bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Edukasi Pembuatan Menu PMT Berbasis Pangan Lokal pada Kader Posyandu Puskesmas Mekar Mukti
Authors: Asmi Nur Fauzia , Alamsah Deni
Published: December 2022

Stunting is a problem caused by a lack of nutritional intake that lasts a long time so that it can lead to delays in children's brain, physical and motor development. Mekar Mukti is one of twenty-three villages with a priority locus for handling stunting reduction interventions in 2021. One of the efforts that can be made to accelerate stunting reduction is through the provision of adequate food for toddlers. The purpose of this activity is to provide education on the manufacture of PMT (Supplementary Food Provision) based on local food to Posyandu cadres at the Mekar Mukti Health Center. The method used is a demonstration of making pakcoy pancakes as an alternative to toddler snacks. The activity was attended by 18 Posyandu cadres in the Mekar Mukti Health Center area. The stages carried out from beginning to end were assessing the potential of local food in the local area, cooking demonstrations for making pakcoy pancake menus and evaluating implementation. The results of the activity showed that of the 18 posyandu cadres who participated in the training, as many as 10 posyandu cadres implemented local food PMT menus at their respective posyandu. The Puskesmas needs to make a continuous training schedule so that the cadres are more motivated to make PMT menus from local food.
 
ABSTRAK
Stunting merupakan permasalahan yang disebabkan kurangnya asupan zat gizi yang berlangsung lama sehingga dapat mengakibatkan keterlambatan perkembangan otak, fisik dan motorik anak. Desa Mekar Mukti merupakan satu dari dua puluh tiga desa yang menjadi lokasi fokus penanganan intervensi penurunan stunting tahun 2021.  Salah satu upaya yang dapat dilakukan untuk mempercepat penurunan stunting adalah melalui pemberian makanan yang adekuat pada balita.   Tujuan dari kegiatan ini adalah memberikan edukasi pembuatan PMT (Pemberian Makanan tambahan) berbasis pangan lokal pada kader Posyandu Puskesmas Mekar Mukti. Metode yang digunakan adalah demonstrasi pembuatan pancake pakcoy sebagai alternatif cemilan balita. Kegiatan diikuti oleh 18 kader Posyandu di wilayah Puskesmas Mekar Mukti. Tahapan yang dilakukan dari awal hingga akhir adalah pengkajian potensi pangan lokal daerah setempat, demonstrasi masak pembuatan menu pancake pakcoy dan evaluasi pelaksanaan. Hasil kegiatan  menunjukkan dari 18 kader posyandu yang ikut kegiatan pelatihan sebanyak 10 kader posyandu menerapkan pembuatan menu PMT pangan lokal di posyandu masing-masing. Puskesmas perlu membuat  jadwal pelatihan secara kontinu agar ibu kader semakin termotivasi membuat menu PMT dari pangan lokal.
Superporous acrylic acid and HPMC hydrogels of mefenamic acid: Formulation, characterization and optimization by central composite design
Authors: Khan Hafeez Ullah , Aziz Samar , Maheen Safirah , Khan Ikramullah , Andleeb Mehwish , Younis Hina , Haider Sajjad , Haider Adnan , Akhtar Muhammad Saeed , Shafqat Syed Salman
Published: December 2022

The purpose of the study was to devise the superporous hydrogels (SPHs) of mefenamic acid (MA) to acquire the sustained action of the MA in the body. The superporous hydrogels of mefenamic acid were formulated by employing the gas blowing method. The central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was applied to optimize the effect of independent formulation factors like acrylic acid (AC), HPMC and glycerol (GLY) over dependent variables like porosity, viscosity, drug content and swelling ratio of superporous hydrogels in water, phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) and in 0.1N HCl (pH 1.2). A number of characteristics such as void fraction, surface morphology by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and in vitro drug release study were governed along with physico-chemical analysis by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and appraised statistically by employing the ANOVA. The comparative analgesic activity of optimized superporous hydrogel formulation SPH17 was also analyzed by using tail flick method. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Differential scanning calorimetry studies approved the physical compatibility between the polymers and the drug. The Scanning electron microscopy study specified micrographic insight about the structure of formed formulations comprising presence of pores, fibers and drug-hole aggregates. The superporous hydrogels were detected to be low dense as they expressed density lower than 0.75 g/cc. The decrease in concentration of the polymers and cross linker contributed towards the increase in the void fraction of the superporous hydrogel formulations. The optimized formulation SPH 17 exhibited a highly sustained release of MA for up to 10 h in the both 0.1 N HCl and phosphate buffer (66.6%) media. The non-fickian release of drug revealed the coupling of the diffusion and polymer relaxation mechanism of the drug release from the formulations. The obtained outcomes suggested that analgesic effect of SPH 17 was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of simple suspension of mefenamic acid and total analgesic effect duration for superporous hydrogel was also doubled as compared to the duration of analgesic effect produced by drug suspension. The successfully formulated SPH with HPMC K100M as a gelling agent had sustained the action of the mefenamic acid (MF) by improving its poor solubility and permeability. The introduction of inter-penetrating polymeric network (acrylic acid) using glycerol as a cross linker impart increased residence time to superporous hydrogels which ultimately enhanced the feasibility of using superporous hydrogel as oral sustained release devices particularly for gastric retention.
Molecular mechanism of enhanced ethanol tolerance associated with hfq overexpression in Zymomonas mobilis
Authors: Tang Ying , Wang Yi , Yang Qing , Zhang Youpeng , Wu Yalun , Yang Yongfu , Mei Meng , He Mingxiong , Wang Xia , Yang Shihui
Published: December 2022

