bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conditions of distance learning and teaching and their relation to elementary school children’s basic number skills after the suspension of face-to-face teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Orbach Lars , Fritz Annemarie , Haase Vitor Geraldi , Dowker Ann , Räsänen Pekka
Published: February 2023

The suspension of face-to-face teaching, due to the COVID-19 social distancing regulations, raised serious concerns about the impacts on children’s academic learning. Because the implementation of distance education in Germany was entirely the responsibility of individual schools, and because the home learning environments varied across households, school children had very different learning conditions during the pandemic. This fact raises questions whether the conditions of distance learning has impacted children’s development of basic number skills. In this paper, descriptive information on children’s home learning conditions and teachers’ distance teaching approaches during the pandemic, socio-cultural capital, and basic number skills of 484 third and fourth grade students (51.2% girls) in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany) are assessed. The data revealed risk factors such as not having a tablet/laptop, lack of access to the internet, or a learning environment with siblings without an adult family member present. A negative association was found between multiple risk factors (at-risk levels) in home learning and basic number skills. This link was partially mediated by socio-cultural capital and moderated by teachers’ distance teaching approach. Children whose teachers applied a more personalized teaching approach showed fewer negative relations between at-risk levels and basic number skills. While no evidence was observed for positive effects of videoconferencing, school-based emergency classes, or private tutoring on basic number skills, children whose learning was supported by learning management systems showed better skills than their peers. The findings highlight the differential impact of home-based learning conditions during the pandemic and provide practical implications for realization of distance teaching.
Relationship of iodine excess with thyroid function in 6-year-old children living in an iodine-replete area
Authors: Lee Yun Jeong , Cho Sun Wook , Lim Youn-Hee , Kim Bung-Nyun , Kim Johanna Inhyang , Hong Yun-Chul , Park Young Joo , Shin Choong Ho , Lee Young Ah
Published: February 2023

Background

Adequate iodine intake is essential for growing children, as both deficient and excessive iodine status can result in thyroid dysfunction. We investigated the iodine status and its association with thyroid function in 6-year-old children from South Korea.

Methods

A total of 439 children aged 6 (231 boys and 208 girls) were investigated from the Environment and Development of Children cohort study. The thyroid function test included free thyroxine (FT4), total triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Urine iodine status was evaluated using urine iodine concentration (UIC) in morning spot urine and categorized into iodine deficient (< 100 μg/L), adequate (100–199 μg/L), more than adequate (200–299 μg/L), mild excessive (300–999 μg/L), and severe excessive (≥ 1000 μg/L) groups. The estimated 24-hour urinary iodine excretion (24h-UIE) was also calculated.

Results

The median TSH level was 2.3 μIU/mL, with subclinical hypothyroidism detected in 4.3% of patients without sex differences. The median UIC was 606.2 μg/L, with higher levels in boys (684 μg/L vs. 545 μg/L, p = 0.021) than girls. Iodine status was categorized as deficient (n = 19, 4.3%), adequate (n = 42, 9.6%), more than adequate (n = 54, 12.3%), mild excessive (n = 170, 38.7%), or severe excessive (n = 154, 35.1%). After adjusting for age, sex, birth weight, gestational age, body mass index z-score, and family history, both the mild and severe excess groups showed lower FT4 (β = − 0.04, p = 0.032 for mild excess; β = − 0.04, p = 0.042 for severe excess) and T3 levels (β = − 8.12, p = 0.009 for mild excess; β = − 9.08, p = 0.004 for severe excess) compared to the adequate group. Log-transformed estimated 24h-UIE showed a positive association with log-transformed TSH levels (β = 0.04, p = 0.046).

Conclusion

Excess iodine was prevalent (73.8%) in 6-year-old Korean children. Excess iodine was associated with a decrease in FT4 or T3 levels and an increase in TSH levels. The longitudinal effects of iodine excess on later thyroid function and health outcomes require further investigation.
Modulation of social behavior by distinct vasopressin sources
Authors: Rigney Nicole , de Vries Geert J. , Petrulis Aras
Published: February 2023

The neuropeptide arginine-vasopressin (AVP) is well known for its peripheral effects on blood pressure and antidiuresis. However, AVP also modulates various social and anxiety-related behaviors by its actions in the brain, often sex-specifically, with effects typically being stronger in males than in females. AVP in the nervous system originates from several distinct sources which are, in turn, regulated by different inputs and regulatory factors. Based on both direct and indirect evidence, we can begin to define the specific role of AVP cell populations in social behavior, such as, social recognition, affiliation, pair bonding, parental behavior, mate competition, aggression, and social stress. Sex differences in function may be apparent in both sexually-dimorphic structures as well as ones without prominent structural differences within the hypothalamus. The understanding of how AVP systems are organized and function may ultimately lead to better therapeutic interventions for psychiatric disorders characterized by social deficits.
A pore-scale study on the dynamics of spontaneous imbibition for heterogeneous sandstone gas reservoirs
Authors: Wang Mingchuan , Wang Ran , Yuan Shuai , Zhou Fujian
Published: February 2023

