bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Contrastive Study of Orientational Metaphor between Korean and Myanmar Language: Focusing on 'up-down' Metaphor
Authors:   The Korean Society of Culture and Convergence, Mya Myint Zu , Cui Yonglin
Published: August 2023

The purpose of this study is to clarify the differences and similarities between Korean and Myanmar language by contrasting ‘up-down’ metaphor expressions. In this study, the orientational metaphor of conceptual metaphor theory which is based on everyday experience, physical experience and socio-cultural experience. In Korean and Myanmar Language, ‘up-down’ metaphor was contrasted in terms of criteria, age, status, position in writing, geographical location, quantity, evaluation, emotion, sphere of influence and consciousness. It can be seen that there is universality in the process of conceptualization of ‘up-down’ metaphor in both language. And there is relativity in the language expression when conceptualized from the perspective of criteria and age. In Korean, up-down metaphor used as a direct expression but in Myanmar. it used as a specific expression. So, this paper can help to understand the similarities and differences between languages and cultures. And it can be an important resource for helping korean learners and for using metaphors correctly.
A Study on the Social and Cultural Aspects of Chinese COVID-19 New Words
Authors:   The Korean Society of Culture and Convergence, Zhang Yuanyuan
Published: August 2023

This study sought to analyze the factors that changed China's social and cultural phenomena by classifying and defining new words in China during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. This study selected high-frequency new words as the subject of analysis by referring to the dictionary “2020 Chinese New Words” published by “China National Language Resources Surveillance Word Book” and data such as the Internet and SNS. According to the characteristics of the new word, it was classified into four categories: technical terms, new words, new use of old words, and Internet terms. In addition, the analysis of social and cultural phenomena and factors in China's COVID-19 is largely divided into three categories: social and cultural background, linguistic factors, and the development of information media. The study of the new language phenomenon has theoretical and academic research value in modern language applications, and at the same time, it is expected to provide meaningful reference materials to researchers who want to understand language changes and social and cultural phenomena that occurred during the COVID-19 era in China.
A Study on Gestures to Propose the Concept of ‘Jun Jihyun effect’: Focusing on the Girl (Jun Jihyun) in My Sassy Girl (2001)
Authors:   The Korean Society of Culture and Convergence, Nam Seung Suk
Published: August 2023

This study analyzes the aggressive gestures of her (Jun Jihyeon) in  (2001) as a star actor's performance based on Barry King and Paul McDonald, and proposes the concept of 'Jun Jihyeon effect' as a gesture of a new gender, and reconsiders its social implications and effects. The romantic aggression created by the heroine, the Girl’s aggressive gestures during this exploration process, and the resulting pleasure are called the 'Jun Jihyun effect.' Although her gesture seems to symbolize sexual difference, in reality, it denotes sexual difference, visually embodying the process of gender performativity; that is, the gendered gestures are not absolute. The Girl’s gesture functions as a gender marker of Eastern Asian visual culture by embodying the gender identity of a new era through the Jun Jihyun effect in this sense.
SECTIONAL DYNAMICS PROBLEMS AND GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT IN THE RESOLUTION PROCESS OF AHMADIYYA SECT IN WEST NUSA TENGGARA PROVINCE
Authors: Gaol Alhoma R. Lumban , Primasari Vinda Verina Kartika Dewi , Malik Ichsan , Widodo Pujo
Published: August 2023

Ahmadiyah bukanlah gerakan keagamaan baru di Indonesia. Tulisan ini akan berfokus pada konflik kelompok Ahmadiyah di Provinsi Nusa Tenggara Barat yang memperlihatkan dan menggali dinamika dan resolusi konflik yang terjadi. Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan pendekatan deskriptif kualitatif. Dimana teknik pengambilan data melalui wawancara secara zoom meeting dengan informan Wakil Ketua Forum Kerukunan Umat Beragama Provinsi NTB. Adapun data sekunder pada penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian kepustakaan. Informasi yang dikumpulkan dan diolah peneliti berasal dari buku, artikel jurnal dan sumber lain yang dianggap kredibel dan relevan dengan penelitian yang dilakukan.  Adapun kesimpulan yang diperoleh bahwa, konflik Ahmadiyah di NTB termasuk pada konflik yang berlarut-larut. Dari mulai tahun 1998 hingga 2018 dibutuhkan lebih kurang 20 tahun dengan proses konflik yang tidak terduga bahkan nyaris tak usai karena belum optimalnya peran pemerintah daerah dalam menangani kasus Ahmadiyah tersebut. Pola Penanganan Konflik yang dilakukan FKUB NTB pada kasus Ahmadiyah dengan menggunakan Manajemen Konflik. Namun, belum dikembangkan secara serius terutama peace building dikarenakan tahap peace keeping dan peace making masih belum membuahkan hasil maka sulit untuk terdorongnya peace building di Nusa Tenggara Barat. Dalam rangka pemulihan kondisi sosial masyarakat di Nusa Tenggara Barat, sebaiknya pengintegrasian kehidupan masyarakat NTB dijadikan agenda utama pemerintah. Agenda yang tidak melulu tentang keagamaan namun merangkul dan melibatkan berbagai lapisan masyarakat guna membangun hubungan antar masyarakat.
A Literature Review: Relationship between Peer Group Education and Family Support on the Behavior of Early Detection of Breast Cancer by Breast Self-Examination in Adolescents
Authors: Soviadi Nabila Vebiana , Hastono Sutanto Priyo
Published: August 2023