Zymomonas mobilis is a promising microorganism for industrial bioethanol production. However, ethanol produced during fermentation is toxic to Z. mobilis and affects its growth and bioethanol production. Although several reports demonstrated that the RNA-binding protein Hfq in Z. mobilis contributes to the tolerance against multiple lignocellulosic hydrolysate inhibitors, the role of Hfq on ethanol tolerance has not been investigated. In this study, hfq in Z. mobilis was either deleted or overexpressed and their effects on cell growth and ethanol tolerance were examined. Our results demonstrated that hfq overexpression improved ethanol tolerance of Z. mobilis, which is probably due to energy saving by downregulating flagellar biosynthesis and heat stress response proteins, as well as reducing the reactive oxygen species induced by ethanol stress via upregulating the sulfate assimilation and cysteine biosynthesis. To explore proteins potentially interacted with Hfq, the TEV protease mediated Yeast Endoplasmic Reticulum Sequestration Screening system (YESS) was established in Z. mobilis. YESS results suggested that Hfq may modulate the cytoplasmic heat shock response by interacting with the heat shock proteins DnaK and DnaJ to deal with the ethanol inhibition. This study thus not only revealed the underlying mechanism of enhanced ethanol tolerance by hfq overexpression, but also provided an alternative approach to investigate protein-protein interactions in Z. mobilis.
Aryl acrylonitriles synthesis enabled by palladium-catalyzed α-alkenylation of arylacetonitriles with vinyl halides/triflates
Authors: Jiang Yonggang , Wang Bijun , Liu Dongxiang , Xia Dazhen , Liu Zhengfen , Li Liang , Deng Guogang , Yang Xiaodong
Published: December 2022

Aryl acrylonitriles are an important subclass of acrylonitriles in the medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical industry. Herein, an efficient synthesis of aryl acrylonitrile derivatives using a Palladium/NIXANTPHOS-based catalyst system was developed. This approach furnishes a variety of substituted and functionalized aryl acrylonitriles (up to 95% yield). The scalability of the transformation and the synthetic versatility of aryl acrylonitrile were demonstrated.
Novel investigations in retinoic-acid-induced cleft palate about the gut microbiome of pregnant mice
Authors: Wang Yijia , Chen Jing , Wang Xiaotong , Guo Cui , Peng Xia , Liu Ying , Li Tianli , Du Juan
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Cleft palate (CP) is one of the most common congenital birth defects in the craniofacial region, retinoic acid (RA) gavage is the most common method for inducing cleft palate model. Although several mechanisms have been proposed to illuminate RA-induced cleft palate during embryonic development, these findings are far from enough. Many efforts remain to be devoted to studying the etiology and pathogenesis of cleft palate. Recent research is gradually shifting the focus to the effect of retinoic acid on gut microbiota. However, few reports focus on the relationship between the occurrence of CP in embryos and gut microbiota.

Methods

In our research, we used RA to induce cleft palate model for E10.5 the feces of 5 RA-treated pregnant mice and 5 control pregnant mice were respectively metagenomics analysis.

Results

Compared with the control group, Lactobacillus in the gut microbiome the RA group was significantly increased. GO, KEGG and CAZy analysis of differentially unigenes demonstrated the most abundant metabolic pathway in different groups, lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, and histidine metabolism.

Discussion

Our findings indicated that changes in the maternal gut microbiome palatal development, which might be related to changes in Lactobacillus and These results provide a new direction in the pathogenesis of CP induced by RA.
A multicenter investigation of 2,773 cases of bloodstream infections based on China antimicrobial surveillance network (CHINET)
Authors: Hu Fupin , Yuan Lili , Yang Yang , Xu Yuanhong , Huang Ying , Hu Yunjian , Ai Xiaoman , Zhuo Chao , Su Danhong , Shan Bin , Du Yan , Yu Yunsong , Lin Jie , Sun Ziyong , Chen Zhongju , Xu Yingchun , Zhang Xiaojiang , Wang Chuanqing , He Leiyan , Ni Yuxing , Zhang Yibo , Lin Dongfang , Zhu Demei , Zhang Yingyuan
Published: December 2022

Background

Bloodstream infections (BSIs), especially hospital-acquired BSIs, are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. However, the details about the pathogens and antimicrobial resistance profile of BSIs across China are still lacking.

Methods

An investigation was conducted in 10 large teaching hospitals from seven geographic regions across China in 2016 based on China Antimicrobial Surveillance Network (CHINET) to profile the clinical and etiological features of BSIs.