The underlying mechanism for spontaneous imbibition in a water–gas system plays a significant role in hydraulic fracturing in sandstone gas reservoirs. The objective of this study is to characterize the heterogeneity of low-permeability sandstones and investigate their effect on spontaneous imbibition from the perspective of the pore scale. We selected different cores with various pore structures and heterogeneity to evaluate their impact on the dynamics of spontaneous imbibition. The heterogeneities of the cores are contributed from the clay mineral distribution and are characterized through CT scans. The results show that clay minerals have higher CT numbers than the core matrix and that micropores are predominantly distributed in clay particles rather than in the core matrix. Additionally, the water imbibition rate of micropores is larger than that of the macropores, and when the porosities are similar, the water imbibition rate is increased with decreasing permeability. Moreover, the results of 1D frequency scans show that the distribution of water at different locations in the core is governed by the distribution of clay particles. These findings can help us further understand the distribution of fracturing fluids in the heterogeneous low-permeability sandstone reservoirs.
Sustainability reporting indicators used by oil and gas companies in GCC countries: IPIECA guidance approach
Authors: Aljanadi Yaseen , Alazzani Abdulsamad
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this article is to assess the quality of the sustainability reporting indicators used by oil and gas companies (OGCs) in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. This study utilizes the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) guidance as a new robust methodology to assess the quality of sustainability reporting, which is considered a comprehensive benchmark that directly relates to the oil and gas sector. This study conducts a content analysis of the sustainability reports published by OGCs in GCC countries for the 2016–2018 period. The results reveal that the quality of the sustainability indicators disclosed by companies is largely unsuitable. The results also show that companies fail to report detailed information on environmental indicators as the most important category for OGCs. The findings demonstrate that most OGCs in Qatar pay more attention to sustainable reporting indicators than the OGCs in other GCC countries. This study successfully addresses many previously outstanding issues regarding the quality of the sustainability reporting indicators used by OGCs in GCC countries. Hence, the findings paint a clear picture of the situation so that regulators, policymakers, and managers can correct the existing shortcomings in the quality of sustainability reporting and promote sustainability reporting guidance best practices.
Does urbanization reduce the multi-functional value of cultivated land? Evidence from China
Authors: Shi Wei , Liu Dandan
Published: February 2023

The contradiction between urbanization and cultivated land conservation needs to be resolved urgently. The coupling of cultivated land production, compound utilization and ecological protection is a hot topic for policymakers and researchers. Based on the panel data of 31 provinces in China from 2002 to 2018, this paper estimated the impact of urbanization on the quantity and structure of cultivated land functional value using a fixed effect model. The results show that the multi-functional value of cultivated land fluctuates in time series. There was obvious synergistic relationship among different functions of cultivated land, and the synergistic relationship was gradually weakened. Urbanization did not decrease the multi-functional value of cultivated land, and the producing function of cultivated land was improved most obviously. The value of producing function and social security function in main-producing areas is the most obvious response to urbanization. The culture of main marketing areas has the highest response to urbanization, and urbanization has reduced the ecological function of grain main marketing areas. Urbanization has reduced the diversified types of cultivated land, and the function positioning of cultivated land is gradually obvious. Therefore, policymakers should pay attention to the dialectical relationship between the total amount and structure of multi-functional cultivated land and implement regional differentiation policy of multi-functional cultivated land utilization.
The gene spectrum of thalassemia in Yangjiang of western Guangdong Province
Authors: Liang Hong-Feng , Liang Wei-Min , Xie Wen-Guang , Lin Fen , Liu Li-Li , Li Lie-Jun , Ge Yi-Yuan , Lu Min , Liao Yu-Wei , Zeng Guang-Kuan , Yao Jin-Xiu , Situ Jing-Wei , Yang Li-Ye
Published: February 2023

Background: Thalassemia presents a higher incidence in southern China. The objective of this study is to analyze the genotype distribution of thalassemia in Yangjiang, a western city of Guangdong Province in China.

Methods: The genotypes of suspected cases with thalassemia were tested by PCR and reverse dot blot (RDB). Unidentified rare thalassemia genotypes of the samples were further ascertained by PCR and direct DNA sequencing.

Results: Among 22467 suspected cases with thalassemia, 7658 cases were found with thalassemia genotypes using our PCR-RDB kit. Among these 7658 cases, 5313 cases were found with α-thalassemia (α-thal) alone, --SEA/αα was the most common genotype, accounting for 61.75% of α-thal genotypes, and the following mutations were found: α3.7/αα, -α4.2/αα, αCSα/αα, αWSα/αα, and αQSα/αα. A total of 2032 cases were found with β-thalassemia (β-thal) alone. βCD41-42/βN, βIVS−II−654/βN, and β−28/βN accounted for 80.9% of all β-thal genotypes, and the following genotypes were found: βCD17/βN, βCD71-72/βN, and βE/βN. Compound heterozygotes of β-thal and β-thalassemia homozygotes were identified in 11 and five cases, respectively, in this study. α-thal combined with β-thal was identified in 313 cases, showing 57 genotype combinations of the coincidence of both Hb disorders; one extreme patient had a genotype of --SEA/αWSα and βCD41-42/β−28. In addition, four rare α-mutations (--THAI, HKαα, Hb Q-Thailand, and CD31 AGG>AAG) and six rare β-mutations (CD39 CAG>TAG, IVS-Ⅱ-2 (−T), −90(C>T), Chinese Gγ+(Aγδβ)0, CD104 (-G), and CD19 A>G) were also found in this study population.