Malignant tumors leading to breast cancer pose a serious threat to adolescents under the age of 17 with increasing cases of 8 to 10 in 2018. To prevent the spread of breast cancer, breast self-examination (BSE), known as SADARI in Indonesian, was introduced as a preventive measure. This study aimed to identify the relationship between peer group education and family support with BSE behavior among adolescents. Through a literature review, 10 relevant articles were found on Google Scholar and Pubmed database, spanning publication years from 2019 to 2023. These articles were selected based on criteria of reputable national and international journals, written either in English or in Indonesian, and employing cross-sectional study design and open access. The research findings indicated that peer group education and family support play a significant role in promoting BSE behavior in adolescents. Other factors such as knowledge, attitude, and information sources can also influence BSE behavior in adolescents. Therefore, a comprehensive approach of breast cancer prevention in adolescents should take into account various influencing factors to enhance the effectiveness of preventive efforts. Further research is encouraged to delve deeper into these factors, enabling the development of more precise and efficient breast cancer prevention strategies.
The Influence of Incentives, Motivation and Work Discipline on Employee Performance at Credit Union Filosofi Petani Pancur Kasih Pontianak
Authors: Alberd Alberd
Published: August 2023

This study aims to analyze the effect of incentives, motivation, and work discipline on employee performance at CU Filosofi Petani Pancur Kasih Pontianak. The instrument test used is the reliability test, validity test, statistical test (T-test, F test, and R2 test/coefficient of determination), and classical assumption test (multicollinearity test, heteroscedasticity test, and normality test). The number of samples was 37 people. This research is very important because it looks at the performance of CU Filosofi Petani Pancur Kasih employees in the last time bracket has decreased and this impact is certainly not good for the development of an organization, The data analysis method used in this study was multiple regression, All populations are 37 people and all of them (census) are sampled in this study to achieve a good level of precision.Partially, the incentive variable does not have a significant effect on the employee performance of CU Filosofi Petani Pancur Kasih Pontianak. However, motivation and discipline have a significant effect on the employee performance of CU Filosofi Petani Pancur Kasih Pontianak. Simultaneously, the Incentive (X1), Motivation (X2), and Discipline (X3) variables significantly influence the employee performance of CU Filosofi Petani Pancur Kasih Pontianak. Based on the analysis of the coefficient of determination, the employee performance of CU Filosofi Petani Pancur Kasih Pontianak can be concluded and explained by the variables of Incentives (X1), Motivation (X2), and Discipline (X3), while the other 52.4% are influenced or explained by other variables which are not discussed in this study.
The Effectiveness of Gadget Protection Implementation in Purchasing Gadgets at Shopee Indonesia E-Commerce
Authors: Zahra Audina Rizka , Nasution Juliana
Published: August 2023

This research focuses on the success rate of implementing gadget protection in purchasing gadgets at Shopee Indonesia E-commerce. The purpose of this study is to find out how far the success rate is for implementing gadget protection when purchasing gadgets at Shopee Indonesia e-commerce. The method used in this research is using a descriptive qualitative method with a phenomenological approach. Where to understand the meaning based on the experience of facts that have been experienced by individuals in detail. The results of this study are that researchers took three informants, one informant was satisfied with the effectiveness of the implementation of the gadget protection provided by e-commerce Shopee Indonesia. However, the informant did not reach the claim stage, because the gadget he had purchased was still in good condition and nothing happened. Meanwhile, two other informants thought that the effectiveness of the implementation of this gadget protection was not working properly, they had difficulty making claims.
PENGARUH BRAINSTORMING DAN KEAHLIAN AUDITOR TERHADAP PENILAIAN RISIKO FRAUD DI PTN
Authors: Mulyono Imam , Jaswadi  , Amerieska Siti
Published: August 2023

Tujuan dari penelitian ini, untuk menguji apakah brainstorming dan keahlian auditor berpengaruh terhadap penilaian risiko fraud, dengan brainstorming dan keahlian auditor sebagai variable independen, dan penilaian risiko fraud sebagai variable dependen. Sampel berjumlah 50 kepada Internal Auditor (Perangkat SPI) PTN dari 14 PTN di Jawa Timur, dengan mendistribusikan kuisioner 50 kuisioner dan 46 kuisioner yang direspon oleh responden. Metode analisis data yang digunakan adalah uji kualitas data, uji asumsi klasik, uji hipotesis dengan regresi linier berganda, berdasarkan hasil analisis data yang sudah dilakukan bahwa brainstorming dan keahlian auditor berpengaruh terhadap penilaian risiko fraud. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa brainstorming berpengaruh terhadap penilaian risiko fraud karena tanpa proses Brainstorming yang tepat, tugas dan kinerja auditor akan terancam, dan auditor mungkin tidak mampu mengidentifikasi risiko fraud selama penilaian risiko fraud serta dengan Brainstorming mendorong auditor untuk mengadakan diskusi dengan anggota tim audit tentang potensi materi salah saji karena fraud. Keahlian auditor berpengaruh terhadap penilaian risiko fraud karena penilaian risiko fraud harus dilakukan oleh Auditor yang memiliki keahlian dan pelatihan yang cukup sebagai Auditor dan bertindak sebagai seorang yang ahli dalam bidang akuntansi dan bidang auditing melalui pendidikan formalnya yang diperluas dengan pengalaman-pengalaman selanjutnya dalam praktik audit.
Preparation of honokiol-loaded titanium dioxide nanotube drug delivery system and its effect on CAL-27 cells
Authors: Tang Kaiqi , Su Han , Qu Zhi
Published: August 2023

