped potential in processes the plants utilize in mitigation of abiotic and biotic stresses. Such metabolites could be nonspecific to microorganisms, plants, or animals. Many of the indoleamines are ubiquitous throughout species and have been shown to mitigate a wide range of stresses. We tested the role of indoleamine metabolites via exogenous application of the precursor tryptophan (TRP) on strawberry due to the short reproductive life cycle and its temperate traits. Seasonal responses appeared to be perturbed with exogenous application of TRP as a combination of foliar (3 mg/L) and ground drench (100 mg/L) or ground drench only (100 mg/L). The treatment yielded growth stimulatory responses besides mitigating stress, that is, short photoperiod and cold temperature. Plants preparing into dormancy reverted to produce green foliage and flowers that set fruit in unfavorable climate in the month of November where the untreated plants senesced. Analyses of the endogenous indoleamines in flowers and fruits of the treated plants indicated that the titers and ratios of the metabolites NAS, 2‐hydroxymelatonin, and N(1)‐acetyl‐N(2)‐formyl‐5‐methoxykynuramine assisted in the stress mitigation. The ASMT and M2H gene regulations emphasized the stability of intermediate metabolites of TRP. The TDC and T5H regulation explained the detection of a rare to find compound, 5‐hydroxytryptophan, in strawberry. This is the first report on detection of eight indoleamines in strawberry alongside the regulatory genes in the indoleamine pathway. Inclining climate crisis demands climate‐resilient plants in quick time and the indoleamine toolkit may offer the opportunity to develop simple and effective practices to manage stress tolerance in plants.
Bulk and single‐cell transcriptome reveal the immuno‐prognostic subtypes and tumour microenvironment heterogeneity in HCC
Authors: Ji Daihan , Lu Shuting , Zhang Huarong , Li Zhenli , Wang Shenglin , Miao Tongjie , Jiang Zhiyu , Ao Lu
Published: January 2024

Background & Aims

Accumulating evidences suggest tumour microenvironment (TME) profoundly influence clinical outcome in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Existing immune subtypes are susceptible to batch effects, and integrative analysis of bulk and single‐cell transcriptome is helpful to recognize immune subtypes and TME in HCC.

Methods

Based on the relative expression ordering (REO) of 1259 immune‐related genes, an immuno‐prognostic signature was developed and validated in 907 HCC samples from five bulk transcriptomic cohorts, including 72 in‐house samples. The machine learning models based on subtype‐specific gene pairs with stable REOs were constructed to jointly predict immuno‐prognostic subtypes in single‐cell RNA‐seq data and validated in another single‐cell data. Then, cancer characteristics, immune landscape, underlying mechanism and therapeutic benefits between subtypes were analysed.

Results

An immune‐related signature with 29 gene pairs stratified HCC samples individually into two risk subgroups (C1 and C2), which was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival. The machine learning models verified the immune subtypes from five bulk cohorts to two single‐cell transcriptomic data. Integrative analysis revealed that C1 had poorer outcomes, higher CNV burden and malignant scores, higher sensitivity to sorafenib, and exhibited an immunosuppressive phenotype with more regulators, e.g., myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), Mø_SPP1, while C2 was characterized with better outcomes, higher metabolism, more benefit from immunotherapy, and displayed active immune with more effectors, e.g., tumour infiltrating lymphocyte and dendritic cell. Moreover, both two single‐cell data revealed the crosstalk of SPP1‐related L–R pairs between cancer and immune cells, especially SPP1‐CD44, might lead to immunosuppression in C1.

Conclusions

The REO‐based immuno‐prognostic subtypes were conducive to individualized prognosis prediction and treatment options for HCC. This study paved the way for understanding TME heterogeneity between immuno‐prognostic subtypes of HCC.
Cardiac remodelling in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in the general population
Authors: Kostka Frederik , Ittermann Till , Groß Stefan , Laqua Fabian Christopher , Bülow Robin , Völzke Henry , Dörr Marcus , Kühn Jens Peter , Markus Marcello Ricardo Paulista , Kromrey Marie‐Luise
Published: January 2024

Background and Aims

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Our study investigates the contribution of NAFLD to changes in cardiac structure and function in a general population.

Methods

One thousand ninety‐six adults (49.3% female) from the Study of Health in Pomerania underwent magnetic resonance imaging including cardiac and liver imaging. The presence of NAFLD by proton density fat fraction was related to left cardiac structure and function. Results were adjusted for clinical confounders using multivariable linear regression model.