Conclusion: This study provided detailed genotypes of thalassemia in Yangjiang of western Guangdong Province in China and reflected the complexity of genotypes in this high-prevalence region, and this would be valuable for diagnosis and counseling for thalassemia in this area.
Immunosuppressive capacity of circulating MDSC predicts response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in melanoma patients
Authors: Petrova Vera , Groth Christopher , Bitsch Rebekka , Arkhypov Ihor , Simon Sonja C. S. , Hetjens Svetlana , Müller Verena , Utikal Jochen , Umansky Viktor
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Although the treatment of advanced melanoma patients with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) significantly increased the therapeutic efficiency, many patients remain resistant to ICI that could be due to immunosuppression mediated by myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). These cells are enriched and activated in melanoma patients and could be considered as therapeutic targets. Here we studied dynamic changes in immunosuppressive pattern and activity of circulating MDSC from melanoma patients treated with ICI.

Experimental design

MDSC frequency, immunosuppressive markers and function were evaluated in freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 29 melanoma patients receiving ICI. Blood samples were taken prior and during the treatment and analyzed by flow cytometry and bio-plex assay.

Results

MDSC frequency was significantly increased before the therapy and through three months of treatment in non-responders as compared to responders. Prior to the ICI therapy, MDSC from non-responders displayed high levels of immunosuppression measured by the inhibition of T cell proliferation assay, whereas MDSC from responding patients failed to inhibit T cells. Patients without visible metastasis were characterized by the absence of MDSC immunosuppressive activity during the ICI treatment. Moreover, non-responders showed significantly higher IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations before therapy and after the first ICI application as compared to responders.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the role of MDSC during melanoma progression and suggest that frequency and immunosuppressive activity of circulating MDSC before and during the ICI treatment of melanoma patients could be used as biomarkers of response to ICI therapy.
C. elegans orphan nuclear receptor NHR-42 represses innate immunity and promotes lipid loss downstream of HLH-30/TFEB
Authors: Goswamy Debanjan , Gonzalez Xavier , Labed Sid A. , Irazoqui Javier E.
Published: February 2023

In recent years, transcription factors of the Microphthalmia-TFE (MiT) family, including TFEB and TFE3 in mammals and HLH-30 in Caenorhabditis elegans, have emerged as important regulators of innate immunity and inflammation in invertebrates and vertebrates. Despite great strides in knowledge, the mechanisms that mediate downstream actions of MiT transcription factors in the context of innate host defense remain poorly understood. Here, we report that HLH-30, which promotes lipid droplet mobilization and host defense, induces the expression of orphan nuclear receptor NHR-42 during infection with Staphylococcus aureus. Remarkably, NHR-42 loss of function promoted host infection resistance, genetically defining NHR-42 as an HLH-30-controlled negative regulator of innate immunity. During infection, NHR-42 was required for lipid droplet loss, suggesting that it is an important effector of HLH-30 in lipid immunometabolism. Moreover, transcriptional profiling of nhr-42 mutants revealed wholesale activation of an antimicrobial signature, of which abf-2, cnc-2, and lec-11 were important for the enhanced survival of infection of nhr-42 mutants. These results advance our knowledge of the mechanisms by which MiT transcription factors promote host defense, and by analogy suggest that TFEB and TFE3 may similarly promote host defense via NHR-42-homologous nuclear receptors in mammals.
IL-12α deficiency attenuates pressure overload-induced cardiac inflammation, hypertrophy, dysfunction, and heart failure progression
Authors: Bhattarai Umesh , He Xiaochen , Xu Rui , Liu Xiaoguang , Pan Lihong , Sun Yuxiang , Chen Jian-Xiong , Chen Yingjie
Published: February 2023

IL-12α plays an important role in modulating inflammatory response, fibroblast proliferation and angiogenesis through modulating macrophage polarization or T cell function, but its effect on cardiorespiratory fitness is not clear. Here, we studied the effect of IL-12α on cardiac inflammation, hypertrophy, dysfunction, and lung remodeling in IL-12α gene knockout (KO) mice in response to chronic systolic pressure overload produced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Our results showed that IL-12α KO significantly ameliorated TAC-induced left ventricular (LV) failure, as evidenced by a smaller decrease of LV ejection fraction. IL-12α KO also exhibited significantly attenuated TAC-induced increase of LV weight, left atrial weight, lung weight, right ventricular weight, and the ratios of them in comparison to body weight or tibial length. In addition, IL-12α KO showed significantly attenuated TAC-induced LV leukocyte infiltration, fibrosis, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and lung inflammation and remodeling (such as lung fibrosis and vessel muscularization). Moreover, IL-12α KO displayed significantly attenuated TAC-induced activation of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells in the lung. Furthermore, IL-12α KO showed significantly suppressed accumulation and activation of pulmonary macrophages and dendritic cells. Taken together, these findings indicate that inhibition of IL-12α is effective in attenuating systolic overload-induced cardiac inflammation, heart failure development, promoting transition from LV failure to lung remodeling and right ventricular hypertrophy.
Epstein-Barr virus DNA seropositivity links distinct tumoral heterogeneity and immune landscape in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Li Wangzhong , Lv Shuhui , Liu Guoying , Lu Nian , Jiang Yaofei , Liang Hu , Xia Weixiong , Xiang Yanqun , Xie Changqing , He Jianxing
Published: February 2023