Background: Tongue cancer is the most common type of oral cancer, and patients have a poor prognosis and quality of life after conventional surgical treatment. Honokiol (HNK) is a kind of lignan extracted from Chinese herbal medicine Houpu, many domestic and international experiments have demonstrated its anti-tumor effect. Titanium dioxide nanotube (TNTs) is a kind of nanomaterial which can be used as drug carrier. The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of HNK-loaded TNTs delivery system (HNK-TNTs) on anti-tumor.

Methods: TNTs were prepared by anodic oxidation method, and HNK was loaded onto TNTs by physical adsorption. The effect of HNK-TNTs on the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of CAL-27 cells were explored by CCK-8 experiment, scratch assay, live and dead staining and cellular immunofluorescence analysis.

Results: The material characterization test results showed that we had successfully prepared HNK-TNTs. CCK-8 experiment, scratch assay showed that the proliferation and migration ability of CAL-27 cells were significantly weakened after treatment with HNK-TNTs, and their cell proliferation rates significantly decreased. Live/dead staining, cell immunofluorescence analysis showed that HNK-TNTs could promote CAL-27 cells apoptosis by increasing the expression levels of the apoptosis-related protein Bax and Fas. Conclusion: In this experiment, we had successfully prepared Honokiol-loaded titanium dioxide nanotube drug delivery system (HNK-TNTs) and compared the effects of single drug HNK and HNK-TNTs on the proliferation, apoptosis and migration of tongue cancer CAL-27 cells. This experiment showed that HNK-TNTs had greater anti-proliferative, apoptosis-promoting and migration-inhibiting effects than the HNK as a single drug.
Analysis of risk factors for deep vein thrombosis after spinal infection surgery and construction of a nomogram preoperative prediction model
Authors: Xu Dongcheng , Hu Xiaojiang , Zhang Hongqi , Gao Qile , Guo Chaofeng , Liu Shaohua , Tang Bo , Zhang Guang , Zhang Chengran , Tang Mingxing
Published: August 2023

Objective

To investigate the differences in postoperative deep venous thrombosis (DVT) between patients with spinal infection and those with non-infected spinal disease; to construct a clinical prediction model using patients’ preoperative clinical information and routine laboratory indicators to predict the likelihood of DVT after surgery.

Method

According to the inclusion criteria, 314 cases of spinal infection (SINF) and 314 cases of non-infected spinal disease (NSINF) were collected from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2021 at Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, and the differences between the two groups in terms of postoperative DVT were analyzed by chi-square test. The spinal infection cases were divided into a thrombotic group (DVT) and a non-thrombotic group (NDVT) according to whether they developed DVT after surgery. Pre-operative clinical information and routine laboratory indicators of patients in the DVT and NDVT groups were used to compare the differences between groups for each variable, and variables with predictive significance were screened out by least absolute shrinkage and operator selection (LASSO) regression analysis, and a predictive model and nomogram of postoperative DVT was established using multi-factor logistic regression, with a Hosmer- Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test was used to plot the calibration curve of the model, and the predictive effect of the model was evaluated by the area under the ROC curve (AUC).

Result

The incidence of postoperative DVT in patients with spinal infection was 28%, significantly higher than 16% in the NSINF group, and statistically different from the NSINF group (P < 0.000). Five predictor variables for postoperative DVT in patients with spinal infection were screened by LASSO regression, and plotted as a nomogram. Calibration curves showed that the model was a good fit. The AUC of the predicted model was 0.8457 in the training cohort and 0.7917 in the validation cohort.

Conclusion

In this study, a nomogram prediction model was developed for predicting postoperative DVT in patients with spinal infection. The nomogram included five preoperative predictor variables, which would effectively predict the likelihood of DVT after spinal infection and may have greater clinical value for the treatment and prevention of postoperative DVT.
Post-procedural and long-term functional outcomes of jailed side branches in stented coronary bifurcation lesions assessed with side branch Murray law–based quantitative flow ratio
Authors: Xu Ke , Jiang Yue , Yang Wentao , Zhang Weifeng , Wang Dong , Zhao Yu , Zheng Shunwen , Hao Ziyong , Shen Lan , Jiang Lisheng , Qiu Xingbiao , Escaned Javier , Tu Shengxian , Shen Linghong , He Ben
Published: August 2023

Introduction

In coronary bifurcation lesions treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using a 1-stent strategy, the occurrence of side branch (SB) compromise may lead to long-term myocardial ischemia in the SB territory. Murray law–based quantitative flow ratio (μQFR) is a novel angiography-based approach estimating fractional flow reserve from a single angiographic view, and thus is more feasible to assess SB compromise in routine practice. However, its association with long-term SB coronary blood flow remains unknown.