Results

The prevalence for NAFLD was 35.9%. In adjusted multivariable linear regression models, NAFLD was positively associated with higher left ventricular mass index (β = 0.95; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.45; 1.45), left ventricular concentricity (β = 0.043; 95% CI: 0.031; 0.056), left ventricular end‐diastolic wall thickness (β = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.20; 0.38), left atrial end‐diastolic volume index (β = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.01; 1.32) and inversely associated with left ventricular end‐diastolic volume index (β = −0.78; 95% CI: −1.51; −0.05). When stratified by sex, we only found significant positive associations of NAFLD with left ventricular mass index, left atrial end‐diastolic volume index, left ventricular cardiac output and an inverse association with global longitudinal strain in women. In contrast, men had an inverse association with left ventricular end‐diastolic volume index and left ventricular stroke volume. Higher liver fat content was stronger associated with higher left ventricular mass index, left ventricular concentricity and left ventricular end‐diastolic wall thickness.

Conclusion

NAFLD is associated with cardiac remodelling in the general population showing sex specific patterns in cardiac structure and function.
Impact of PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 polymorphisms on the prognosis of patients with MASLD and type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Lavrado Natália Coelho , Salles Gil Fernando , Cardoso Claudia Regina Lopes , de França Paulo Henrique Condeixa , Melo Maria Fernanda Di Guimarães Gonçalves , Leite Nathalie Carvalho , Villela‐Nogueira Cristiane Alves
Published: January 2024

Background/Aims

Longitudinal studies assessing the impact of genetic polymorphisms on outcomes in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and Metabolic Dysfunction‐Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 risk alleles on hepatic and extrahepatic outcomes in T2DM‐MASLD individuals.

Methods

Patients' polymorphisms were analysed as follows: PNPLA3 CC, CG and GG; TM6SF2 CC and CT + TT; combined comparing no mutant allele, one allele G or T or ≥2 alleles G or T. Hierarchical models were built to assess associations between polymorphisms and outcomes, independently of confounding factors. Multivariate logistic regression was used for cirrhosis and its complications and extrahepatic cancer, and Cox regression for cardiovascular events (CVEs) and all‐cause mortality.

Results

In total, 407 T2DM‐MASLD patients (62.1 ± 10.5 years, 67.6% women) were followed for 11 (6–13) years. Having at least one G or T allele independently increased the risk of cirrhosis in the separate analysis of PNPLA3 and TM6SF2. Combined polymorphism analysis demonstrated an even higher risk of cirrhosis if two or more risk alleles were present (OR 18.48; 95% CI 6.15–55.58; p < .001). Regarding cirrhosis complications, the risk was higher in PNPLA3 GG and TM6SF2 CT + TT, also with an even higher risk when two or more risk alleles were present in the combined evaluation (OR 27.20; 95% CI 5.26–140.62; p < .001). There were no associations with CVEs or mortality outcomes.

Conclusion

In T2DM, PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 polymorphisms, individually and additively, impact MASLD severity, with an increased risk of cirrhosis and its complications.
Mycoplasma invasion into host cells: An integrated model of infection strategy
Authors: Xiu Feichen , Li Xinru , Liu Lu , Xi Yixuan , Yi Xinchao , Li Yumeng , You Xiaoxing
Published: January 2024

Mycoplasma belong to the genus Mollicutes and are notable for their small genome sizes (500–1300 kb) and limited biosynthetic capabilities. They exhibit pathogenicity by invading various cell types to survive as intracellular pathogens. Adhesion is a crucial prerequisite for successful invasion and is orchestrated by the interplay between mycoplasma surface adhesins and specific receptors on the host cell membrane. Invasion relies heavily on clathrin‐ and caveolae‐mediated internalization, accompanied by multiple activated kinases, cytoskeletal rearrangement, and a myriad of morphological alterations, such as membrane invagination, nuclear hypertrophy and aggregation, cytoplasmic edema, and vacuolization. Once mycoplasma successfully invade host cells, they establish resilient sanctuaries in vesicles, cytoplasm, perinuclear regions, and the nucleus, wherein specific environmental conditions favor long‐term survival. Although lysosomal degradation and autophagy can eliminate most invading mycoplasmas, some viable bacteria can be released into the extracellular environment via exocytosis, a crucial factor in the prolonging infection persistence. This review explores the intricate mechanisms by which mycoplasma invades host cells and perpetuates their elusive survival, with the aim of highlighting the challenge of eradicating this enigmatic bacterium.
iFLAS: positive‐unlabeled learning facilitates full‐length transcriptome‐based identification and functional exploration of alternatively spliced isoforms in maize
Authors: Xu Feng , Liu Songyu , Zhao Anwen , Shang Meiqi , Wang Qian , Jiang Shuqin , Cheng Qian , Chen Xingming , Zhai Xiaoguang , Zhang Jianan , Wang Xiangfeng , Yan Jun
Published: January 2024

The advent of full‐length transcriptome sequencing technologies has accelerated the discovery of novel splicing isoforms. However, existing alternative splicing (AS) tools are either tailored for short‐read RNA‐Seq data or designed for human and animal studies. The disparities in AS patterns between plants and animals still pose a challenge to the reliable identification and functional exploration of novel isoforms in plants.

