bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Probiotics in Alleviating Postweaning Diarrhea in Piglets From the Perspective of Intestinal Barriers
Authors: Su Weifa , Gong Tao , Jiang Zipeng , Lu Zeqing , Wang Yizhen
Published: June 2022

Early weaning of piglets is an important strategy for improving the production efficiency of sows in modern intensive farming systems. However, due to multiple stressors such as physiological, environmental and social challenges, postweaning syndrome in piglets often occurs during early weaning period, and postweaning diarrhea (PWD) is a serious threat to piglet health, resulting in high mortality. Early weaning disrupts the intestinal barrier function of piglets, disturbs the homeostasis of gut microbiota, and destroys the intestinal chemical, mechanical and immunological barriers, which is one of the main causes of PWD in piglets. The traditional method of preventing PWD is to supplement piglet diet with antibiotics. However, the long-term overuse of antibiotics led to bacterial resistance, and antibiotics residues in animal products, threatening human health while causing dysbiosis of gut microbiota and superinfection of piglets. Antibiotic supplementation in livestock diets is prohibited in many countries and regions. Regarding this context, finding antibiotic alternatives to maintain piglet health at the critical weaning period becomes a real emergency. More and more studies showed that probiotics can prevent and treat PWD by regulating the intestinal barriers in recent years. Here, we review the research status of PWD-preventing and treating probiotics and discuss its potential mechanisms from the perspective of intestinal barriers (the intestinal microbial barrier, the intestinal chemical barrier, the intestinal mechanical barrier and the intestinal immunological barrier) in piglets.
A Microbiota-Dependent Response to Anticancer Treatment in an In Vitro Human Microbiota Model: A Pilot Study With Hydroxycarbamide and Daunorubicin
Authors: Hobson Claire Amaris , Vigué Lucile , Magnan Mélanie , Chassaing Benoit , Naimi Sabrine , Gachet Benoit , Claraz Pauline , Storme Thomas , Bonacorsi Stephane , Tenaillon Olivier , Birgy André
Published: June 2022

Background

Anticancer drug efficacy is linked to the gut microbiota’s composition, and there is a dire need to better understand these interactions for personalized medicine.In vitromicrobiota models are promising tools for studies requiring controlled and repeatable conditions. We evaluated the impact of two anticancer drugs on human feces in the MiniBioReactor Array (MBRA)in vitromicrobiota system.

Methods

The MBRA is a single-stage continuous-flow culture model, hosted in an anaerobic chamber. We evaluated the effect of a 5-day treatment with hydroxycarbamide or daunorubicine on the fecal bacterial communities of two healthy donors. 16S microbiome profiling allowed analysis of microbial richness, diversity, and taxonomic changes.

Results

In this host-free setting, anticancer drugs diversely affect gut microbiota composition. Daunorubicin was associated with significant changes in alpha- and beta-diversity as well as in the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes in a donor-dependent manner. The impact of hydroxycarbamide on microbiota composition was not significant.

Conclusion

We demonstrated, for the first time, the impact of anticancer drugs on human microbiota composition, in a donor- and molecule-dependent manner in anin vitrohuman microbiota model. We confirm the importance of personalized studies to better predict drug-associated-dysbiosisin vivo, linked to the host’s response to treatment.
Pre-Exposure With Extracellular Vesicles From Aspergillus fumigatus Attenuates Inflammatory Response and Enhances Fungal Clearance in a Murine Model Pulmonary Aspergillosis
Authors: Souza Jéssica Amanda Marques , Gurgel Isabella Luísa da Silva , Malacco Nathália Luísa Sousa de Oliveira , Martins Flávia Rayssa Braga , Queiroz-Junior Celso Martins , Teixeira Mauro Martins , Soriani Frederico Marianetti
Published: June 2022

Aspergillus fumigatus is a ubiquitous and saprophytic filamentous fungus and the main etiologic agent of aspergillosis. Infections caused by A. fumigatus culminate in a strong inflammatory response that can evolve into respiratory failure and may be lethal in immunocompromised individuals. In the last decades, it has been demonstrated that extracellular vesicles (EVs) elicit a notable biological response in immune cells. EVs carry a variety of biomolecules, therefore are considered potential antigen delivery vehicles. The role of EVs as a strategy for modulating an effective response against infections caused by A. fumigatus remains unexplored. Here we investigate the use of EVs derived from A. fumigatus as an immunization tool to induce a more robust immune response to A. fumigatus pulmonary infection. In order to investigate that, male C57BL/6 mice were immunized with two doses of EVs and infected with A. fumigatus. Pre-exposure of mice to EVs was able to induce the production of specific IgG serum for fungal antigens. Besides that, the immunization with EVs reduced the neutrophilic infiltrate into the alveoli, as well as the extravasation of total proteins and the production of proinflammatory mediators IL-1β, IL-6, and CXCL-1. In addition, immunization prevented extensive lung tissue damage and also improved phagocytosis and fungus clearance. Noteworthy, immunization with EVs, associated with subclinical doses of Amphotericin B (AmB) treatment, rescued 50% of mice infected with A. fumigatus from lethal fungal pneumonia. Therefore, the present study shows a new role for A. fumigatus EVs as host inflammatory response modulators, suggesting their use as immunizing agents.
The Inverse Correlation Between the Duration of Lifetime Occupational Radiation Exposure and the Prevalence of Atrial Arrhythmia
Authors: Thirumal Rithika , Vanchiere Catherine , Bhandari Ruchi , Jiwani Sania , Horswell Ronald , Chu San , Chamaria Surbhi , Katikaneni Pavan , Boerma Marjan , Gopinathannair Rakesh , Olshansky Brian , Bailey Steven , Dominic Paari
Published: June 2022

Objective

Advancements in fluoroscopy-assisted procedures have increased radiation exposure among cardiologists. Radiation has been linked to cardiovascular complications but its effect on cardiac rhythm, specifically, is underexplored.

