bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of near-surface winds on the measurement of forest soil CO2 fluxes using closed air chambers
Authors: Jiang Junjie , Hu Junguo , Xu Xiaojun , Li Yongfu , Sheng Jie
Published: July 2023

Forest soil CO2 flux measurements are important for studying global climate change. Current monitoring methods are based on closed gas chambers, which block the wind pumping effect of near-surface winds in the measurements, resulting in biased values. Therefore, in this study, the effects of near-surface winds on chamber-monitored fluxes were investigated. The CO2 flux was quantified using a designed flux reference system with different CO2 concentrations, and the monitoring performance of the closed chamber was studied. Wavelet coherence was used to analyze the response relationship between near-surface winds and soil gas, and was combined with a flux calculation model to explore the relevant factors influencing gas chamber measurement-produced bias. The data indicate that at near-surface wind speeds greater than 0.8 m·s−1, gas transport enhancement was significant and further increased the deviation of the gas chamber-monitored CO2 fluxes. The monitoring error of the flow chamber (NSF) increased from 7% to 30% in soils with low carbon content, but did not vary significantly (3–7%) in soils with high CO2 concentrations. The flux measurement bias of the non-flow chamber (NSNF) was positively correlated with the soil carbon content, with the measurement error expanding by 16–24% with increasing soil CO2 concentrations. The measurement errors of the exponential and linear models in a windless environment were 9.8% (Exp) and 18.7% (Lin), respectively. The estimation errors of both models were positively correlated with both the time of a single monitoring event and the wind-induced coefficient Dw. Therefore, flux calculation models should be improved by considering environments with wind disturbances to reduce the effect of wind on measured values, which will help improve the accuracy of ecosystem carbon budgets.
Identification of stromal cell proportion-related genes in the breast cancer tumor microenvironment using CorDelSFS feature selection: implications for tumor progression and prognosis
Authors: Guo Sicheng , Ma Yuting , Li Xiaokang , Li Wei , He Xiaogang , Yuan Zheming , Hu Yuan
Published: July 2023

Background: The tumor microenvironment (TME) of breast cancer (BRCA) is a complex and dynamic micro-ecosystem that influences BRCA occurrence, progression, and prognosis through its cellular and molecular components. However, as the tumor progresses, the dynamic changes of stromal and immune cells in TME become unclear.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify differentially co-expressed genes (DCGs) associated with the proportion of stromal cells in TME of BRCA, to explore the patterns of cell proportion changes, and ultimately, their impact on prognosis.

Methods: A new heuristic feature selection strategy (CorDelSFS) was combined with differential co-expression analysis to identify TME-key DCGs. The expression pattern and co-expression network of TME-key DCGs were analyzed across different TMEs. A prognostic model was constructed using six TME-key DCGs, and the correlation between the risk score and the proportion of stromal cells and immune cells in TME was evaluated.

Results: TME-key DCGs mimicked the dynamic trend of BRCA TME and formed cell type-specific subnetworks. The IG gene-related subnetwork, plasmablast-specific expression, played a vital role in the BRCA TME through its adaptive immune function and tumor progression inhibition. The prognostic model showed that the risk score was significantly correlated with the proportion of stromal cells and immune cells in TME, and low-risk patients had stronger adaptive immune function. IGKV1D-39 was identified as a novel BRCA prognostic marker specifically expressed in plasmablasts and involved in adaptive immune responses.

Conclusions: This study explores the role of proportionate-related genes in the tumor microenvironment using a machine learning approach and provides new insights for discovering the key biological processes in tumor progression and clinical prognosis.
In utero position matters for littermate cell transfer in mice: an additional and confounding source with maternal microchimerism
Authors: Giassi Mathilde , Hemon Marie F. , Martin Marielle , Roudier Jean , Auger Isabelle , Lambert Nathalie C.
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Feto-maternal cell transfer during pregnancy is called microchimerism (Mc). Its persistence in respective hosts is increasingly studied as to its potential role in immune tolerance, autoimmunity, cancer, and degenerative diseases. Murine models with transgenic reporter genes, heterozygously carried by the mother, allow maternal Mc tracking in wild-type (WT) offspring. However, as gestation in mice is multi-embryonic, an exchange of cells between fetuses carrying the same reporter gene as their mother and negative WT littermate, named littermate Mc (LMc), can occur and be confounded with the maternal source. We propose here to evaluate LMc contribution in mice.

Methods

To avoid the maternal confounding source of Mc, transgenic males, heterozygous for a reporter gene, here, the human leukocyte antigen DRB1*04 (DR4+/−), were crossed with WT females (DR4−/−). DR4+/− LMc was specifically quantified by HLA-DR4 quantitative PCR, i) in utero in main organs from 15 DR4−/− fetuses from three litters of 11, nine, and five; and ii) after birth in two litters of eight pups: in two DR4−/− stillborns and four DR4−/− adult mice.

Results

At embryonic stages, DR4−/− fetuses having one or two nearby DR4+/− littermates in the same uterine horn were almost seven times more frequently positive for DR4− microchimerism in their organs (p = 0.01) and had quantitatively more LMc (p = 0.009) than those without nearby DR4+/− littermates. Furthermore, LMc persists at birth and into adulthood with interindividual heterogeneity.