Results

A total of 2,773 cases of BSIs were identified, a majority (97.3%) of which were monomicrobial. Overall, 38.4% (1,065/2,773) were community-acquired BSIs (CABSIs), and 61.6% (1,708/2,773) were hospital-acquired BSIs (HABSIs). Of the 2,861 pathogenic BSI isolates, 67.5% were Gram-negative bacteria, 29.6% were Gram-positive bacteria, and 2.9% were fungi. The top BSI pathogens were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CNS), Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococci, and Acinetobacter baumannii. Escherichia coli and K. pneumoniae isolates showed low susceptibility to penicillins, cephalosporins (except ceftazidime and cefepime), and ampicillin-sulbactam (13.1%–43.4% susceptible); moderate susceptibility (about 60% susceptible) to ceftazidime, cefepime, and aztreonam; and high susceptibility (>90%) to β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations other than ampicillin-sulbactam, except K. pneumoniae strains to piperacillin-tazobactam (59.2% susceptible). HABSIs were associated with significantly higher prevalence of carbapenem-resistant and extended-spectrum β-lactamases-producing K. pneumoniae, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, methicillin-resistant CNS, and ampicillin-resistant Enterococci than CABSIs. Overall, 42.0% of the BSI due to S. aureus strains were resistant to methicillin.

Conclusions

The findings about BSIs in teaching hospitals across China add more scientific evidence to inform the appropriate management of the disease.
The clinical significance of in-house metagenomic next-generation sequencing for bronchoalveolar lavage fluid diagnostics in patients with lower respiratory tract infections
Authors: Li Shixiao , Qin Jiajia , Zhou Peng , Peng Minfei , Qian Jiao , Cai Yingying , Shi Qingxin , Tung Tao-Hsin , Shen Bo , Yu Sufei
Published: December 2022

Objective

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) technology has the potential to detect a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms. However, reports on the diagnostic value and clinical significance of different platforms of mNGS for patients with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) remain scarce.

Methods

A total of 306 patients with suspected LRTIs were enrolled from January 2019 to December 2021. The diagnostic performance of conventional methods and mNGS on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were compared. BALF mNGS was performed using a commercial and an in-house laboratory. The diagnostic value and the clinical implications of mNGS for LRTIs were analyzed for the different platforms.

Results

The positive rate of mNGS in the in-house group was higher than that in the commercial group (85.26% vs. 70.67%, p < 0.001). mNGS significantly increased the pathogen detection rate compared with conventional methods [from 70.67% vs. 22.67% (p < 0.001) to 85.26% vs. 30.77% (p < 0.001)]. The pathogens detected using mNGS included bacteria, fungi, viruses, and atypical pathogens. The in-house platform performed well on a wider spectrum of microbial distribution. Furthermore, it showed an advantage in detecting mixed pathogens in immunocompromised patients. Among the mNGS positive cases, 34 (32.0%) cases had their antibiotics adjusted in the commercial group, while 51 (38.3%) cases had a change of treatment in the in-house group. Moreover, the turnaround time of mNGS and the time from mNGS to discharge in the in-house group were significantly shorter than those in the commercial group.

Conclusion

In-house mNGS had a higher detection rate and can show a wider spectrum of pathogens, with potential benefits for the clinic by shortening the turnaround time and hospitalization, and it may be more suitable for clinical microbiology laboratories.
Predictors in language proficiency of young children with presumed developmental language disorder within the setting of early language intervention
Authors: Vermeij Bernadette A. M. , Wiefferink Carin H. , Scholte Ron H. J. , Knoors Harry
Published: December 2022

Introduction

In the Netherlands, early language intervention is offered to children with presumed Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). The intervention is a combination of group language intervention, individual speech and language therapy and parent-implemented language intervention. During the intervention, some children show more language progress than others. It is unclear what might explain this variation. In this study, we therefore explored to what extent child, parental, and treatment factors were predictive for receptive and expressive language outcomes of young children with presumed DLD during early language intervention.

Methods

Four multiple regression analyses were conducted with four child factors [pre-test receptive syntax, behavior (internalizing and externalizing), non-verbal cognitive ability and gender], one parental factor (parental stress) and one treatment factor (treatment duration) as predictors and receptive and expressive language post-test scores as outcomes. For each language post-test, the corresponding pre-test language measure was also added. Data of 183 children with presumed DLD were included.

Results

Receptive syntax problems were an important predictor of expressive language outcomes. Findings also showed a longer treatment duration to be a predictor of progress in expressive vocabulary. Internalizing behavior, externalizing behavior, non-verbal cognitive ability, gender and parental stress did not contribute to predicting language outcomes. Lower pre-intervention language scores led to lower corresponding post-intervention language scores.

Conclusions

Professionals may need to be aware that children with receptive problems may be indicative of more pervasive impairment and that it can be more difficult to improve their language problems. In fact, children with receptive language problems may need both more and different approaches. The finding that the level of the pre-intervention score has an essential influence on language outcomes underlines the importance of early diagnosis and early intervention, to prevent language problems increasing.
Rapid cardiovascular aging following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for hematological malignancy
Authors: Dillon Hayley T. , Foulkes Stephen , Horne-Okano Yuki A. , Kliman David , Dunstan David W. , Daly Robin M. , Fraser Steve F. , Avery Sharon , Kingwell Bronwyn A. , La Gerche Andre , Howden Erin J.
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) offers a potential cure for high-risk hematological malignancy; however, long-term survivors experience increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It is unclear how allo-HCT impacts cardiovascular function in the short-term. Thus, this 3-month prospective study sought to evaluate the short-term cardiovascular impact of allo-HCT in hematological cancer patients, compared to an age-matched non-cancer control group.