Methods

A total of 146 patients with 313 non-left main bifurcation lesions receiving 1-stent strategy with drug-eluting stents was included in this retrospective study. These lesions had post-procedural Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade 3 in SBs, and documented angiographic images of index procedure and 6- to 24-month angiographic follow-up. Post-procedural SB μQFR was calculated. Long-term SB coronary blood flow was quantified with the TIMI grading system using angiograms acquired at angiographic follow-up.

Results

At follow-up, 8 (2.6%), 16 (5.1%), 61 (19.5%), and 228 (72.8%) SBs had a TIMI flow grade of 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The incidences of long-term SB TIMI flow grade ≤1 and ≤2 both tended to decrease across the tertiles of post-procedural SB μQFR. The receiver operating characteristic curve analyses indicated the post-procedural SB μQFR ≤0.77 was the optimal cut-off value to identify long-term SB TIMI flow grade ≤1 (specificity, 37.50%; sensitivity, 87.20%; area under the curve, 0.6673; P = 0.0064), and it was independently associated with 2.57-fold increased risk (adjusted OR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.02–7.25; P = 0.045) in long-term SB TIMI flow grade ≤1 after adjustment.

Discussion

Post-procedural SB μQFR was independently associated with increased risk in impaired SB TIMI flow at long-term follow-up. Further investigations should focus on whether PCI optimization based on μQFR may contribute to improve SB flow in the long term.
Current imaging methods for assessing Graves` orbitopathy activity with particular emphasis on FDG-PET
Authors: Ochmann Anna , Winder Mateusz , Nalewajka-Kołodziejczak Joanna , Chudek Jerzy
Published: August 2023

The most frequent extrathyroidal Graves’ disease manifestation is Graves’ orbitopathy (GO). The treatment of GO is determined by its severity and activity. There is currently no reliable, impartial method for assessing it clinically or distinguishing fibrosis from active inflammatory disorders. Today, imaging methods including orbital ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are frequently employed to show pathological abnormalities in the ocular adnexa of GO patients. In addition, a not widely accepted technique – 99mTc-DTPA SPECT – has some potential to evaluate retrobulbar inflammation in GO patients. However, FDG-PET/CT is possibly superior to other imaging modalities in detecting inflammation in GO and it may be useful in assessing disease activity in case of clinical or serological uncertainty. It might also act as an early indicator of GO development and its aggravation before irreversible tissue alterations take place and may be used in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory disorders of the orbit. However, before FDG-PET/CT could be applied in daily clinical practice, the methodology of GO activity assessment with defined cut-off values for radionuclide concentration – standardized units of value (SUV) have to be established and validated. In addition, the limitations of this technique have to be recognized.
Metabolic features of orbital adipose tissue in patients with thyroid eye disease
Authors: Du Rui , Wang Fenfen , Yang Chun , Hu Jing , Liu Jiapei , Jian Qizhi , Wang Ruonan , Zhang Jian , Chen Hui , Wang Yufan , Zhang Fang
Published: August 2023

Background

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is the most frequent orbital disease in adults and is characterized by the accumulation of orbital adipose tissue (OAT). It can lead to eyelid retraction or even vision loss. Orbital decompression surgery serves as the primary treatment for inactive TED by removing the excess OAT. However, there is a lack of alternative treatments to surgery due to the unclear understanding of the pathogenesis, particularly the metabolic features. Accordingly, our study was implemented to explore the content and features of metabolites of OATs from TED patients.

Method

The OATs used in the current study were obtained from the orbital decompression surgery of seven patients with inactive TED. We also collected control OATs from eye surgical samples of five individuals with no history of autoimmune thyroid diseases, TED, or under non-inflammatory conditions. The liquid chromatography mass spectrometer was used for the measurements of the targeted metabolites. Afterwards, we performed differential metabolite assay analysis and related pathway enrichment analysis.

Results

In our study, a total of 149 metabolite profiles were detected in all participants. There were significant differences in several metabolite profiles between the TED group and the control group, mainly including uric acid, oxidized glutathione, taurine, dGMP, oxidized glutathione 2, uracil, hexose-phosphate, 1-methylnicotinamide, D-sedoheptulose 1,7-bisphosphate, and uridine 5′-monophosphate (all p-value < 0.05). The TED-related pathways identified included purine metabolism, beta-alanine metabolism, glutathione metabolism (p-values < 0.05). Our study found overlaps and differences including uric acid and uracil, which are in accordance with metabolites found in blood of patients with TED from previous study and several newly discovered metabolite by our study such as hexose-phosphate, 1-methylnicotinamide, D-sedoheptulose 1,7-bisphosphate, compared to those tested from blood, OAT, or urine samples reported in previous studies.