Conclusions

This study identifies heterogeneity for LMc acquisition according to in utero position and different interpretation of previously published results on maternal Mc in mice.
Immunotherapies in MuSK-positive Myasthenia Gravis; an IgG4 antibody-mediated disease
Authors: Vakrakou Aigli G. , Karachaliou Eleni , Chroni Elisabeth , Zouvelou Vasiliki , Tzanetakos Dimitrios , Salakou Stavroula , Papadopoulou Marianna , Tzartos Socrates , Voumvourakis Konstantinos , Kilidireas Constantinos , Giannopoulos Sotirios , Tsivgoulis Georgios , Tzartos John
Published: July 2023

Muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) Myasthenia Gravis (MG) represents a prototypical antibody-mediated disease characterized by predominantly focal muscle weakness (neck, facial, and bulbar muscles) and fatigability. The pathogenic antibodies mostly belong to the immunoglobulin subclass (Ig)G4, a feature which attributes them their specific properties and pathogenic profile. On the other hand, acetylcholine receptor (AChR) MG, the most prevalent form of MG, is characterized by immunoglobulin (Ig)G1 and IgG3 antibodies to the AChR. IgG4 class autoantibodies are impotent to fix complement and only weakly bind Fc-receptors expressed on immune cells and exert their pathogenicity via interfering with the interaction between their targets and binding partners (e.g. between MuSK and LRP4). Cardinal differences between AChR and MuSK-MG are the thymus involvement (not prominent in MuSK-MG), the distinct HLA alleles, and core immunopathological patterns of pathology in neuromuscular junction, structure, and function. In MuSK-MG, classical treatment options are usually less effective (e.g. IVIG) with the need for prolonged and high doses of steroids difficult to be tapered to control symptoms. Exceptional clinical response to plasmapheresis and rituximab has been particularly observed in these patients. Reduction of antibody titers follows the clinical efficacy of anti-CD20 therapies, a feature implying the role of short-lived plasma cells (SLPB) in autoantibody production. Novel therapeutic monoclonal against B cells at different stages of their maturation (like plasmablasts), or against molecules involved in B cell activation, represent promising therapeutic targets. A revolution in autoantibody-mediated diseases is pharmacological interference with the neonatal Fc receptor, leading to a rapid reduction of circulating IgGs (including autoantibodies), an approach already suitable for AChR-MG and promising for MuSK-MG. New precision medicine approaches involve Chimeric autoantibody receptor T (CAAR-T) cells that are engineered to target antigen-specific B cells in MuSK-MG and represent a milestone in the development of targeted immunotherapies. This review aims to provide a detailed update on the pathomechanisms involved in MuSK-MG (cellular and humoral aberrations), fostering the understanding of the latest indications regarding the efficacy of different treatment strategies.
Variability of the southern Gulf of Mexico and its predictability and stochastic origin
Authors: Moreles Efraín
Published: July 2023

The variability of surface and deep layers in the southern Gulf of Mexico and their predictability and stochastic origin are studied. Considering separated and coupled layers analyses, the most important variability modes were estimated via Empirical Orthogonal Functions using daily isopycnic layer-thickness anomalies from a 21-year free-running simulation of the Gulf hydrodynamics performed with the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model. There is a separation between the principal and higher-order coupled variability. The deep layer strongly determines the variability throughout the water column for the principal coupled variability: the timescales and long-term persistence are mainly associated with deep dynamics. Higher-order coupled variability has no clear association with surface or deep dynamics. Deep dynamics is likely to influence the subsequent evolution of surface dynamics; however, an evident causality relationship between them was not found. No vertical correspondence between surface and deep isopycnal fluctuations was found. The principal coupled variability mode is described by a surface region in the southwest where the Campeche Gyre occurs and a deep region in the center of the basin extending to the north. The predictability was estimated through the decorrelation times of the variability modes. The predictability of deep variability is three times that of surface variability, with 30.5-month predictability for the principal deep mode. Layer coupling evinced the role of the deep ocean in generating long-term variability by extending the predictability of the principal surface mode 2.6-fold, from 10.6 to 27.2 months. Strong evidence is provided for the stochastic origin of the principal variability, suggesting it can be described using linear dynamics in terms of a fast and a slow component.
Mesopelagic fishes are important prey for a diversity of predators
Authors: Iglesias Ilysa S. , Santora Jarrod A. , Fiechter Jerome , Field John C.
Published: July 2023