Methods

Before and ~3-months following allo-HCT, 17 hematological cancer patients (45 ± 18 years) underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing to quantify peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak)—a measure of integrative cardiovascular function. Then, to determine the degree to which changes in VO2peak are mediated by cardiac vs. non-cardiac factors, participants underwent exercise cardiac MRI (cardiac reserve), resting echocardiography (left-ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF], global longitudinal strain [GLS]), dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (lean [LM] and fat mass [FM]), blood pressure (BP) assessment, hemoglobin sampling, and arteriovenous oxygen difference (a-vO2diff) estimation via the Fick equation. Twelve controls (43 ± 13 years) underwent identical testing at equivalent baseline and 3-month time intervals.

Results

Significant group-by-time interactions were observed for absolute VO2peak (p = 0.006), bodyweight-indexed VO2peak (p = 0.015), LM (p = 0.001) and cardiac reserve (p = 0.019), which were driven by 26, 24, 6, and 26% reductions in the allo-HCT group (all p ≤ 0.001), respectively, as no significant changes were observed in the age-matched control group. No significant group-by-time interactions were observed for LVEF, GLS, FM, hemoglobin, BP or a-vO2diff, though a-vO2diff declined 12% in allo-HCT (p = 0.028).

Conclusion

In summary, allo-HCT severely impairs VO2peak, reflecting central and peripheral dysfunction. These results indicate allo-HCT rapidly accelerates cardiovascular aging and reinforces the need for early preventive cardiovascular intervention in this high-risk group.
Medicinal products, medical devices, or accessories of medical devices: How to qualify gases for spirometry?
Authors: Manellari Sara , Leone Maria Grazia , Casiraghi Antonella , Gennari Chiara Grazia Milena , Minghetti Paola
Published: December 2022

European legislation provides that each product used for healthcare purposes be regulated according to specific directives and regulations based on its intended use and mechanism of action. However, qualification issues may arise for medical devices, their accessories, and medicinal products. This is the case with gases for spirometry, which support spirometers in measuring patients’ pulmonary capacities. This article discusses criticisms connected to their proper regulatory qualification, detailing why they should be more properly qualified as accessories of medical devices instead of as medicinal products or medical devices.
Challenges in the treatment of late-identified untreated congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to CYP11B1 deficiency: Lessons from a developing country
Authors: Utari Agustini , Faradz Sultana M. H. , Ediati Annastasia , Rinne Tuula , Ariani Mahayu Dewi , Juniarto Achmad Zulfa , Drop Stenvert L. S. , van Herwaarden Antonius E. , Claahsen-van der Grinten Hedi L.
Published: December 2022

Background

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) due to CYP11B1 is a rare autosomal recessive adrenal disorder that causes a decrease in cortisol production and accumulation of adrenal androgens and steroid precursors with mineralocorticoid activity. Clinical manifestations include cortisol deficiency, ambiguous genitalia in females (differences of sex development (DSD)), and hypertension. Medical treatment recommendations are well defined, consisting of glucocorticoid treatment to substitute glucocorticoid deficiency and consequently normalize adrenal androgen and precursors levels. Current guidelines also emphasize the need for specialized multidisciplinary DSD teams and psychosocial support. In many developing countries, care for DSD patients, especially when caused by an adrenal disease, is challenging due to the lack of infrastructure, knowledge, and medication.

Objective

The study aims to report the conflicting decision-making process of medical treatment and sex assignment in late-identified CAH patients in developing countries.

Methods

We describe the clinical and biochemical findings and the psychological assessment of five affected but untreated family members with CAH due to CYP11B1 deficiency.

Results

All patients had a 46,XX karyotype, ambiguous genitalia, low cortisol levels, and hypertension. Two identified as males, two as females, and one had undecided gender. The patients were counselled that refusing treatment will lead to infertility and the potential risk of developing Addisonian crisis and severe hypertension. However, all 46,XX CAH males refused treatment with glucocorticoids due to the expected lowering of adrenal androgens as their main source of testosterone. None of the patients developed Addisonian crisis, probably due to some residual cortisol activity and glucocorticoid activity of elevated adrenal steroid precursors.

Conclusion

Medical treatment and sex assignment in late-identified 46,XX CAH patients in Indonesia may often depend on local and cultural factors. The management of DSD conditions may have to be individualized and integrated into the psychological and social context of the affected family.
The elevated visceral adiposity index increases the risk of hyperuricemia in Chinese hypertensive patients: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Song XiaoLi , Liu Hui , Zhu Jian , Zhou Wei , Wang Tao , Yu Chao , Zhu Lingjuan , Cheng Xiaoshu , Bao Huihui
Published: December 2022

Background

Uncertainty still remained about the relationship between visceral adiposity index (VAI) and hyperuricemia. The aim of this study was to investigate whether VAI was an independent risk factor for hyperuricemia in hypertensive Chinese patients.

Methods

A cross-sectional study including 13176 hypertensive participants (6478 males) recruited from Wuyuan County, Jiangxi province, was conducted. All patients received anthropometric measurements, completed questionnaires and provided blood samples for biochemical testing. VAI was calculated by waist circumference, BMI, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Hyperuricemia was defined as serum uric acid ≥ 7 mg/dL in men and ≥ 6 mg/dL in women.