Here, we developed integrated full‐length alternative splicing analysis (iFLAS), a plant‐optimized AS toolkit that introduced a semi‐supervised machine learning method known as positive‐unlabeled (PU) learning to accurately identify novel isoforms. iFLAS also enables the investigation of AS functions from various perspectives, such as differential AS, poly(A) tail length, and allele‐specific AS (ASAS) analyses.

By applying iFLAS to three full‐length transcriptome sequencing datasets, we systematically identified and functionally characterized maize (Zea mays) AS patterns. We found intron retention not only introduces premature termination codons, resulting in lower expression levels of isoforms, but may also regulate the length of 3′UTR and poly(A) tail, thereby affecting the functional differentiation of isoforms. Moreover, we observed distinct ASAS patterns in two genes within heterosis offspring, highlighting their potential value in breeding.

These results underscore the broad applicability of iFLAS in plant full‐length transcriptome‐based AS research.
Researchers barking up (the right) tree find new mechanisms controlling methane transport by woody vegetation
Authors: Ward N. D. , Megonigal J. P.
Published: January 2024

This article is a Commentary on Jeffrey et al. (2024), 242: 49–60.
Pulsed radiofrequency of lumbar dorsal root ganglion for lumbar radicular pain: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Park Soyoon , Park Ji‐Hoon , Jang Jae Ni , Choi Su‐il , Song Yumin , Kim Young Uk , Park Sukhee
Published: January 2024

Background

Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) of the lumbar dorsal root ganglion (DRG) has been widely used as a method to relieve lumbar radicular pain (LRP). However, the value of PRF application in LRP patients remains uncertain. This systematic review aimed to compare the effects of PRF of lumbar DRG and LEI in patients with LRP.

Methods

A literature search was performed using well‐known databases for articles published up to May 2023. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effects of PRF compared to LEI with or without steroids. We screened articles, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias in duplicate. The pain scores and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores at 1, 3, and 6 months after procedures were obtained. A random‐effects meta‐analysis model was applied for outcomes. We evaluated evidence certainty for each outcome using the GRADE scoring system. This review was registered in the PROSPERO (ID: CRD42021253628).

Results

A total of 10 RCTs were included and data of 613 patients were retrieved. We assessed the overall quality of the evidence as very low to moderate. PRF showed no difference in pain scores at 1 (mean difference [MD] −0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] –1.59 to 0.00, low certainty) and 6 months (MD –2.37, 95% CI –4.79 to 0.05, very low certainty), and significantly improved pain scores at 3 months (MD –1.31, 95% CI –2.29 to −0.33, low certainty). There was no significant difference in ODI score at any interval (very low to low certainty). In the subgroup who underwent a diagnostic block, did not use steroids, and PRF duration greater than 360 s, PRF significantly reduced pain scores at 3 months after procedures.

Conclusions

We found low quality of the evidence supporting adjuvant PRF to the lumbar DRG has a greater analgesic effect at 3 months after procedures in patients with LRP than LEI. We identified no convincing evidence to show that this treatment improves function. High‐quality evidence is lacking, and data were largely derived from short‐term effects. Given these limitations, high‐quality trials with data on long‐term effects are needed.
The importance of species‐specific and temperature‐sensitive parameterisation of A/Ci models: A case study using cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and the automated ‘OptiFitACi’ R‐package
Authors: Sargent Demi , Amthor Jeffrey S. , Stinziano Joseph R. , Evans John R. , Whitney Spencer M. , Bange Michael P. , Tissue David T. , Conaty Warren C. , Sharwood Robert E.
Published: January 2024