Through daily vertical movements, mesopelagic fishes contribute to global carbon export and, when eaten, link primary consumers to higher trophic level predators. Although the importance of mesopelagic fishes as prey to individual predator species has been explored, a comprehensive assessment of mesopelagic fishes as prey at the scale of a large marine ecosystem would advance our observing, modeling, and predicting of biodiversity and ecosystem function. We use diet samples from over 105,000 individual predators from 143 taxa in the California Current Ecosystem (CCE) to quantify and evaluate the role of mesopelagic fishes as prey. For 11 predator taxa, including protected mammal species, pelagic squids, a shelf-edge-associated rockfish and highly migratory species, mesopelagic fishes occurred in greater than 25% of all diet samples, likely comprising an important source of prey. Of the 143 taxa represented, individuals from 36 taxa, or 25% percent of all predator taxa in the database, consumed at least one mesopelagic fish species, including economically important fishery species such as Bluefin tuna (16% of all non-empty diet samples), Albacore (19%), Swordfish (50%), Humboldt squid (52%), and Pacific hake (4%). Compared with coastal pelagic fish species (essential prey in the CCE), mesopelagic fish were more frequently encountered in the diets of 21 predator taxa. Lanternfish (family Myctophidae) were the most common prey and consumed by the greatest diversity of predators (32 taxa), but an additional 16 families of mesopelagic fishes were also consumed by predators, highlighting the diversity of organisms inhabiting mesopelagic depths. Mesopelagic fishes were found in the diets of predators collected from shelf depths to well offshore, accentuating the role of mesopelagic fishes as prey across habitats, especially for predators foraging over the slope and further offshore. Our work illuminates the importance of mesopelagic fishes as prey to a diversity of economically valuable and protected species, underscoring the need to incorporate mesopelagic fishes more comprehensively into food web models, global carbon budgets and ultimately our understanding of ecosystem function.
Different vertical heat transport induced by submesoscale motions in the shelf and open sea of the northwestern South China Sea
Authors: Pan Hao , Qiu Chunhua , Liang Hong , Zou Liwei , Zhang Ziqi , He Benjun
Published: July 2023

Submesoscale currents are known to be associated with strong vertical velocities (O (10) m/day), regulating the redistributions of energy and matter balances. The northern South China Sea (SCS) is fulfilled with submesoscale motions, which might induce strong vertical heat transport (VHT). We set up a 1-km horizontal resolution Massachusetts Institute of Technology General Circulation Model (MITgcm) to study the seasonal variations in submesoscale vertical heat transport in shelf regions and open seas. Spectrum analysis shows that the spatial scale separating submesoscale and mesoscale motions are 14 and 30 km for the shelf and open regions, respectively. The submesoscale VHT in the shelf region is one order of magnitude larger than that in the open ocean. The former has the largest value in summer and winter, which might be induced by summer upwelling and winter downwelling, while the latter is strongest in winter and weakest in summer in open regions. The submesoscale VHT also appears to have intra-seasonal variations and might be attributed to the disturbances of tropical cyclones and life stages of submesoscale eddies. The submesoscale VHT is strongest in the pregeneration phase of the eddies, and the maximum VHT belt has an entrainment type at the developing and mature stages. The chlorophyll-a concentration also has the same temporal variation as the different life-stage of eddies. This study provides local VHT induced by submesoscale motions, which is expected to improve our understanding of submesoscale air–sea interactions and their biological effects.
Mechanical performance and carbonation resistance of basalt fiber—polypropylene fiber rubber concrete
Authors: Kun Liu , Xin Liu Hua , Bei Liu Bei , Nan Liu Ya
Published: July 2023

The accumulation and incineration of waste tires have caused great damage to the environment. Therefore, recycling waste tires efficiently and economically has become an important issue in protecting world resources and the environment. In this study, 5%, 10%, and 15% rubber particles were used to replace fine sand in concrete, and basalt fibers (0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%) and polypropylene fibers (0.1%, 0.15%, and 0.2%) were added to rubber concrete to prepare hybrid fiber rubber concrete (HFRC). The experiments investigated the changes of mechanical properties of basalt (BF), polypropylene (PPF) fibers, and rubber particles when they were blended into concrete respectively, and the degree of influence of each factor on the mechanical and carbonation resistance of HFRC was investigated based on the orthogonal test. The results show that the rubber concrete’s mechanical and carbonation properties are improved to varying degrees after adding hybrid fibers. When the basalt fiber content is 0.2% and the polypropylene fiber content is 0.15%, the overall mechanical properties of HFRC reach the best state. When the basalt fiber content is 0.2%, the polypropylene fiber content is 0.15%, and the rubber content is 5%, the carbonation resistance of HFRC is the most ideal. In addition, the microstructure of HFRC was observed by scanning electron microscope.
Responses of soil bacterial community structure to different artificially restored forests in open-pit coal mine dumps on the loess plateau, China
Authors: Liu Shuang , Gao Yuru , Chen Jianwen , Li Junjian , Zhang Hong
Published: July 2023