Background

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA seronegative (Sero-) and seropositive (Sero+) nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) are distinctly different disease subtypes. Patients with higher baseline EBV DNA titers seem to benefit less from anti-PD1 immunotherapy, but underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Tumor microenvironment (TME) characteristics could be the important factor affecting the efficacy of immunotherapy. Here, we illuminated the distinct multicellular ecosystems of EBV DNA Sero- and Sero+ NPCs from cellular compositional and functional perspectives at single-cell resolution.

Method

We performed single-cell RNA sequencing analyses of 28,423 cells from ten NPC samples and one non-tumor nasopharyngeal tissue. The markers, function, and dynamics of related cells were analyzed.

Results

We found that tumor cells from EBV DNA Sero+ samples exhibit low-differentiation potential, stronger stemness signature, and upregulated signaling pathways associated with cancer hallmarks than that of EBV DNA Sero- samples. Transcriptional heterogeneity and dynamics in T cells were associated with EBV DNA seropositivity status, indicating different immunoinhibitory mechanisms employed by malignant cells depending on EBV DNA seropositivity status. The low expression of classical immune checkpoints, early-triggered cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response, global activation of IFN-mediated signatures, and enhanced cell-cell interplays cooperatively tend to form a specific immune context in EBV DNA Sero+ NPC.

Conclusions

Collectively, we illuminated the distinct multicellular ecosystems of EBV DNA Sero- and Sero+ NPCs from single-cell perspective. Our study provides insights into the altered tumor microenvironment of NPC associated with EBV DNA seropositivity, which will help direct the development of rational immunotherapy strategies.
Evaluating the mating competency of genetically modified male mosquitoes in laboratory conditions
Authors: Contreras Bryan , Adelman Zach N. , Chae Keun
Published: February 2023

Efforts to eradicate mosquito-borne diseases have increased the demand for genetic control strategies, many of which involve the release of genetically modified (GM) mosquito males into natural populations. The first hurdle for GM males is to compete with their wild-type counterparts for access to females. Here, we introduce an eye color-based mating assay, in which both Lvp wild-type and kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (kmo)-null males compete for access to kmo-null females, and therefore the eye color phenotype (black or white) of the progeny is dependent on the parental mating pair. A series of tests addressed that male mating competitiveness between the two strains can significantly be influenced by adult density, light intensity, and mating duration. Interestingly, the mating competitiveness of males was not correlated with body size, which was negatively influenced by a high larval density. Lastly, this eye color-associated assay was applied to characterize GM mosquitoes in their mating competitiveness, establishing this method as a fast and precise way of benchmarking this fitness parameter for laboratory-raised males.
Bioinformatic analysis for age prediction using epigenetic clocks: Application to fisheries management and conservation biology
Authors: Anastasiadi Dafni , Piferrer Francesc
Published: February 2023

Epigenetic clocks are accurate tools for age prediction and are of great interest for fisheries management and conservation biology. Here, we review the necessary computational steps and tools in order to build an epigenetic clock in any species focusing on fish. Currently, a bisulfite conversion method which allows the distinction of methylated and unmethylated cytosines is the recommended method to be performed at single nucleotide resolution. Typically, reduced representation bisulfite sequencing methods provide enough coverage of CpGs to select from for age prediction while the exact implemented method depends on the specific objectives and cost of the study. Sequenced reads are controlled for their quality, aligned to either a reference or a deduced genome and methylation levels of CpGs are extracted. Methylation values are obtained in biological samples of fish that cover the widest age range possible. Using these datasets, machine learning statistical procedures and, in particular, penalized regressions, are applied in order to identify a set of CpGs the methylation of which in combination is enough to accurately predict age. Training and test datasets are used to build the optimal model or “epigenetic clock”, which can then be used to predict age in independent samples. Once a set of CpGs is robustly identified to predict age in a given species, DNA methylation in only a small number of CpGs is necessary, thus, sequencing efforts including data and money resources can be adjusted to interrogate a small number of CpGs in a high number of samples. Implementation of this molecular resource in routine evaluations of fish population structure is expected to increase in the years to come due to high accuracy, robustness and decreasing costs of sequencing. In the context of overexploited fish stocks, as well as endangered fish species, accurate age prediction with easy-to-use tools is much needed for improved fish populations management and conservation.
Experimental and numerical study on the hydrodynamic behaviors of mooring line failure on a net cage in irregular waves and currents
Authors: Tang Hung-Jie , Yang Ray-Yeng , Yao Hao-Cheng
Published: February 2023