Conclusion

The findings of our study shed light on the metabolic features of OAT in individuals with TED. These results may help identify new treatment targets for TED, providing potential avenues for developing alternative treatments beyond ophthalmic surgery.
Does the digital economy drive low-carbon urban development? The role of transition to sustainability
Authors: Yu Wentao , Lan Ning , Tan Xiaolan , Zhang Shanshan , Chen Jinyan
Published: August 2023

The rapid expansion and implementation of digital technologies are profoundly changing our lifestyles, production methods, and modes of exchange. However, whether or not such change can help promote the sustainability of urban socio-environmental systems has not been fully investigated. In this paper, we propose a comprehensive framework that utilizes the spatial Durbin model to investigate whether and how the digital economy contributes to low-carbon urban development, using the panel data of 276 Chinese cities from 2011 to 2018. This framework systematically identifies triple dimensions of low-carbon transition taking place throughout the whole value chain system, i.e. green innovation, production reshaping, and consumption upgrading. The finding reveals that the digital economy in a city exerts a significant mitigating effect on carbon emissions in both local and neighboring cities. It is also observed that digital economy activities play a significant role in alleviating urban carbon emissions due to their capacity to stimulate green innovation and promote sustainable patterns of production and consumption. The robustness of these findings is assessed through the consideration of endogeneity and substitution of the explained and explanatory variables. This paper contributes to a systematic understanding of the linkage between the revolution of digitalization within economic systems and the transition towards sustainability within environmental systems. It also provides valuable insights to policymakers on strategies to promote and accelerate low-carbon development.
The growing needs of genetic counselling—Feasibility in utilization of tele-genetic counselling in Asia and Hong Kong
Authors: Chu Annie Tsz Wai , Chung Claudia Ching Yan , Hue Shirley Pik Ying , Chung Brian Hon Yin
Published: August 2023

The need for the expansion of genomic services has been at a record time high in the past decade. As technological advancement continues to strengthen the entire genetic and genomic pipeline and clinical operational workflow, the major challenge remains to be the speed of workforce development to meet service growth. In particular, the international expansion of genetic counselling (GC) services has been a topic of interest for the past few years. GC is an emerging profession in most of Asia, and in many countries the profession of GC often refers to physicians or front-line health workers with expertise in genetics to provide GC services rather than being a specific independent profession. As genetic and genomic services, especially pre-test and post-test GC, expand globally, the need to tackle the longstanding obstacles of GC personnel shortage and funding issues must not be overlooked. There is an urgent need internationally, and especially in Asia, where GC profession is comparatively less well-established, to seek alternative approaches to meet service demand. The present review examines the global development and feasibility of tele-genetics and tele-genetic counselling (TGC), and serves as the foundation to explore a possible roadmap in Hong Kong via the Hong Kong Genome Project.
An "unexpected" role for EMT transcription factors in hematological development and malignancy
Authors: Radhakrishnan Karthika , Truong Lynda , Carmichael Catherine L.
Published: August 2023

The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental developmental process essential for normal embryonic development. It is also important during various pathogenic processes including fibrosis, wound healing and epithelial cancer cell metastasis and invasion. EMT is regulated by a variety of cell signalling pathways, cell-cell interactions and microenvironmental cues, however the key drivers of EMT are transcription factors of the ZEB, TWIST and SNAIL families. Recently, novel and unexpected roles for these EMT transcription factors (EMT-TFs) during normal blood cell development have emerged, which appear to be largely independent of classical EMT processes. Furthermore, EMT-TFs have also begun to be implicated in the development and pathogenesis of malignant hematological diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma, and now present themselves or the pathways they regulate as possible new therapeutic targets within these malignancies. In this review, we discuss the ZEB, TWIST and SNAIL families of EMT-TFs, focusing on what is known about their normal roles during hematopoiesis as well as the emerging and “unexpected” contribution they play during development and progression of blood cancers.
Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems to enhance cancer immunotherapy in solid tumors
Authors: Zhang Jiaxin , Wang Siyuan , Zhang Daidi , He Xin , Wang Xue , Han Huiqiong , Qin Yanru
Published: August 2023

Immunotherapy has developed rapidly in solid tumors, especially in the areas of blocking inhibitory immune checkpoints and adoptive T-cell transfer for immune regulation. Many patients benefit from immunotherapy. However, the response rate of immunotherapy in the overall population are relatively low, which depends on the characteristics of the tumor and individualized patient differences. Moreover, the occurrence of drug resistance and adverse reactions largely limit the development of immunotherapy. Recently, the emergence of nanodrug delivery systems (NDDS) seems to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy by encapsulating drug carriers in nanoparticles to precisely reach the tumor site with high stability and biocompatibility, prolonging the drug cycle of action and greatly reducing the occurrence of toxic side effects. In this paper, we mainly review the advantages of NDDS and the mechanisms that enhance conventional immunotherapy in solid tumors, and summarize the recent advances in NDDS-based therapeutic strategies, which will provide valuable ideas for the development of novel tumor immunotherapy regimen.
Effects of dietary L-Citrulline supplementation on growth performance, meat quality, and fecal microbial composition in finishing pigs
Authors: Du Junhua , Gan Mailin , Xie Zhongwei , Zhou Chengpeng , Jing Yunhong , Li Menglin , Liu Chengming , Wang Meng , Dai Haodong , Huang Zhiyang , Chen Lei , Zhao Ye , Niu Lili , Wang Yan , Zhang Shunhua , Guo Zongyi , Shen Linyuan , Zhu Li
Published: August 2023