Results

Overall, the average level of uric acid was 7.8 ± 2.0 mg/dL in males and 6.34 ± 1.78 in females and prevalence of hyperuricemia was 61.4% and 51.30%, respectively. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the risk of hyperuricemia increased 1.77 times and 1.88 times with the increase of ln VAI in males (OR:1.77, 95% CI: 1.62, 1.94) and females (OR:1.88, 95% CI: 1.73, 2.04). For males, compared to quartile 1, the risk of hyperuricemia in the second, third and the forth quartile of visceral adiposity index were 1.34 (95% CI: 1.14, 1.57),1.82(95% CI: 1.54, 2.14) and 2.97 (95% CI: 2.48, 3.57). For females, compared to quartile 1, the risk of hyperuricemia in the second, third and the forth quartile of visceral adiposity index were 1.48 (95% CI: 1.28, 1.72), 1.99 (95% CI: 1.71, 2.32) and 2.92 (95% CI: 2.50, 3.42).

Conclusions

This study found that VAI was an independent risk factor for hyperuricemia among hypertensive patients, which may provide some strategies for reducing the level of uric acid.
Construction of novel hypoxia-related gene model for prognosis and tumor microenvironment in endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Chen Junfeng , Wang Guocheng , Zhang Donghai , Luo Xiaomei , Zhang Da , Zhang Yongli
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Endometrial cancer is currently one of the three most common female reproductive cancers, which seriously threatens women’s lives and health. Hypoxia disrupts the tumor microenvironment, thereby affecting tumor progression and drug resistance.

Methods

We established hypoxia-related gene model to predict patient prognosis and 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates. Then, the expression level of hypoxia-related genes and survival data were extracted for comprehensive analysis by Cox regression analysis, and the model was established.

Results

We analyzed the survival and prognosis of patients in the high and low-risk groups. The Kaplan-Meier curve showed that the low-risk group is associated with a better survival rate. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year AUC values of the model were 0.680, 0.698, and 0.687, respectively. Finally, we found that LAG3 may be a potential immune checkpoint for endometrial cancer.

Conclusion

We found four hypoxia-related genes (ANXA2, AKAP12, NR3C1, and GPI) associated with prognosis. The hypoxia-related gene model can also predict prognosis and tumor microenvironment in endometrial cancer.
Tropospheric ozone and its natural precursors impacted by climatic changes in emission and dynamics
Authors: Dewan Surat , Lakhani Anita
Published: December 2022

Climate change plus ozone pollution is a lethal combination that adversely affects human health, agriculture productivity, ecosystems, and the world economy. Currently, there is a growing concern that climate change may aggravate ozone pollution even after reducing anthropogenic precursor source activities. Part of it may be due to temperature-enhanced natural precursor emissions of ozone, increased stratospheric–tropospheric exchange of ozone, more frequent periods with meteorologically stagnant conditions favouring pollution build-up, changes in wetland methane emissions, and enhanced concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The quantification of climate change and ozone levels involves complex chemical, radiative, biogenic, and transport processes and feedback that are difficult to fully comprehend. Further, the fact that ozone is a short-lived climate forcer and a potent greenhouse gas provides a feedback loop and makes climate-ozone links even more multifaceted. This review examines the up-to-date understanding of the processes regulating tropospheric ozone from regional to global scales and the associated climate connections. We explore the recent findings in ozone precursor emissions from natural sources, ozone formation chemistry, its transport on hemispheric scales, future plausible ozone concentrations in different shared socioeconomic pathways, and changes in the radiative forcing of ozone. The review demonstrates the challenges and limitations associated with climate-ozone linkages and their incorporation in models, which are due to uncertainties in magnitude and signs of projected precursor emissions in response to future climate change and also due to the difference in models.
Evolution of habitat quality and analysis of influencing factors in the Yellow River Delta Wetland from 1986 to 2020
Authors: Zhang Honglu , Wang Fuqiang , Zhao Heng , Kang Pingping , Tang Lei
Published: December 2022

The assessment of habitat quality plays an important role in the effective conservation of wetland biodiversity. The Yellow River Delta Wetland is located in the intertwining zone of sea, terrestrial, and river ecosystems, increasing human activities and climate change posed a great threat to wetland biodiversity. This study first analyzed the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of habitat quality in the Yellow River Delta Wetland under the evolution of the shoreline after runoff-sediment variability (1986–2020) using the InVEST-habitat quality model and then identified the dominant influence factors on habitat quality based on Geographical Detector. Finally, elasticity index was introduced to analyze the impacts of different reclamation activities on habitat quality. Results showed that the habitat quality decreased from 0.4798 in 1986 to 0.4078 in 2020, with high values of habitat quality concentrated in mudflat wetlands and low values of habitat quality concentrated in construction land and salt pans. The results of the Geographical Detector analysis showed that the influence of human activities, especially reclamation activities, had stronger effects on habitat quality than climatic factors. The elasticity index analysis showed that the elasticity of all three types of reclamation activities, namely, culture ponds, construction land, and salt pans, were negative from 1986 to 2005, 2005 to 2020, and 1986 to 2020. The reclamation activities had a negative impact on habitat quality. The habitat quality of the Yellow River Delta Wetland was most sensitive to the change in reclamation intensity of construction land from 1986 to 2020, and the sensitivity of the change of habitat quality to the change of reclamation intensity of culture ponds and salt pans was strengthening. This study explicitly revealed the effect of climate change and human activities on the habitat quality of the Yellow River Delta Wetland and proposed to analyze the response intensity of habitat quality to different reclamation activities by using the elasticity index, thus providing a scientific basis for mitigating the tradeoff between biodiversity conservation and rapid social development in the Yellow River Delta Wetland in the future.
Spiders indicate delivery of an agri-environment scheme at multiple diversity levels
Authors: Jeanneret Philippe , Pozzi Stefano , Martinez Nuñez Carlos
Published: December 2022