The failure of mooring lines in net cages could lead to the death or escape of farmed fish, which causes huge economic losses and immeasurable ecological impacts. Therefore, it is very important to ensure the safety of the cage mooring system in practical applications. This study experimentally and numerically investigates the hydrodynamic behaviors of the mooring line failure on a net cage in irregular waves and currents. For the model test, a 1:25 scaled net cage model with eight-point mooring is installed in a wave tank. The two load cells in its upstream mooring lines and a gyroscope on its floating collar are used to measure the mooring force and the rotational motions, respectively. A cutting device equipped with a pneumatic cylinder and a blade is used to cut the line. A self-developed numerical model is specifically established for the model test for cross-validation. Both experimental and numerical results are analyzed and compared in the time and frequency domains. The results show that the mooring load in the remaining line significantly increases as one of the upstream mooring lines is disconnected. Meanwhile, a significant yaw rotation of the floating collar is observed. The results indicate that the maximum tension, drift displacement, and rotational angles significantly increase as the current velocity increases.
Effects of inoculation with active microorganisms derived from adult goats on growth performance, gut microbiota and serum metabolome in newborn lambs
Authors: Fu Lin , Wang Liaochuan , Liu Li , Zhang Li , Zhou Ziyao , Zhou Yan , Wang Gaofu , Loor Juan J. , Zhou Peng , Dong Xianwen
Published: February 2023

This study evaluated the effects of inoculation with adult goat ruminal fluid on growth, health, gut microbiota and serum metabolism in lambs during the first 15 days of life. Twenty four Youzhou dark newborn lambs were selected and randomly distributed across 3 treatments (n = 8/group): autoclaved goat milk inoculated with 20 mL sterilized normal saline (CON), autoclaved goat milk inoculated with 20 mL fresh ruminal fluid (RF) and autoclaved goat milk inoculated with 20 mL autoclaved ruminal fluid (ARF). Results showed that RF inoculation was more effective at promoting recovery of body weight. Compared with CON, greater serum concentrations of ALP, CHOL, HDL and LAC in the RF group suggested a better health status in lambs. The relative abundance of Akkermansia and Escherichia-Shigella in gut was lower in the RF group, whereas the relative abundance of Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group tended to increase. Metabolomics analysis shown that RF stimulated the metabolism of bile acids, small peptides, fatty acids and Trimethylamine-N-Oxide, which were found the correlation relationship with gut microorganisms. Overall, our study demonstrated that ruminal fluid inoculation with active microorganisms had a beneficial impact on growth, health and overall metabolism partly through modulating the gut microbial community.
3D genome-selected microRNAs to improve Alzheimer's disease prediction
Authors: Li Keyi , Chi Runqiu , Liu Liangjie , Feng Mofan , Su Kai , Li Xia , He Guang , Shi Yi
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a type of neurodegenerative disease that has no effective treatment in its late stage, making the early prediction of AD critical. There have been an increase in the number of studies indicating that miRNAs play an important role in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease via epigenetic modifications including DNA methylation. Therefore, miRNAs may serve as excellent biomarkers in early AD prediction.

Methods

Considering that the non-coding RNAs' activity may be linked to their corresponding DNA loci in the 3D genome, we collected the existing AD-related miRNAs combined with 3D genomic data in this study. We investigated three machine learning models in this work under leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV): support vector classification (SVC), support vector regression (SVR), and knearest neighbors (KNNs).

Results

The prediction results of different models demonstrated the effectiveness of incorporating 3D genome information into the AD prediction models.

Discussion

With the assistance of the 3D genome, we were able to train more accurate models by selecting fewer but more discriminatory miRNAs, as witnessed by several ML models. These interesting findings indicate that the 3D genome has great potential to play an important role in future AD research.
Sociodemographic inequalities in vegetables, fruits, and animal source foods consumption in children aged 6–23 months from 91 LMIC
Authors: Ricardo Luiza I. C. , Gatica-Domínguez Giovanna , Neves Paulo A. R. , Vaz Juliana dos Santos , Barros Aluisio J. D. , Wehrmeister Fernando C.
Published: February 2023

Introduction

No multi-country analysis described patterns and inequalities for the brand-new feeding indicators proposed by WHO/UNICEF: zero consumption of vegetables and fruits (ZVF) and consumption of eggs and/or flesh (EFF). Our aim was to describe patterns in the prevalence and social inequalities of ZVF and EFF among children aged 6–23 months in low-and middle-income countries.

Methods

Data from nationally representative surveys (2010–2019) in 91 low-and middle-income countries were used to investigate within-country disparities in ZVF and EFF by place of residence, wealth quintiles, child sex and child age. The slope index of inequality was used to assess socioeconomic inequalities. Analyses were also pooled by World Bank income groups.

Results

The prevalence of ZVF was 44.8% and it was lowest in children from upper-middle income countries, from urban areas, and those 18–23 months. The slope index of inequality showed that socioeconomic inequalities in the prevalence of ZVF were higher among poor children in comparison to richest children (mean SII = −15.3; 95%CI: −18.5; −12.1). Overall, 42.1% of children consumed egg and/or flesh foods. Being a favorable indicator, findings for EFF were generally in the opposite direction than for ZVF. The prevalence was highest in children from upper-middle income countries, from urban areas, and those 18–23 months of age. The slope index of inequality showed pro-rich patterns in most countries (mean SII = 15.4; 95%CI: 12.2; 18.6).