Gut microbiota play an important role in the gut ecology and development of pigs, which is always regulated by nutrients. This study investigated the effect of L-Citrulline on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and its potential regulatory mechanism. The results showed that 1% dietary L-Citrulline supplementation for 52 days significantly increased final weight, liveweight gain, carcass weight, and average backfat and markedly decreased drip loss (p < 0.05) of finishing pigs compared with the control group. Microbial analysis of fecal samples revealed a marked increase in α-diversity and significantly altered composition of gut microbiota in finishing pigs in response to L-Citrulline. In particular, these altered gut microbiota at the phylum and genus level may be mainly involved in the metabolic process of carbohydrate, energy, and amino acid, and exhibited a significant association with final weight, carcass weight, and backfat thickness. Taken together, our data revealed the potential role of L-Citrulline in the modulation of growth performance, carcass characteristics, and the meat quality of finishing pigs, which is most likely associated with gut microbiota.
Impact of altered groundwater depth on soil microbial diversity, network complexity and multifunctionality
Authors: Zhao Siteng , Zhao Xueyong , Li Yulin , Zhang Rui , Zhao Yanming , Fang Hong , Li Wenshuang
Published: August 2023

Understanding the effects of groundwater depth on soil microbiota and multiple soil functions is essential for ecological restoration and the implementation of groundwater conservation. The current impact of increased groundwater levels induced by drought on soil microbiota and multifunctionality remains ambiguous, which impedes our understanding of the sustainability of water-scarce ecosystems that heavily rely on groundwater resources. This study investigated the impacts of altered groundwater depths on soil microbiota and multifunctionality in a semi-arid region. Three groundwater depth levels were studied, with different soil quality and soil moisture at each level. The deep groundwater treatment had negative impacts on diversity, network complexity of microbiota, and the relationships among microbial phylum unites. Increasing groundwater depth also changed composition of soil microbiota, reducing the relative abundance of dominant phyla including Proteobacteria and Ascomycota. Increasing groundwater depth led to changes in microbial community characteristics, which are strongly related to alterations in soil multifunctionality. Overall, our results suggest that groundwater depth had a strongly effect on soil microbiota and functionality.
The correlation of the intestinal with pharyngeal microbiota in early neonates
Authors: Wang Xuejuan , Shao Zhiying , Zhu Minrong , Li Bingjie , You Mingyu , Chen Xiaoqing
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The gut-lung axis has long been recognized as an important mechanism affecting intestinal and lung immunity. Still, few studies have examined the correlation between the intestinal and pharyngeal microbiota in early neonates, especially when feeding patterns are one of the main drivers of microbiota development.

Methods

To explore the composition and function of intestinal and pharyngeal microbiota and to analyze the effect of limited formula feeding on the initial microbiota colonization in early full-term neonates, we characterized the stool and oropharyngeal microbiota of 20 healthy full-term newborns sampled on days 0 and 5–7 after birth using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Based on the sequencing results, a comparison was made of the compositions and functions of the intestinal and oropharyngeal microbiota for analysis.

Results and discussion

At the phylum level, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes were the most abundant in both niches. At the genus level, the species of pioneer bacteria were rich in the intestine and oropharynx but low in abundance on day 0. On days 5–7, Bifidobacterium (25.40%) and Escherichia-Shigella (22.16%) were dominant in the intestine, while Streptococcus (38.40%) and Staphylococcus (23.13%) were dominant in the oropharynx. There were eight core bacteria genera in the intestine and oropharynx on days 5–7, which were Bifidobacterium, Escherichia-Shigella, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, Rothia, and Acinetobacter. As indicated by PICRUSt analysis, on days 5–7, the intestinal microbiota was more predictive than the oropharyngeal microbiota in transcription, metabolism, cell motility, cellular processes and signaling, and organismal system function in the KEGG pathway. Compared to exclusive breastfeeding, limited formula feeding (40–60%) had no significant effect on the neonatal intestinal and oropharyngeal microbiota composition during the initial colonization period. Our results suggest that the initial colonization of microbiota is closely related to the ecological niche environment in the intestine and oropharynx, with their core microbiota being closely correlated. We found that early limited formula feeding could not significantly affect the initial colonization of microbiota in the intestine and oropharynx.
Chromosomal organization of biosynthetic gene clusters, including those of nine novel species, suggests plasticity of myxobacterial specialized metabolism
Authors: Ahearne Andrew , Phillips Kayleigh E. , Knehans Thomas , Hoing Miranda , Dowd Scot E. , Stevens David Cole
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Natural products discovered from bacteria provide critically needed therapeutic leads for drug discovery, and myxobacteria are an established source for metabolites with unique chemical scaffolds and biological activities. Myxobacterial genomes accommodate an exceptional number and variety of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) which encode for features involved in specialized metabolism.