Artificial vegetation restoration is an effective method for improving soil quality. In areas experiencing coal mine subsidence, the microbial community is essential for reconstructing the ecological balance of the soil. Studies are needed to examine how soil microbial community structure respond to different artificial forest restoration types and ages, especially over long-term periods. Therefore, in this study, 10, 20, and 30-year trials were chosen with two restoration types: Pinus tabuliformis (PT) and Ulmus pumila (UP). The objective was to determine how various types and ages of forest restoration affect the structure of soil bacterial communities, as well as the soil environmental factors driving these changes. The results showed that artificial 30-year restoration for both PT and UP can improve soil physical and chemical properties more than restoration after 10 and 20 years. The soil bacterial community structure remarkably differed among the different forest types and restoration ages. The bacterial diversity was higher in UP than in PT; the alpha diversity at longer restoration years (30 and 20) was significantly higher than at 10 years for both PT and UP. Moreover, soil nutrients and pH were the primary soil environmental factors driving bacterial community structure in the PT and UP. Finally, the integrated fertility index (IFI) at 30 years of restoration was considerably higher for PT and UP, and thus, is more beneficial to the restoration of soil after coal mining. Our findings are useful for studying improvement in soil quality and the restoration of the ecological environment in mining areas.
Pioglitazone enhances brain mitochondrial biogenesis and phase II detoxification capacity in neonatal rats with 6-OHDA-induced unilateral striatal lesions
Authors: Vázquez-González Daniela , Corona Juan Carlos
Published: July 2023

The psychostimulant methylphenidate (MPH) is the first-line pharmacological treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but has numerous adverse side effects. The PPARγ receptor agonist pioglitazone (PIO) is known to improve mitochondrial bioenergetics and antioxidant capacity, both of which may be deficient in ADHD, suggesting utility as an adjunct therapy. Here, we assessed the effects of PIO on ADHD-like symptoms, mitochondrial biogenesis and antioxidant pathways in multiple brain regions of neonate rats with unilateral striatal lesions induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) as an experimental ADHD model. Unilateral striatal injection of 6-OHDA reduced ipsilateral dopaminergic innervation by 33% and increased locomotor activity. This locomotor hyperactivity was not altered by PIO treatment for 14 days. However, PIO increased the expression of proteins contributing to mitochondrial biogenesis in the striatum, hippocampus, cerebellum and prefrontal cortex of 6-OHDA-lesioned rats. In addition, PIO treatment enhanced the expression of the phase II transcription factor Nrf2 in the striatum, prefrontal cortex and cerebellum. In contrast, no change in the antioxidant enzyme catalase was observed in any of the brain regions analyzed. Thus, PIO may improve mitochondrial biogenesis and phase 2 detoxification in the ADHD brain. Further studies are required to determine if different dose regimens can exert more comprehensive therapeutic effects against ADHD neuropathology and behavior.
Absolute configuration assignment of marine natural products in Brazil
Authors: Batista Andrea N. L. , dos Santos Fernando M. , Valverde Alessandra L.
Published: July 2023

Brazil is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, with a coastline that stretches over 7,000 km including various marine ecosystems, such as coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds, among other habitats. These diverse environments provide a rich source of compounds, derived from primary or secondary metabolism, which may have countless biological activities. Research on marine natural products (MNP) in Brazil has been ongoing for several decades and led to the discovery of numerous bioactive compounds with potential applications in medicine, agriculture, and cosmetics. These MNP are structurally complex, both from an architectural and stereochemical point of view. However, even with all the well-established techniques for the absolute configuration (AC) assignment, this stage of structural characterization of natural products is still under-explored and remains a challenge. This review presents an overview of natural product chemistry in Brazil, focusing on the stereochemical assignment of marine chiral compounds. The main goals are to describe the techniques employed in the assignments as well as to highlight the importance of choosing the appropriate methods for chiral natural products AC determinations.
Effectiveness of locally produced ready to use supplementary food on hemoglobin, anthropometrics, and plasma micronutrients concentrations of 6 to 23 months age children: a non-randomized community-based trial from Pakistan
Authors: Khan Aslam , Ul-Haq Zia , Fazid Sheraz , Fatima Sadia , Muhammad Nawshad , Ahmed Jawad , Manoharadas Salim , Safi Sher Zaman , Habib Ijaz , Garzon Cecilia , Ihtesham Yasir , Zahid Fareeda , Dad Fazal , Mahamadou Tanimoune , Lowe Nicola M.
Published: July 2023

Background

Micronutrient deficiencies including vitamin A, vitamin D, and zinc are highly prevalent in children below 5 years of age in low and –middle-income countries. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ready-to-use Lipid-based Nutrient Supplement—Medium Quantity (LNS-MQ) local name “Wawa-mum” on plasma micronutrient status, hemoglobin concentration and anthropometric measurements.

Methods

A community-based non-randomized trial was conducted in the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from January 2018 to June 2019. A total of 110 children aged 6 to 23 months old were recruited and allocated to the intervention and control arm of the study. A total of 57 children in the intervention arm received a daily ration of 50 g of Wawa-mum, for one year. To assess the impact of the intervention on primary outcome measures, i.e., serum vitamin A, D concentration, plasma zinc, and hemoglobin concentration. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after one year following the intervention. The vitamins concentration in serum were assessed using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and plasma zinc by atomic absorption spectrometry. The hemoglobin concentration was measured by an automated hematology analyzer. A 24-h dietary recall interview was used to assess the nutrient intake adequacy. Multivariate Linear regression models were used to analyze the outcomes while controlling for potential confounders.