Agri-environment schemes (AES) are expected to counteract the negative impacts of intensive agriculture on biodiversity. These schemes were specifically designed to target farmland biodiversity and included, for instance, ecological focus areas (EFAs). In Switzerland, in order to qualify for direct payments, farmers must manage 7% or more of their land as biodiversity promotion areas (BPAs). BPAs encompass extensively managed and low intensity hay meadows, fallows (wildflower strips), traditional orchards with high-stem trees and hedgerows. Evaluation of AES delivery for biodiversity is of crucial importance but must be performed across several years and considering the various components of species diversity to avoid incomplete or wrong conclusions. From a complex study design comprising 478 fields in three regions and sampling over 7 years with four sampling times, spider assemblages of BPA habitats were compared to corresponding conventionally managed fields. A battery of investigations was performed including alpha- and beta-diversity analysis, multivariate dispersion, indicator species and species specificity to understand what BPAs deliver for spiders in the habitat scale and farming landscape. Results showed that alpha-diversity (average number of species) was usually higher in BPA habitats than in conventionally managed fields but the species composition (beta-diversity) had more power to perceive AES impact. Furthermore, the various environmental conditions of BPAs in the farming landscape led to highly diverse spider assemblages (multivariate dispersion) emphasizing that not only the agricultural management plays a role in determining species diversity but the environmental heterogeneity. Indicator (and rare) species were mostly found in woody BPAs (hedges and high-stem tree orchards) revealing the high importance of these BPA habitats for spider conservation. At regional scale, BPA hedges contributed most to the regional diversity of spiders in grassland and mixed regions while BPA meadows and wildflower strip BPAs were first delivering in the region of arable crops. Recommendations highlight the role of the woody habitats and of the environmental heterogeneity in the farming landscape as well as of regional planning to make AES effective.
Immune-based combination therapy for esophageal cancer
Authors: Wang Huiling , Xu Yufei , Zuo Fengli , Liu Junzhi , Yang Jiqiao
Published: December 2022

Esophageal cancer (EC) is an aggressive malignancy raising a healthcare concern worldwide. Standard treatment options include surgical resection, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted molecular therapy. The five-year survival rate for all stages of EC is approximately 20%, ranging from 5% to 47%, with a high recurrence rate and poor prognosis after treatment. Immunotherapy has shown better efficacy and tolerance than conventional therapies for several malignancies. Immunotherapy of EC, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and adoptive cell therapy, has shown clinical advantages. In particular, monoclonal antibodies against PD-1 have a satisfactory role in combination therapy and are recommended for first- or second-line treatments. Here, we present a systematic summary and analysis of immunotherapy-based combination therapies for EC.
TLR7 agonism accelerates disease in a mouse model of primary Sjögren’s syndrome and drives expansion of T-bet+ B cells
Authors: Punnanitinont Achamaporn , Kasperek Eileen M. , Kiripolsky Jeremy , Zhu Chengsong , Miecznikowski Jeffrey C. , Kramer Jill M.
Published: December 2022

Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of exocrine tissue, resulting in loss of tears and saliva. Patients also experience many extra-glandular disease manifestations. Treatment for pSS is palliative, and there are currently no treatments available that target disease etiology. Previous studies in our lab demonstrated that MyD88 is crucial for pSS pathogenesis in the NOD.B10Sn-H2b (NOD.B10) pSS mouse model, although the way in which MyD88-dependent pathways become activated in disease remains unknown. Based on its importance in other autoimmune diseases, we hypothesized that TLR7 activation accelerates pSS pathogenesis. We administered the TLR7 agonist Imiquimod (Imq) or sham treatment to pre-disease NOD.B10 females for 6 weeks. Parallel experiments were performed in age and sex-matched C57BL/10 controls. Imq-treated pSS animals exhibited cervical lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and expansion of TLR7-expressing B cells. Robust lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine tissues, kidney and lung was observed in pSS mice following treatment with Imq. TLR7 agonism also induced salivary hypofunction in pSS mice, which is a hallmark of disease. Anti-nuclear autoantibodies, including Ro (SSA) and La (SSB) were increased in pSS mice following Imq administration. Cervical lymph nodes from Imq-treated NOD.B10 animals demonstrated an increase in the percentage of activated/memory CD4+ T cells. Finally, T-bet+ B cells were expanded in the spleens of Imq-treated pSS mice. Thus, activation of TLR7 accelerates local and systemic disease and promotes expansion of T-bet-expressing B cells in pSS.
Immune system modulation in aging: Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets
Authors: Cisneros Bulmaro , García-Aguirre Ian , Unzueta Juan , Arrieta-Cruz Isabel , González-Morales Oscar , Domínguez-Larrieta Juan M. , Tamez-González Aura , Leyva-Gómez Gerardo , Magaña Jonathan J.
Published: December 2022