Methods

In this study, we describe the collection, sequencing, and genome mining of 20 myxobacteria isolated from rhizospheric soil samples collected in North America.

Results

Nine isolates were determined to be novel species of myxobacteria including representatives from the genera Archangium, Myxococcus, Nannocystis, Polyangium, Pyxidicoccus, Sorangium, and Stigmatella. Growth profiles, biochemical assays, and descriptions were provided for all proposed novel species. We assess the BGC content of all isolates and observe differences between Myxococcia and Polyangiia clusters.

Discussion

Continued discovery and sequencing of novel myxobacteria from the environment provide BGCs for the genome mining pipeline. Utilizing complete or near-complete genome sequences, we compare the chromosomal organization of BGCs of related myxobacteria from various genera and suggest that the spatial proximity of hybrid, modular clusters contributes to the metabolic adaptability of myxobacteria.
Metabolomic characterization benefits the identification of acute lung injury in patients with type A acute aortic dissection
Authors: Fan Linglin , Meng Ke , Meng Fanqi , Wu Yuan , Lin Ling
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Acute aortic dissection (AAD) often leads to the development of acute lung injury (ALI). However, the early detection and diagnosis of AAD in patients with ALI pose significant challenges. The objective of this study is to investigate distinct metabolic alterations in the plasma samples of AAD patients with ALI, AAD patients without ALI, and healthy individuals.

Method: Between September 2019 and September 2022, we retrospectively collected data from 228 AAD patients who were diagnosed with ALI through post-surgery chest X-ray and PaO2/FiO2 assessments. Univariate analysis was employed to identify pre-surgery risk factors for ALI. Additionally, we conducted high-throughput target metabolic analysis on 90 plasma samples, comprising 30 samples from AAD patients with ALI, 30 from patients with AAD only, and 30 from healthy controls. After LC-MS spectral processing and metabolite quantification, the recursive feature elimination with cross-validation (RFECV) analysis based on the random forest was used to select the optimal metabolites as a diagnostic panel for the detection of AAD patients with ALI. The support vector machines (SVM) machine learning model was further applied to validate the diagnostic accuracy of the established biomarker panel.

Results: In the univariate analysis, preoperative β-HB and TNF-α exhibited a significant association with lung injury (OR = 0.906, 95% CI 0.852–0.965, p = 0.002; OR = 1.007, 95% CI 1.003–1.011, p < 0.0001). The multiple-reaction monitoring analysis of 417 common metabolites identified significant changes in 145 metabolites (fold change >1.2 or <0.833, p < 0.05) across the three groups. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed notable differences between AAD patients and healthy controls. When compared with the non-ALI group, AAD patients with ALI displayed remarkable upregulation in 19 metabolites and downregulation in 4 metabolites. Particularly, combining citric acid and glucuronic acid as a biomarker panel improved the classification performance for distinguishing between the ALI and non-ALI groups.

Discussion: Differentially expressed metabolites in the ALI group were primarily involved in amino acids biosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism (TCA cycle), arginine and proline metabolism, and glucagon signaling pathway. These findings demonstrate a great potential of the targeted metabolomic approach for screening, routine surveillance, and diagnosis of pulmonary injury in patients with AAD.
A review of the auditory-gut-brain axis
Authors: Graham Amy S. , Ben-Azu Benneth , Tremblay Marie-Ève , Torre Peter , Senekal Marjanne , Laughton Barbara , van der Kouwe Andre , Jankiewicz Marcin , Kaba Mamadou , Holmes Martha J.
Published: August 2023

Hearing loss places a substantial burden on medical resources across the world and impacts quality of life for those affected. Further, it can occur peripherally and/or centrally. With many possible causes of hearing loss, there is scope for investigating the underlying mechanisms involved. Various signaling pathways connecting gut microbes and the brain (the gut-brain axis) have been identified and well established in a variety of diseases and disorders. However, the role of these pathways in providing links to other parts of the body has not been explored in much depth. Therefore, the aim of this review is to explore potential underlying mechanisms that connect the auditory system to the gut-brain axis. Using select keywords in PubMed, and additional hand-searching in google scholar, relevant studies were identified. In this review we summarize the key players in the auditory-gut-brain axis under four subheadings: anatomical, extracellular, immune and dietary. Firstly, we identify important anatomical structures in the auditory-gut-brain axis, particularly highlighting a direct connection provided by the vagus nerve. Leading on from this we discuss several extracellular signaling pathways which might connect the ear, gut and brain. A link is established between inflammatory responses in the ear and gut microbiome-altering interventions, highlighting a contribution of the immune system. Finally, we discuss the contribution of diet to the auditory-gut-brain axis. Based on the reviewed literature, we propose numerous possible key players connecting the auditory system to the gut-brain axis. In the future, a more thorough investigation of these key players in animal models and human research may provide insight and assist in developing effective interventions for treating hearing loss.
Intermittent energy restriction changes the regional homogeneity of the obese human brain
Authors: Li Zhonglin , Wu Xiaoling , Gao Hui , Xiang Tianyuan , Zhou Jing , Zou Zhi , Tong Li , Yan Bin , Zhang Chi , Wang Linyuan , Wang Wen , Yang Tingting , Li Fengyun , Ma Huimin , Zhao Xiaojuan , Mi Na , Yu Ziya , Li Hao , Zeng Qiang , Li Yongli
Published: August 2023

Background

Intermittent energy restriction (IER) is an effective weight loss strategy. However, the accompanying changes in spontaneous neural activity are unclear, and the relationship among anthropometric measurements, biochemical indicators, and adipokines remains ambiguous.