Results

In the intervention arm, children had on average 6.2 μg/dL (95% CI 3.0–9.3, value of p<0.001) increase in the serum vitamin A concentration, 8.1 ng/mL (95% CI 1.3–14.9, value of p 0.02) increase in serum vitamin D concentration and 49.0 μg/dL (95% CI 33.5–64.5, value of p<0.001) increase in the plasma zinc concentration, and 2.7 g/dL (95% CI 2.0–3.3, value of p<0.001) increase in hemoglobin concentration while adjusted for covariates. An addition, length-for-age z-score (LAZ), weight-for-length z-score (WLZ), weight-for-age z-score (WAZ), and prevalence of undernutrition including stunting, wasting, and underweight were calculated as a secondary outcome to investigate the impact of micronutrients on growth parameters, that has been improved significantly after receiving the Wawa-mum.

Conclusion

Wawa-mum (LNS-MQ) is an effective intervention to improve the micronutrient status, hemoglobin concentration, and growth parameters in 6 to 23 months children, which can be scaled up in the existing health system to address the alarming rates of under nutrition in Pakistan and other developing countries.

Clinical trial registration

https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN94319790, ISRCTN94319790.
Blau syndrome with hypertension and hepatic granulomas: a case report and literature review
Authors: Yao Fangling , Tan Bei , Wu Di , Shen Min
Published: July 2023

Background

Blau syndrome (BS) is a monogenic disorder caused by NOD2 gene variants characterized by the triad of granulomatous polyarthritis, rash, and uveitis. Atypical symptoms were recognized in one-third to one-half of individuals with BS. This study aims to describe the clinical features of BS patients with hypertension and digestive system involvement.

Methods

The complete clinical data of a BS patient complicated with hypertension and hepatic granulomas were collected and documented. We also performed a literature search to find all reported cases of BS with hypertension and digestive system involvement.

Results

We reported the case of a 19-year-old man who presented with early onset symmetric polyarthritis and hypertension at age 5 and hepatic granulomas and cirrhosis at age 19. He was diagnosed with BS by the finding of a variant of the NOD2 gene (R334W). Through the literature review, 24 patients with BS were found who were reported to have hypertension, and 38 patients were found who had different digestive system manifestations such as hepatic granulomas, hepatosplenomegaly, diverticulitis, and intestinal granuloma. Among the 38 BS patients with digestive system involvement, 14 had hepatic granulomas proven by liver biopsy.

Conclusions

Hypertension and digestive system involvement are rare manifestations of BS. Clinicians, especially rheumatologists, must be aware of atypical symptoms of BS.
Differences in the pharmacokinetics and steady-state blood concentrations of orally administered lenvatinib in adult and juvenile rats
Authors: Du Xiaoyue , Cai Hongxin , Jin Nan , Wu Zhiguo , Wang Lele , Wang Zeyu , Xie Baogang
Published: July 2023

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics and steady-state serum concentrations of lenvatinib in adult and juvenile rats.

Experimental study: An ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) method was developed to quantify lenvatinib in the serum and liver of rats. Six juvenile and six adult rats in each group were orally administered with a single dose of 7.0 mg/kg lenvatinib suspension for pharmacokinetics. Another 12 juvenile and adult rats were subjected to oral gavage with 7.0 mg/kg lenvatinib once daily for 5 days. Biofluild samples were pre-treated by protein precipitation and sorafenib was used as the internal standard for UPLC-MS analysis. The pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated by compartment and statistical model. The mRNA expression of CYP3A2 and SLC22A1 in liver of adult and juvenile rats was measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR).

Results: The UPLC-MS method met the requirements for quantitative analysis of lenvatinib in serum and liver. The pharmacokinetic results showed that the mean retention time (MRT(0-∞)) was 19.64 ± 7.64 h and 126.38 ± 130.18 h, with AUC(0-∞) values of 3.97 ± 0.73 μg‧mL-1 h and 5.95 ± 2.27 μg mL-1 h in adult and juvenile rats, respectively. When comparing adult rats (0.35 ± 0.15 μg/mL) to juvenile rats, no significant differences were observed in steady-state serum lenvatinib (0.32 ± 0.11 μg/mL), but a noteworthy decrease to one-third of steady-state liver lenvatinib was observed after multiple oral doses of lenvatinib in juvenile rats. Additional findings revealed that the mRNA expression of CYP3A2 and SLC22A1 was notably increased by 6.86 and 14.67 times, respectively, in juvenile rats compared to adult rats.

Conclusion: Juvenile rats exhibit lower levels of lenvatinib in the liver’s steady-state, potentially due to the disparity in CYP3A2 mRNA expression. These results imply that the dosage of lenvatinib for pediatric patients may need to be augmented in order to attain the desired clinical outcome.
Research trends and hotspots on the links between caveolin and cancer: bibliometric and visual analysis from 2003 to 2022
Authors: Tan Yaqian , Song Qi
Published: July 2023

Introduction: Extensive studies indicated that caveolin is a key regulator in multiple cellular processes. Recently, growing evidence demonstrated that caveolin is critically involved in tumor progression. Since no relevant bibliometric study has been published, we performed a bibliometric and visual analysis to depict the knowledge framework of research related to the involvement of caveolin in cancer.