Discussion

Our findings demonstrate that inequalities exist in terms of household wealth, place of residence, and age of the child in the prevalence of the new complementary feeding indicators. Moreover, children from low-and lower-middle countries had the lowest consumption of fruits, vegetables, eggs, and flesh foods. Such findings provide new insights towards effective approaches to tackle the malnutrition burden through optimal feeding practices.
Prevalence of hypertension in endemic and non-endemic areas of Keshan disease: A cross-sectional study in rural areas of China
Authors: Hou Jie , Zhu Lifang , Jin Shuran , Li Jinshu , Xing Zhifeng , Wang Yanling , Wan Xiaoyan , Guo Xianni , Wang Anwei , Wang Xiuhong , Liu Jinming , Ma Jing , Zhou Shuang , Zhang Xiangdong , Zheng Heming , Wang Jianhui , Feng Hongqi , Sun Shuqiu , Wang Tong
Published: February 2023

Background

Hypertension is a major public health concern that strongly influences the quality of life of people worldwide. Keshan disease (KD) is an endemic cardiomyopathy related to low selenium, threatening residents in rural areas of 16 provinces in China. Furthermore, the prevalence of hypertension in the KD-endemic areas has been increasing annually. However, hypertension research associated with KD has only focused on endemic regions, and no studies have compared hypertension prevalence between endemic and non-endemic areas. Therefore, this study investigated the prevalence of hypertension to provide a basis for preventing and controlling hypertension in the KD-endemic areas, even in rural areas.

Methods

We extracted blood pressure information from cardiomyopathy investigation data from a cross-sectional study of the KD-endemic and non-endemic areas. The hypertension prevalence between the two groups was compared using the Chi-square test or Fisher s exact test. Additionally, Pearson’s correlation coefficient was employed to evaluate the relationship between the per capita gross domestic product (GDP) and hypertension prevalence.

Results

There was a statistically significant increase of hypertension prevalence in the KD-endemic areas (22.79%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 22.30–23.27%) over the non-endemic areas (21.55%, 95% CI: 21.09–22.02%). In the KD-endemic areas, more men had hypertension than women (23.90% vs. 21.65%, P < 0.001). Furthermore, the hypertension prevalence was higher in the north than in the south in the KD-endemic areas (27.52% vs. 18.76%, P < 0.001), non-endemic areas (24.86% vs. 18.66%, P < 0.001), and overall (26.17% vs. 18.68%, P < 0.001). Finally, the prevalence of hypertension positively correlated with per capita GDP at province level.

Conclusions

The increasing hypertension prevalence is a public health problem in the KD-endemic areas. Healthy diets, such as high consumption of vegetables and seafoods, and foods that are rich in selenium, might help prevent and control hypertension in the KD-endemic areas and other rural areas in China.
Elevated triglyceride-glucose index predicts mortality following endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair
Authors: Li Tan , Yang Chao , Yang Jun , Jing Jingjing , Ma Chunyan
Published: February 2023

Background

Triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has been increasingly studied as a simple and reliable predictor of adverse events of some cardiovascular disorders. However, its prognostic effect on postoperative outcomes in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is still unknown. The current study aimed to explore the potential role of TyG index in predicting mortality of AAA patients following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).

Materials and methods

This retrospective cohort study analyzed the preoperative TyG index in a total of 188 AAA patients who underwent EVAR with the follow-up of 5 years. Data were analyzed with SPSS software Version 23.0. Association between the TyG index and all-cause mortality was evaluated using Cox regression models and Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

Cox regression analyses showed that per 1-unit increment of TyG index was significantly associated with an increased risk of postoperative 30-day, 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year mortality, even after adjustment for potential confounders (all P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis suggested that patients with high TyG index (≥8.68) had a worse overall survival (P = 0.007).

Conclusion

The elevated TyG index could be a promising predictive factor of postoperative mortality in AAA patients after EVAR.
Recent progress of hydrogel-based local drug delivery systems for postoperative radiotherapy
Authors: Xie Yandong , Liu Mingxi , Cai Chang , Ye Chengkun , Guo Tangjun , Yang Kun , Xiao Hong , Tang Xianglong , Liu Hongyi
Published: February 2023

Surgical resection and postoperative radiotherapy remained the most common therapeutic modalities for malignant tumors. However, tumor recurrence after receiving such combination is difficult to be avoided because of high invasiveness and radiation resistance of cancer cells during long-term therapy. Hydrogels, as novel local drug delivery systems, presented excellent biocompatibility, high drug loading capacity and sustained drug release property. Compared with conventional drug formulations, hydrogels are able to be administered intraoperatively and directly release the entrapped therapeutic agents to the unresectable tumor sites. Therefore, hydrogel-based local drug delivery systems have their unique advantages especially in sensitizing postoperative radiotherapy. In this context, classification and biological properties of hydrogels were firstly introduced. Then, recent progress and application of hydrogels for postoperative radiotherapy were summarized. Finally, the prospects and challenges of hydrogels in postoperative radiotherapy were discussed.
Identification of TSGA10 and GGNBP2 splicing variants in 5′ untranslated region with distinct expression profiles in brain tumor samples
Authors: Kazerani Reihane , Salehipour Pouya , Shah Mohammadi Mohammadreza , Amanzadeh Jajin Elnaz , Modarressi Mohammad Hossein
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Brain tumors (BTs) are perceived as one of the most common malignancies among children. The specific regulation of each gene can play a critical role in cancer progression. The present study aimed to determine the transcripts of the TSGA10 and GGNBP2 genes, considering the alternative 5′UTR region, and investigating the expression of these different transcripts in BTs.