The function of the immune system declines during aging, compromising its response against pathogens, a phenomenon termed as “immunosenescence.” Alterations of the immune system undergone by aged individuals include thymic involution, defective memory T cells, impaired activation of naïve T cells, and weak memory response. Age-linked alterations of the innate immunity comprise perturbed chemotactic, phagocytic, and natural killing functions, as well as impaired antigen presentation. Overall, these alterations result in chronic low-grade inflammation (inflammaging) that negatively impacts health of elderly people. In this review, we address the most relevant molecules and mechanisms that regulate the relationship between immunosenescence and inflammaging and provide an updated description of the therapeutic strategies aimed to improve immunity in aged individuals.
Associations between serum urate and telomere length and inflammation markers: Evidence from UK Biobank cohort
Authors: Lv Zhengtao , Cui Jiarui , Zhang Jiaming
Published: December 2022

Objective

Hyperuricemia and gout have become gradually more common. The effect of serum urate on organism aging and systematic inflammation is not determined. This study aims to evaluate whether serum urate is causally associated with cellular aging markers and serum inflammation markers.

Methods

A Mendelian randomization study was performed on summary-level data from the largest published genome-wide association studies. Single nucleotide polymorphisms with a genome-wide significance level were selected as instrumental variables for leukocyte telomere length (LTL), and serum soluble makers of inflammation (CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, and IGF-1). Standard inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was used as the primary statistical method. The weighted median, MR-Egger regression, and MR-PRESSO methods were used for sensitivity analysis.

Results

An inverse causal association of genetically predicted serum urate levels and LTL was found using IVW method (OR: 0.96, 95%CI 0.95, 0.97; β=-0.040; SE=0.0072; P=4.37×10-8). The association was also supported by MR results using MR-Egger method and weighted median method. The MR-PRESSO analysis and leave-one-out sensitivity analysis supported the robustness of the combined results. In terms of other aging-related serum biomarkers, there was no evidence supporting a causal effect of serum urate on CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, or IGF-1 levels.

Conclusions

Serum urate levels are negatively associated with telomere length but are not associated with serum soluble indicators of inflammation. Telomere length may be a critical marker that reflects urate-related organismal aging and may be a mechanism in the age-related pathologies and mortality caused by hyperuricemia.
Immunoproteasome inhibition attenuates experimental psoriasis
Authors: del Rio Oliva Marta , Mellett Mark , Basler Michael
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease associated with multiple comorbidities. The immunoproteasome is a special form of the proteasome expressed in cells of hematopoietic origin.

Methods

The therapeutic use of ONX 0914, a selective inhibitor of the immunoproteasome, was investigated in Card14ΔE138+/- mice, which spontaneously develop psoriasis-like symptoms, and in the imiquimod murine model.

Results

In both models, treatment with ONX 0914 significantly reduced skin thickness, inflammation scores, and pathological lesions in the analyzed skin tissue. Furthermore, immunoproteasome inhibition normalized the expression of several pro-inflammatory genes in the ear and significantly reduced the inflammatory infiltrate, accompanied by a significant alteration in the αβ+ and γδ+ T cell subsets.

Discussion

ONX 0914 ameliorated psoriasis-like symptoms in two different murine psoriasis models, which supports the use of immunoproteasome inhibitors as a therapeutic treatment in psoriasis.
The immunological characteristics of TSPAN1 expressing B cells in autoimmune hepatitis
Authors: Ou Yiyan , Chen Ruiling , Qian Qiwei , Cui Nana , Miao Qi , Tang Ruqi , You Zhengrui , Ma Xiong , Wang Qixia
Published: December 2022

Background and aims

Tetraspanin proteins are closely related to the functional changes of B cells, including antigen presentation, production of cytokines, and transduction. We aim to explore the potential role of Tetraspanin 1 (TSPAN1) in the biological activities of B cells in AIH.

Methods and results

Herein, this study found that numbers of cells expressing TSPAN1 were significantly increased in AIH patients compared to PBC, chronic hepatitis B, and healthy control (P < 0.0001). Moreover, there was a positive correlation between numbers of TSPAN1+ cells and AIH disease severity (P < 0.0001). Immunofluorescence staining further confirmed that TSPAN1 was primarily expressed on CD19+ B cells. Flow-cytometric analysis showed that TSPAN1+ B cells secreted more inflammatory cytokines and expressed higher level of CD86 than TSPAN1- B cells. Furthermore, compared with TSAPN1- cells, the expression of CXCR3 on TSPAN1+ cells was also higher. Meanwhile, CXCL10, the ligand of CXCR3, was significantly elevated in the liver of AIH (P < 0.01) and had positive correlation with the quantities of TSPAN1 (P < 0.05). Interestingly, the numbers of TSPAN1+ B cells were decreased in AIH patients after immunosuppressive therapy.

Conclusions

TSPAN1+ B cells in the liver may promote the progression of AIH via secreting cytokines and presenting antigens. The chemotactic movement of TSPAN1+ B cells toward the liver of AIH was possibly due to CXCR3 - CXCL10 interaction.
Phenotypic alteration of low-density granulocytes in people with pulmonary post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Dean Logan S. , Devendra Gehan , Jiyarom Boonyanudh , Subia Natalie , Tallquist Michelle D. , Nerurkar Vivek R. , Chang Sandra P. , Chow Dominic C. , Shikuma Cecilia M.  , Park Juwon
Published: December 2022

Background

Low-density granulocytes (LDGs) are a distinct subset of neutrophils whose increased abundance is associated with the severity of COVID-19. However, the long-term effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on LDG levels and phenotypic alteration remain unexplored.