Methods: Relevant studies published in English during 2003–2022 were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection database. Three programs (VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and R-bibliometrix) and the website of bibliometrics (http://bibliometric.com/) were applied to construct networks based on the analysis of countries, institutions, authors, journals, references, and keywords.

Results: A total of 2,463 documents were extracted and identified. The United States had the greatest number of publications and total citations, and Thomas Jefferson University was the most productive institution. Michael P. Lisanti was the most influential scholar in this research domain. Cell Cycle was the journal with the most publications on this subject. The most local-cited document was the article titled “Caveolin-1 in oncogenic transformation, cancer, and metastasis.” A comprehensive analysis has been conducted based on keywords and cited references. Initially, the research frontiers were predominantly “signal transduction”, “human breast cancer,” “oncogenically transformed cells,” “tumor suppressor gene,” and “fibroblasts.” While in recent years, the research emphasis has shifted to “tumor microenvironment,” “epithelial mesenchymal transition,” “nanoparticles,” and “stem cells.”

Conclusion: Taken together, our bibliometric analysis shows that caveolin continues to be of interest in cancer research. The hotspots and research frontiers have evolved from the regulation of cancer signaling, to potential targets of cancer therapy and novel techniques. These results can provide a data-based reference for the guidance of future research.
The synthesis of Paris saponin VII mainly occurs in leaves and is promoted by light intensity
Authors: Wen Feiyan , Chen Siyu , Wang Yue , Wu Qinghua , Yan Jie , Pei Jin , Zhou Tao
Published: July 2023

Unraveling the specific organs and tissues involved in saponin synthesis, as well as the light regulatory mechanisms, is crucial for improving the quality of artificially cultivated medicinal materials of Paris plants. Paris saponin VII (PS VII), a high-value active ingredient, is found in almost all organs of Paris plant species. In this study, we focused on Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis (Franch.) Hand. - Mzt. (PPY) and found that PS VII synthesis predominantly occurs in leaves and is increased by high light intensity. This intriguing discovery has unveiled the potential for manipulating non-traditional medicinal organ leaves to improve the quality of medicinal organ rhizomes. The analysis of the impact of organ differences on saponin concentration in P. polyphylla var. chinensis (Franch.) Hara (PPC), P. fargesii Franch. (PF), and PPY revealed consistency among the three Paris species and was mainly dominated by PS VII. Notably, the leaves and stems exhibited much higher proportions of PS VII than other organs, accounting for 80–90% of the four main saponins. Among the three Paris species, PPY had the highest concentration of PS VII and was selected for subsequent experiments. Further investigations on saponin subcellular localization, temporal variation, and stem wound fluid composition demonstrated that PS VII is synthesized in mesophyll cells, released into the intercellular space through exocytosis, and then transported to the rhizome via vascular tissue. These findings confirm the significant role of leaves in PS VII synthesis. Additionally, a 13C-glucose feeding to trace PS VII biosynthesis revealed that only PS VII in the leaves exhibited incorporation of the labeled carbon, despite conducting 13C-glucose feeding in leaves, stems, rhizomes, and roots. Thus, the leaves are indeed the primary organ for PS VII synthesis in PPY. Furthermore, compared with plants under 100 μmol m−2 s−1, plants under 400 μmol m−2 s−1 exhibited a higher PS VII concentration, particularly in the upper epidermal cells of the leaves. We propose that high light intensity promotes PS VII synthesis in leaves through three mechanisms: (1) increased availability of substrates for saponin synthesis; (2) protection of leaves from high light damage through enhanced saponin synthesis; and (3) enhanced compartmentalization of saponins within the leaves, which in turn feedback regulates saponin synthesis.
A mulberry 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase gene MaNCED1 is involved in plant growth regulation and confers salt and drought tolerance in transgenic tobacco
Authors: Zhu Panpan , Li Ruolan , Fan Wei , Xia Zhongqiang , Li Jun , Wang Chuanhong , Zhao Aichun
Published: July 2023

The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) is vital in regulating root elongation, seed germination, and abiotic stress responses in plants. Conversely, the mechanisms of ABA in mulberry root growth, seed germination, and abiotic stress responses are poorly understood. Here, we reported that exogenous ABA and drought treatment inhibited the growth of mulberry seedlings but significantly increased the ratio of root/stem. Inhibition of ABA synthesis by fluridone and sodium tungstate resulted in the decrease of root/stem ratio. We also showed that the expression of MaNCED1 in the root was strongly induced by drought and salt stress. Increasing the expression of MaNCED1 in tobacco using overexpression leads to increased root elongation and reduced seed germination. Compared with the wild type, the accumulation of H2O2 and MDA was reduced, while the POD activity and proline content was increased in the transgenic plants after drought and salt treatment. Further studies revealed increased resistance to drought and salt stress in MaNCED1 overexpressed tobaccos. Meanwhile, the auxin and ethylene signal pathway-related gene expression levels increased in MaNCED1 overexpressed tobaccos. This study demonstrated the roles of mulberry MaNCED1 in regulating plant development and abiotic stress responses. It gave further insights into the coordinated regulation of ABA, auxin, and ethylene in seed growth and germination.
Intertemporal decision-making as a mediator between personality traits and self-management in type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Deng Linfang , Luo Shaoting , Fang Qianna , Xu Jinjiang
Published: July 2023

Objectives

The aims to investigate the mediating effect of intertemporal decision-making on the association between personality traits and self-management among individuals with in Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM).