Material and methods

Public data on brain tumor microarray datasets in GEO were analyzed with R software to evaluate the expression levels of TSGA10 and GGNBP2 genes (the Pheatmap package in R was also used to plot DEGs in a heat map). In addition, to validate our in-silico data analysis, RT-PCR was performed to determine the splicing variants of TSGA10 and GGNBP2 genes in testis and brain tumor samples. The expression levels of splice variants of these genes were analyzed in 30 brain tumor samples and two testicular tissue samples as a positive control.

Results

In silico results show that the differential expression levels of TSGA10 and GGNBP2 were significant in the GEO datasets of BTs compared to normal samples (with adjusted p-value<0.05 and log fold change > 1). This study’s experimental results showed that the TSGA10 gene produces four different transcripts with two distinct promoter regions and splicing exon 4. The relative mRNA expression of transcripts without exon 4 was higher than transcripts with exon 4 in BT samples (p-value<001). In GGNBP2, exon 2 in the 5′UTR region and exon 6 in the coding sequence were spliced. The expression analysis results showed that the relative mRNA expression of transcript variants without exon 2 was higher than other transcript variants with exon 2 in BT samples (p-value<001).

Conclusion

The decreased expression levels of transcripts with longer 5′UTR in BT samples than in testicular or low-grade brain tumor samples may decrease their translation efficiency. Therefore, decreased amounts of TSGA10 and GGNBP2 as potential tumor suppressor proteins, especially in high-grade brain tumors, may cause cancer development by angiogenesis and metastasis.
UBE2S and UBE2C confer a poor prognosis to breast cancer via downregulation of Numb
Authors: Guo Yanjing , Chen Xinyu , Zhang Xiaowei , Hu Xichun
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes E2S (UBE2S) and E2C (UBE2C), which mediate the biological process of ubiquitination, have been widely reported in various cancers. Numb, the cell fate determinant and tumor suppressor, was also involved in ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. However, the interaction between UBE2S/UBE2C and Numb and their roles in the clinical outcome of breast cancer (BC) are not widely elucidated.

Methods

Oncomine, Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE), the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database, qRT-PCR, and Western blot analyses were utilized to analyze UBE2S/UBE2C and Numb expression in various cancer types and their respective normal controls, breast cancer tissues, and breast cancer cell lines. The expression of UBE2S, UBE2C, and Numb in BC patients with different ER, PR, and HER2 status, grades, stages, and survival status was compared. By Kaplan–Meier plotter, we further evaluated the prognostic value of UBE2S, UBE2C, and Numb in BC patients. We also explored the potential regulatory mechanisms underlying UBE2S/UBE2C and Numb through overexpression and knockdown experiments in BC cell lines and performed growth and colony formation assays to assess cell malignancy.

Results

In this study, we showed that UBE2S and UBE2C were overexpressed while Numb was downregulated in BC, and in BC of higher grade, stage, and poor survival. Compared to hormone receptor negative (HR−) BC cell lines or tissues, HR+ BC demonstrated lower UBE2S/UBE2C and higher Numb, corresponding to better survival. We also showed that increased UBE2S/UBE2C and reduced Numb predicted poor prognosis in BC patients, as well as in ER+ BC patients. In BC cell lines, UBE2S/UBE2C overexpression decreased the level of Numb and enhanced cell malignancy, while knocking down UBE2S/UBE2C demonstrated the opposite effects.

Conclusion

UBE2S and UBE2C downregulated Numb and enhanced BC malignancy. The combination of UBE2S/UBE2C and Numb could potentially serve as novel biomarkers for BC.
Value of extracorporeal artificial liver support in pediatric acute liver failure: A single-center experience of over 10 years
Authors: Ocak Ilhan
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a life-threatening disease characterized by rapid-onset liver dysfunction, coagulopathy, and encephalopathy in patients without chronic liver disease. Today, the combined application of continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) and plasma exchange (PEX), which are forms of supportive extracorporeal therapy (SECT), with conventional liver therapy in ALF is recommended. This study aims to retrospectively analyze the effects of combined SECT in pediatric patients with ALF.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 42 pediatric patients, followed in the liver transplantation intensive care unit. The patients had ALF and received PEX supportive therapy with combined CVVHDF. The biochemical lab values of the results for the patients before the first combined SECT and after the last combined SECT were analyzed comparatively.

Results

Of the pediatric patients included in our study, 20 were girls and 22 were boys. Liver transplantation was performed in 22 patients, and 20 patients recovered without transplantation. After the discontinuation of combined SECT, all patients had significantly lower serum liver function test results (total bilirubin, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase), ammonia, and prothrombin time/international normalized ratio levels than the previous levels (p < 0.01). Hemodynamic parameters (i.e., mean arterial pressure) also improved significantly.