Methods

Thirty-five obese adults were recruited and received a 2-month IER intervention. Data were collected from anthropometric measurements, blood samples, and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging at four time points. The regional homogeneity (ReHo) method was used to explore the effects of the IER intervention. The relationships between the ReHo values of altered brain regions and changes in anthropometric measurements, biochemical indicators, and adipokines (leptin and adiponectin) were analyzed.

Results

Results showed that IER significantly improved anthropometric measurements, biochemical indicators, and adipokine levels in the successful weight loss group. The IER intervention for weight loss was associated with a significant increase in ReHo in the bilateral lingual gyrus, left calcarine, and left postcentral gyrus and a significant decrease in the right middle temporal gyrus and right cerebellum (VIII). Follow-up analyses showed that the increase in ReHo values in the right LG had a significant positive correlation with a reduction in Three-factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ)-disinhibition and a significant negative correlation with an increase in TFEQ-cognitive control. Furthermore, the increase in ReHo values in the left calcarine had a significant positive correlation with the reduction in TFEQ-disinhibition. However, no significant difference in ReHo was observed in the failed weight loss group.

Conclusion

Our study provides objective evidence that the IER intervention reshaped the ReHo of some brain regions in obese individuals, accompanied with improved anthropometric measurements, biochemical indicators, and adipokines. These results illustrated that the IER intervention for weight loss may act by decreasing the motivational drive to eat, reducing reward responses to food cues, and repairing damaged food-related self-control processes. These findings enhance our understanding of the neurobiological basis of IER for weight loss in obesity.
Free-choice high-fat diet consumption reduces lateral hypothalamic GABAergic activity, without disturbing neural response to sucrose drinking in mice
Authors: Slomp Margo , Koekkoek Laura L. , Mutersbaugh Michael , Linville Ian , Luquet Serge H. , la Fleur Susanne E.
Published: August 2023

Nutrition can influence the brain and affect its regulation of food intake, especially that of high-palatable foods. We hypothesize that fat and sugar have interacting effects on the brain, and the lateral hypothalamus (LH) is a prime candidate to be involved in this interaction. The LH is a heterogeneous area, crucial for regulating consummatory behaviors, and integrating homeostatic and hedonic needs. GABAergic LH neurons stimulate feeding when activated, and are responsive to consummatory behavior while encoding sucrose palatability. Previously, we have shown that glutamatergic LH neurons reduce their activity in response to sugar drinking and that this response is disturbed by a free-choice high-fat diet (fcHFD). Whether GABAergic LH neurons, and their response to sugar, is affected by a fcHFD is yet unknown. Using head-fixed two-photon microscopy, we analyzed activity changes in LHVgat neuronal activity in chow or fcHFD-fed mice in response to water or sucrose drinking. A fcHFD decreased overall LHVgat neuronal activity, without disrupting the sucrose-induced increase. When focusing on the response per unique neuron, a vast majority of neurons respond inconsistently over time. Thus, a fcHFD dampens overall LH GABAergic activity, while it does not disturb the response to sucrose. The inconsistent responding over time suggests that it is not one specific subpopulation of LH GABAergic neurons that is driving these behaviors, but rather a result of the integrative properties of a complex neural network. Further research should focus on determining how this dampening of LH GABAergic activity contributes to hyperphagia and the development of obesity.
Association of IL6 and IL10 gene promotor polymorphisms with susceptibility to acute necrotizing encephalopathy
Authors: Hoshino Ai , Takahashi Naoto , Oka Akira , Mizuguchi Masashi
Published: August 2023

Objective

Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) is a severe complication of infectious diseases affecting the brain and systemic organs. The main pathogenesis is cytokine storm, in which interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) are candidates for key cytokines. To further elucidate their roles in the etiology and pathogenesis of ANE, we studied polymorphisms in the promotor regions of the IL6 and IL10 genes by genetic and functional analyses.

Methods

We first conducted a case–control association study of four IL6 and three IL10 polymorphisms. We genotyped 31 Japanese ANE cases and compared the results with those of approximately 200 Japanese controls. For the two polymorphisms showing a possible association, we next studied whether the polymorphisms alter the production of IL-6 or IL-10 by lymphoblasts upon phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) stimulation.

Results

The frequencies of IL6 rs1800796G allele and IL10 rs1800871/rs1800872 CC/CC diplotype were significantly higher in ANE cases than in controls. The IL10 CC/CC diplotype was associated with low IL-10 production, whereas the IL6 GG genotype was not associated with IL-6 production.

Conclusion

IL10 rs1800871/rs1800872 CC/CC diplotype may predispose Japanese children to ANE by altering IL-10 production in the early phase of infection. Etio-pathogenetic significance of IL6 rs1800796G remains to be elucidated.