Method

Patients with T2DM in the early stages of hospitalization at two tertiary hospitals in Shenyang and Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, May 2022 to January 2023. Questionnaires, including General Demographic, Self-Management, Big Five Personality, and Intertemporal Decision-Making, were administered. Pearson correlation analysis examined relationships between personality traits, intertemporal decision-making, and self-management. Hierarchical regression analysis identified self-management predictors. Mediation analysis used the PROCESS SPSS Macro version 3.3 model 4 to investigate intertemporal decision-making as mediator between personality traits and self-management.

Results

Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant associations between self-management scores, personality traits, and intertemporal decision-making. Hierarchical regression revealed that Neuroticism and Conscientiousness accounted for 20.8% of the variance in self-management, while intertemporal decision-making explained 4.5% of the variance. Finally, using the Bootstrap method, the mediation analysis showed that intertemporal decision-making partially mediated the effect of personality traits on self-management.

Conclusion

This study emphasizes the importance of intertemporal decision-making in improving self-management behaviors among patients with T2DM. Interventions targeted at modifying intertemporal decision-making preferences could be effective in enhancing self-management behaviors, leading to better health outcomes.
Omega-3 index as risk factor in psychiatric diseases: a narrative review
Authors: Antao Helena Sofia , Sacadura-Leite Ema , Bandarra Narcisa Maria , Figueira Maria Luisa
Published: July 2023

Numerous studies have described associations between the omega-3 index (defined as the RBC percentage of EPA and DHA) and mental conditions, but no risk stratification or target value has gathered consensus so far. This narrative review aims to summarize the published data on the association between omega-3 index and mental illness and to contribute to the concept of an omega-3 index in the field of mental health. The bibliographic searches have been carried out in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases to find relevant English language original research studies related to that association. The study search and selection process were registered in a PRISMA flow. Thirty-six studies were included in this review examining the links between omega-3 index and postpartum depression (3), major depression (15), major depression and bipolar disorder (1), bipolar disorder (4), schizophrenia and major depression (1), schizophrenia and other psychosis (5) and dementia (7). Thirty of these studies found either significant differences in omega-3 index between patients and controls or inverse relationships between omega-3 index and disease severity. The published evidence is compelling enough to suggest omega-3 index as a risk factor for some psychiatric diseases, specifically, major depression, postpartum depression, psychosis, and dementia. In occidental populations, we propose a risk threshold of (a) 4–5% in major depression and dementia, (b) 5% in postpartum depression, and (c) 4% for psychosis transition.
Current trends of high-risk gene Cul3 in neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: Lin Ping , Yang Jie , Wu Shumin , Ye Tong , Zhuang Wenting , Wang Wei , Tan Tao
Published: July 2023

Cul3 encodes Cullin-3, a core component of the ubiquitin E3 ligase that is involved in protein ubiquitination. Recent studies have identified Cul3 as a high-confidence risk gene in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), especially autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Different strategies have been used to generate animal models with Cul3 deficiency in the central nervous system, including whole-brain knockout (KO), cell-type specific conditional KO (cKO), and brain region-specific knockdown. In this review, we revisited the basic properties of CUL3 and its function under physiological and pathological conditions. Recent clinical studies including case reports and large cohort sequencing studies related to CUl3 in NDDs have been summarized. Moreover, we characterized the behavioral, electrophysiological, and molecular changes in newly developed Cul3 deficiency models. This would guide further studies related to Cul3 in CNS and provide potential therapeutic targets for Cul3-deficiency-induced NDDs, including ASD.
Association of frailty with health service use among older Chinese adults: analysis of population-based panel data
Authors: Yan Rui , Li Lifeng , Duan Xiaoran , Zhao Jie
Published: July 2023

Background

Frailty is a common syndrome characterized by rapid growth in the aging population that has an impact on healthcare systems. This study aimed to investigate the impact of frailty on health service use and whether this effect varies with chronic diseases and socioeconomic status among older individuals in China.

Methods

A balanced panel data analysis was conducted on 3,306 older individuals who completed follow-ups for the three waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2011, 2013, and 2015. The Physical Frailty Phenotype (PFP) Scale was used to assess frailty status. Negative binomial regression was used to test the associations between frailty status, outpatient visits in the past 4 weeks, and annual inpatient hospital days.

Results

Compared with robust individuals, individuals with pre-frail or frail status were likely to report a higher number of outpatient visits [pre-frail: incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.16–1.41; frail: IRR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.23–1.71], and inpatient hospital days (pre-frail: IRR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.24–1.58; frail: IRR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.81–2.60) after controlling for all covariates. All five frailty components (weight loss, exhaustion, low physical activity, slowness, and weakness) were associated with a higher number of inpatient hospital days, and two components (weight loss and exhaustion) were associated with a higher number of outpatient visits. The effect of frailty on inpatient hospital stays persisted in different socioeconomic groups, across all health insurance programmes and physical comorbidities.