Leaf gas exchange measurements are an important tool for inferring a plant's photosynthetic biochemistry. In most cases, the responses of photosynthetic CO2 assimilation to variable intercellular CO2 concentrations (A/Ci response curves) are used to model the maximum (potential) rate of carboxylation by ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco, Vcmax) and the rate of photosynthetic electron transport at a given incident photosynthetically active radiation flux density (PAR; JPAR). The standard Farquhar‐von Caemmerer‐Berry model is often used with default parameters of Rubisco kinetic values and mesophyll conductance to CO2 (gm) derived from tobacco that may be inapplicable across species. To study the significance of using such parameters for other species, here we measured the temperature responses of key in vitro Rubisco catalytic properties and gm in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum cv. Sicot 71) and derived Vcmax and J2000 (JPAR at 2000 µmol m−2 s−1 PAR) from cotton A/Ci curves incrementally measured at 15°C–40°C using cotton and other species‐specific sets of input parameters with our new automated fitting R package ‘OptiFitACi’. Notably, parameterisation by a set of tobacco parameters produced unrealistic J2000:Vcmax ratio of <1 at 25°C, two‐ to three‐fold higher estimates of Vcmax above 15°C, up to 2.3‐fold higher estimates of J2000 and more variable estimates of Vcmax and J2000, for our cotton data compared to model parameterisation with cotton‐derived values. We determined that errors arise when using a gm,25 of 2.3 mol m−2 s−1 MPa−1 or less and Rubisco CO2‐affinities in 21% O2 (KC21%O2) at 25°C outside the range of 46–63 Pa to model A/Ci responses in cotton. We show how the A/Ci modelling capabilities of ‘OptiFitACi’ serves as a robust, user‐friendly, and flexible extension of ‘plantecophys’ by providing simplified temperature‐sensitivity and species‐specificity parameterisation capabilities to reduce variability when modelling Vcmax and J2000.
Incidental News Exposure and Algorithmic Governance of Social Media Platforms in Ambient Journalism
Authors: Lege Liu , Ibrahim Norshahila
Published: January 2024

The emergence of social media platforms as the leading platform for people to access news has brought essential changes in journalism. People encounter news in a diffuse news environment. The news algorithmic distribution of social media platforms determines the content ecology of people's chance encounter with news, and the problems of information overload, information cocoon, vulgar news, and so on brought by news algorithmic distribution are becoming increasingly prominent. Algorithmic governance as a trend is unstoppable. This study adopts a qualitative research method to focus on the challenges and governance of the algorithmic distribution of news in social media to provide lessons for establishing an excellent online news ecosystem and promoting efficient management of cyberspace.
Periodic Composite Function-Based Approach for Designing Architected Materials With Programable Poisson’s Ratios
Authors: Zhang Yilong , Chen Bifa , Du Yuxuan , Qiao Ye , Wang Cunfu
Published: January 2024

Advances in additive manufacturing enable fabrication of architected materials composed of microstructures with extreme mechanical properties. In the design of such architected materials, the parameterization of microstructures determines not just the computational cost but also connectivity between adjacent microstructures. In this paper, we propose a periodic composite function (PCF)-based approach for designing microstructures. The shape of the microstructures is characterized by the value of the periodic composite functions. The proposed method can program microstructures with both positive and negative Poisson’s ratios by a small number of parameters. Furthermore, due to its implicit representation, the proposed method allows for continuously tiling of microstructures with different mechanical properties. Explicit geometric features of the PCF-based microstructures are extracted, and the condition to maintain connectivity between adjacent microstructures is derived. Based on the proposed approach, multiple groups of 2D and 3D microstructures with Poisson’s ratios ranging from negative to positive are presented. Combining with a deep neural network (DNN)-based surrogate model to predict macroscopic material properties of the microstructures, the proposed method is applied to the design of architected materials for elastic deformation control. Numerical examples on both microstructure representation and architected materials design are presented to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach.
PPML-Omics: A privacy-preserving federated machine learning method protects patients’ privacy in omic data
Authors: Zhou Juexiao , Chen Siyuan , Wu Yulian , Li Haoyang , Zhang Bin , Zhou Longxi , Hu Yan , Xiang Zihang , Li Zhongxiao , Chen Ningning , Han Wenkai , Xu Chencheng , Wang Di , Gao Xin
Published: January 2024

Modern machine learning models toward various tasks with omic data analysis give rise to threats of privacy leakage of patients involved in those datasets. Here, we proposed a secure and privacy-preserving machine learning method (PPML-Omics) by designing a decentralized differential private federated learning algorithm. We applied PPML-Omics to analyze data from three sequencing technologies and addressed the privacy concern in three major tasks of omic data under three representative deep learning models. We examined privacy breaches in depth through privacy attack experiments and demonstrated that PPML-Omics could protect patients’ privacy. In each of these applications, PPML-Omics was able to outperform methods of comparison under the same level of privacy guarantee, demonstrating the versatility of the method in simultaneously balancing the privacy-preserving capability and utility in omic data analysis. Furthermore, we gave the theoretical proof of the privacy-preserving capability of PPML-Omics, suggesting the first mathematically guaranteed method with robust and generalizable empirical performance in protecting patients’ privacy in omic data.