Methods

Using participants naïve to SARS-CoV-2 (NP), infected with SARS-CoV-2 with no residual symptoms (NRS), and infected with SARS-CoV-2 with chronic pulmonary symptoms (PPASC), we compared LDG levels and their phenotype by measuring the expression of markers for activation, maturation, and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation using flow cytometry.

Results

The number of LDGs was elevated in PPASC compared to NP. Individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 (NRS and PPASC) demonstrated increased CD10+ and CD16hi subset counts of LDGs compared to NP group. Further characterization of LDGs demonstrated that LDGs from COVID-19 convalescents (PPASC and NRS) displayed increased markers of NET forming ability and aggregation with platelets compared to LDGs from NP, but no differences were observed between PPASC and NRS.

Conclusions

Our data from a small cohort study demonstrates that mature neutrophils with a heightened activation phenotype remain in circulation long after initial SARS-CoV-2 infection. Persistent elevation of markers for neutrophil activation and NET formation on LDGs, as well as an enhanced proclivity for platelet-neutrophil aggregation (PNA) formation in COVID-19 convalescent individuals may be associated with PPASC prognosis and development.
Mechanisms for upward migration of methane in marine sediments
Authors: Liu Haotian , Zhan Linsen , Lu Hailong
Published: December 2022

Methane, a non-negligible component of the global carbon budget, could be discharged upward through marine sediments to ocean floor by certain migration mechanisms. Although quite some studies have been conducted, the mechanisms for methane migration have not been well reviewed yet, especially in hydrate-bearing sediments. In this study, methane migration mechanisms are classified into diffusion and advection processes which include water movement, free gas flow, sediment failures, and recently developed gas migration through hydrate channels. The occurrence of natural gas hydrate might affect methane migration in three ways: (1) reducing the permeability of marine sediments and consequently hindering the upward movement of methane either in gas or liquid phase, (2) enhancing the geomechanical strength of marine sediments, which prevents the creation of new pathways for methane escape by sediment failures, and (3) benefiting upward methane migration by constructing hydrate channels at the interface of continuous gas columns. Generally, dissolved methane could hardly break through the gas hydrate stability zone and sulfate-methane transition zone because of the high consumption rate for methane in these two zones. For free methane gas, the capillary force is a strong resistance to free gas flow in porous sediments. However, whether for dissolved methane or free methane gas, discharge along pre-existing fractures or failure surfaces might be considerable. In addition, methane discharge by gas flow through hydrate channels is still hard to constrain. Finally, based on current research uncertainties in constraining the methane flux to the ocean, the research outlook is also addressed. It is suggested that more investigations should be conducted in three aspects: the flow characteristic of high-permeability conduits, the quantitative correlations of geomechanical properties and hydrate distribution, and the occurrence conditions of hydrate channels.
Broad distribution of spider-shaped lebensspuren along the Australian continental margin
Authors: Przeslawski Rachel
Published: December 2022

During feeding and burrowing, many epibenthic and infaunal animals bioturbate sediments and form a range of traces called lebensspuren (German for ‘life traces’), defined as any type of sedimentary structure produced by a living organism. During a 2020 survey along western Australia in the Gascoyne Marine Park, a distinct trace was observed several times, identical to the ‘spider trace’ observed in a 2007 survey along eastern Australia, over 4000 km away. The purpose of this brief note is to document and describe the occurrence of this unique and distinctive type of lebensspuren and to discuss ways in which similar observations may be effectively shared to increase our understanding of deep-sea biology.
Abrupt change of a thermal front in a high-biomass coastal zone during early spring
Authors: Li Jian , Li Peiliang , Bai Peng , Zhai Fangguo , Gu Yanzhen , Liu Cong , Sun Ruili , Wu Wenfan
Published: December 2022

Coastal fronts play vital roles in local biogeochemical environment. An abrupt change of Zhejiang-Fujian coastal front (ZFCF) during early spring was well captured by multi-source satellite-retrieved sea surface temperature images. Here in this study, we investigated the mechanism of the abrupt decay with a combination of satellite observation and numerical simulation. Correlation analysis of long-term reanalysis data indicates that the variability of wind, heat flux and the Zhejiang-Fujian coastal current (ZFCC) have significant relationships with the variation of ZFCF in winter. Following heat budget analysis points out that net heat flux and horizontal advection are important in determining the net temperature tendency difference between two water masses of ZFCF during this process. To further explore the intrinsic physical roles of different dynamic factors, a comprehensive numerical investigation was conducted. Compared with the observations, the model reproduced the abrupt change process of the ZFCF satisfyingly. Sensitive experiments reveal that the weakening of the ZFCC, caused by the relaxation of the monsoon, contributes to the abrupt decay of ZFCF in the first half period, and heating effect of the Kuroshio Intrusion (KI) water gives rise to the following half period of the decay under the recovered monsoon. Further, with the impact of the KI water after the change, the ZFCF can be maintained even if the ZFCC is weak, whereas in January, the contribution of the KI water to the formation of the ZFCF seems to be limited under the prevailing monsoon. Besides, the riverine discharge and the tidal forcing can also modulate the spatiotemporal variation of ZFCF, the decrease of the river input also intensifies that decay, while tides fix the front at a specific depth.