Conclusion

Frailty is associated with greater health service use among older individuals. Effective screening, prevention, intervention, and management of frailty may be important to reduce health service use.
Assessment of childhood immunization services at private healthcare facilities in Indonesia: a case study in a highly-populated city
Authors: Suwantika Auliya A. , Zakiyah Neily , Abdulah Rizky , Diantini Ajeng
Published: July 2023

Introduction

The need to enhance the utilization of the private sector for immunization programs in Indonesia while maintaining the high quality of services provided is evident. This study aimed to rapidly assess immunization services at private healthcare facilities in Indonesia by using Bandung, the most densely populated city, as the reference case.

Methods

Initially, a situation analysis was conducted by collecting data from selected healthcare facilities (n = 9). Furthermore, a qualitative study was taken into account by developing framework approaches and conducting interviews with different layers, such as mid-level managers at healthcare facilities (n = 9), professional organizations (n = 4), and public stakeholders (n = 7).

Results

The situation analysis showed that private healthcare facilities had provided sufficient time for essential childhood immunization services with adequate staff. Nevertheless, the number of limited staff the Ministry of Health (MoH) has trained remains a programmatic problem. Furthermore, private healthcare facilities have used the MoH guidelines and additional internal guidelines for immunization services as the primary reference, including in the efforts to provide complete and reliable equipment. Vaccine availability at private healthcare facilities is manageable with an acceptable out-of-stock level. The results of our interviews highlighted three key findings: the lack of coordination across public and private sectors, the need for immunization service delivery improvement at private healthcare facilities, and the urgency to strengthen institutional capacity for advocacy and immunization systems support.

Conclusion

Even though private healthcare facilities have been shown to make a modest contribution to childhood immunization services in Indonesia, efforts should be made to expand the role of private healthcare facilities in improving the performance of routine immunization programs.
Case report: A rare multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli causes fatal neonatal meningoencephalitis
Authors: Zhou Qingyun , Zhan Zhifei , Huang Furong , Zhao Menghua , Huang Daosheng , Xu Jun , Huang Li , Xie Liangyi , Zhang Aimin
Published: July 2023

Neonatal meningitis is rare but devastating disease. Multidrug-resistant (MDR, multi-drug resistant) bacteria are a major global health risk. We report an Escherichia coli meningitis isolate with multiple resistance patterns and unusual serotype (O75) that caused sudden neonatal death. The isolate was resistant to antibiotics other than cefoperazone/sulbactam and imipenem, challenging the combination of antibiotics commonly used in the empirical treatment of neonatal sepsis. Despite aggressive symptomatic and supportive treatment of the infant based on laboratory tests and clinical practice, the infant eventually died. This is the first case of meningoencephalitis due to serotype O75 reported in China. The presence of highly pathogenic multidrug-resistant microorganisms isolated in neonates underscores the need to implement rapid resistance diagnostic methods and should prompt consideration of alternatives to empiric treatment of neonatal bacterial meningitis.
Sex-specific associations between nine metal mixtures in urine and urine flow rate in US adults: NHANES 2009–2018
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Tang Hanhan , Zhou Minglian
Published: July 2023

Background

The urinary system serves as a crucial pathway for eliminating metallic substances from the body, making it susceptible to the effects of metal exposure. However, limited research has explored the association between metal mixtures and bladder function. This study aims to investigate the relationship between urinary metal mixtures (specifically barium, cadmium, cobalt, cesium, molybdenum, lead, antimony, thallium, and tungsten) and urine flow rate (UFR) in the general population, utilizing multiple mixture analysis models.

Methods

This study utilizes data obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. After adjusting for relevant covariates, we assessed the correlations between metal mixtures and UFR using three distinct analysis models: weighted quantile sum (WQS), quantile g-computation (qgcomp), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). Additionally, a gender-stratified analysis was conducted. Finally, we also performed sensitivity analyses.

Results

A total of 7,733 subjects were included in this study, with 49% being male. The WQS regression model, when fitted in the positive direction, did not yield any significant correlations in the overall population or in the male and female subgroups. However, when analyzed in the negative direction, the WQS index exhibited a negative correlation with UFR in the overall group (β = −0.078; 95% CI: −0.111, −0.045). Additionally, a significant negative correlation between the WQS index and UFR was observed in the female group (β = −0.108; 95% CI: −0.158, −0.059), while no significant correlation was found in the male group. The results obtained from the qgcomp regression model were consistent with those of the WQS regression model. Similarly, the BKMR regression model revealed a significant negative correlation trend between metal mixtures and UFR, with cadmium and antimony potentially playing key roles.

Conclusion

Our study revealed a significant negative correlation between urinary metal mixture exposure and mean UFR in US adults, with notable gender differences. Specifically, higher urinary levels of cadmium and antimony were identified as potential key factors contributing to the decrease in mean UFR. These findings significantly contribute to the existing knowledge on the impact of metal mixtures on bladder function and provide valuable insights for safeguarding bladder health and preventing impaired bladder function.