Discussion and Conclusion

Combined CVVHDF and PEX treatment significantly improved biochemical parameters and clinical findings, including encephalopathy, in pediatric patients with ALF. PEX therapy combined with CVVHDF is a proper supportive therapy for bridging or recovery.
Current state of phoenixin—the implications of the pleiotropic peptide in stress and its potential as a therapeutic target
Authors: Friedrich T. , Stengel A.
Published: February 2023

Phoenixin is a pleiotropic peptide, whose known functions have broadened significantly over the last decade. Initially first described as a reproductive peptide in 2013, phoenixin is now recognized as being implicated in hypertension, neuroinflammation, pruritus, food intake, anxiety as well as stress. Due to its wide field of involvement, an interaction with physiological as well as psychological control loops has been speculated. It has shown to be both able to actively reduce anxiety as well as being influenced by external stressors. Initial rodent models have shown that central administration of phoenixin alters the behavior of the subjects when confronted with stress-inducing situations, proposing an interaction with the perception and processing of stress and anxiety. Although the research on phoenixin is still in its infancy, there are several promising insights into its functionality, which might prove to be of value in the pharmacological treatment of several psychiatric and psychosomatic illnesses such as anorexia nervosa, post-traumatic stress disorder as well as the increasingly prevalent stress-related illnesses of burnout and depression. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge of phoenixin, its interactions with physiological processes as well as focus on the recent developments in stress response and the possible novel treatment options this might entail.
Exploring the mechanism of anti-chronic heart failure effect of qiweiqiangxin І granules based on metabolomics
Authors: Zhong Wanru , Li Yihua , Zhong Haixiang , Cheng Yuanyuan , Chen Qi , Zhao Xinjun , Liu Zhongqiu , Li Rong , Zhang Rong
Published: February 2023

Background: Qiweiqiangxin І granules (QWQX І) is a traditional Chinese medicine preparation based on the basic theory of traditional Chinese medicine, which produces a good curative effect in treating chronic heart failure (CHF). However, its pharmacological effect and potential mechanism for CHF remain unknown.

Aim of the study: The purpose of this study is to clarify the efficacy of QWQX І and its possible mechanisms.

Materials and methods: A total of 66 patients with CHF were recruited and randomly assigned to the control or QWQX І groups. The primary endpoint was the effect of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after 4 weeks of treatment. The LAD artery of rats was occluded to establish the model of CHF. Echocardiography, HE and Masson staining were performed to evaluate the pharmacological effect of QWQX І against CHF. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS) untargeted metabolomics was to screen endogenous metabolites in rat plasma and heart and elucidate the mechanism of QWQX І against CHF. Results: In the clinical study, a total of 63 heart failure patients completed the 4-week follow-up, including 32 in the control group and 31 in QWQX І group. After 4 weeks of treatment, LVEF was significantly improved in QWQX І group compared with the control group. In addition, the patients in QWQX І group had better quality of life than the control group. In animal studies, QWQX І significantly improved cardiac function, decreased B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, and inhibited collagen fibril rate. Untargeted metabolomic analysis revealed that 23 and 34 differential metabolites were screened in the plasma and heart of chronic heart failure rats, respectively. 17 and 32 differential metabolites appeared in plasma and heart tissue after QWQX І treatment, which were enriched to taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism and linolenic acid metabolism by KEGG analysis. LysoPC (16:1 (9Z)) is a common differential metabolite in plasma and heart, which is produced by lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), hydrolyzes oxidized linoleic acid to produce pro-inflammatory substances. QWQX І regulates the level of LysoPC (16:1 (9Z)) and Lp-PLA2 to normal.

Conclusion: QWQX І combined with western medicine can improve the cardiac function of patients with CHF. QWQX І can effectively improve the cardiac function of LAD-induced CHF rats through regulating glycerophospholipid metabolism and linolenic acid metabolism-mediated inflammatory response. Thus, QWQX I might provide a potential strategy for CHF therapy.
Effects of ionosphere dispersion on wideband GNSS signals
Authors: Zhao Danning , Lei Yu
Published: February 2023

Wideband GNSS signals suffer signal distortions such as waveform deformations and correlation peak reduction when traverse the ionosphere. Basing on the standard model of the ionosphere, we first demonstrate a modified ionosphere model to capture the ionosphere dispersion effects on wideband signals. We decompose the first-order ionosphere model into Taylor series. By using the first three terms of Taylor series, it is possible to account for all frequency components of wideband signals rather than treating them as single tone. We then make an analysis of the ionosphere dispersion effects on wideband GNSS signal tracking. It is revealed that the ionosphere dispersion degrades correlation peak results and shifts carrier-phase in the phase locked loop (PLL) output but dose not cause an additional delay for code measurements. Furthermore, we carry out a simulation for evaluating the ionosphere dispersion effects on tracking of various new generation wideband GNSS signals such as Galileo E5 AltBOC(15, 10) signals and BDS B3 BOC(15, 2.5) signals during ionosphere quietness and activities. The results show that the wider the bandwidth and the greater the total electron content (TEC) values, the more dramatic the ionosphere effects are. The Galileo E5 AltBOC(15, 10) signals are most affected among various wideband GNSS signals. For AltBOC(15, 10) signal tracking the correlation power loss is around 0.1 dB and the carrier-phase change is about 20° caused by the dispersion in quiet ionosphere case, and increases up to 0.35 dB and 33° during ionosphere activities, respectively.