Methods

Demographic, social, occupational, and medical history information was collected from board-certified cardiologists via an electronic survey. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the risk of atrial arrhythmias (AA).

Results

We received 1,478 responses (8.8% response rate) from cardiologists, of whom 85.4% were male, and 66.1% were ≤65 years of age. Approximately 36% were interventional cardiologists and 16% were electrophysiologists. Cardiologists > 50 years of age, with > 10,000 hours (h) of radiation exposure, had a significantly lower prevalence of AA vs. those with ≤10,000 h (11.1% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.019). A multivariable logistic regression was performed and among cardiologists > 50 years of age, exposure to > 10,000 radiation hours was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of AA, after adjusting for age, sex, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea (adjusted OR 0.57; 95% CI 0.38–0.85, p = 0.007). The traditional risk factors for AA (age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obstructive sleep apnea) correlated positively with AA in our data set. Cataracts, a well-established complication of radiation exposure, were more prevalent in those exposed to > 10,000 h of radiation vs. those exposed to ≤10,000 h of radiation, validating the dependent (AA) and independent variables (radiation exposure), respectively.

Conclusion

AA prevalence may be inversely associated with radiation exposure in Cardiologists based on self-reported data on diagnosis and radiation hours. Large-scale prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.
Mechanical Strain Induces Transcriptomic Reprogramming of Saphenous Vein Progenitors
Authors: Maselli Davide , Garoffolo Gloria , Cassanmagnago Giada Andrea , Vono Rosa , Ruiter Matthijs S. , Thomas Anita C. , Madeddu Paolo , Pesce Maurizio , Spinetti Gaia
Published: June 2022

Intimal hyperplasia is the leading cause of graft failure in aortocoronary bypass grafts performed using human saphenous vein (SV). The long-term consequences of the altered pulsatile stress on the cells that populate the vein wall remains elusive, particularly the effects on saphenous vein progenitors (SVPs), cells resident in the vein adventitia with a relatively wide differentiation capacity. In the present study, we performed global transcriptomic profiling of SVPs undergoing uniaxial cyclic strain in vitro. This type of mechanical stimulation is indeed involved in the pathology of the SV. Results showed a consistent stretch-dependent gene regulation in cyclically strained SVPs vs. controls, especially at 72 h. We also observed a robust mechanically related overexpression of Adhesion Molecule with Ig Like Domain 2 (AMIGO2), a cell surface type I transmembrane protein involved in cell adhesion. The overexpression of AMIGO2 in stretched SVPs was associated with the activation of the transforming growth factor β pathway and modulation of intercellular signaling, cell-cell, and cell-matrix interactions. Moreover, the increased number of cells expressing AMIGO2 detected in porcine SV adventitia using an in vivo arterialization model confirms the upregulation of AMIGO2 protein by the arterial-like environment. These results show that mechanical stress promotes SVPs' molecular phenotypic switching and increases their responsiveness to extracellular environment alterations, thus prompting the targeting of new molecular effectors to improve the outcome of bypass graft procedure.
How Should Anesthesiologists Face Coronavirus Disease 2019?
Authors: Feng Long , Fu Shihui , Zhang Pei , Yao Yao , Feng Zeguo , Zhao Yali , Luo Leiming
Published: June 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious disease. Most infected patients manifest mild flu-like symptoms, but in some cases, the patients rapidly develop severe lung infections and pneumonia. It is estimated that about 15–20% of patients with COVID-19 develop hypoxemia and require some form of oxygen therapy and ventilation support. Further, exacerbation of the disease usually requires an emergency tracheal intubation, where the patients are more prone to coughing and aerosol diffusion, placing the anesthesiologist at an extremely high risk of infection. In this review, after a brief introduction to the epidemiology and pathogenesis of the COVID-19, we describe various recommendations that the anesthesiologists should employ to avoid the chances of infection during the management of severely ill patients. We describe key steps such as not removing the patient's mask prematurely and using sedatives, analgesics, and muscle relaxants for rapid and orderly intubation. The use of spinal cord and regional nerve block anesthesia should also be promoted to avoid general anesthesia. Since the patients with COVID-19 may also have disorders related to other parts of the body (other than lungs), short-acting drugs are recommended to actively maintain the perfusion pressure of the peripheral and important organs without metabolism of the drugs by the liver and kidney. Multimodal analgesia is advocated, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic drugs can be used appropriately. In this review, we also discuss key studies and experiences of anesthesiologists from China, highlights research findings, and inform on the proper management of patients with perspective on anesthesiologists.
Mechanism of Coal Burst Triggered by Mining-Induced Fault Slip Under High-Stress Conditions: A Case Study
Authors: Bai Jinzheng , Dou Linming , Li Jiazhuo , Zhou Kunyou , Cao Jinrong , Kan Jiliang
Published: June 2022

Coal burst disaster is easily triggered by mining-induced fault unloading instability involving underground engineering. The high-static stress environment caused by complex geological structures increases the difficulty in predicting and alleviating such geological disasters caused by humans. At present, the mechanism of coal burst induced by mining-induced slip fault under high-stress conditions still cannot be reasonably explained. In this study, the burst accidents occurring near mining-induced slip fault under high-stress conditions were carefully combined, and the “time–space–intensity” correlation of excavation, fault, and syncline and anticline structure of the mining areas was summarized. On this basis, the rotation characteristics of the main stress field of the fault surface subjected to mining under high-stress conditions and the evolution law of stress were analyzed. Last, based on the spectrum characteristics of mining-induced tremors, the first motion of the P-wave, and the ratio of Es/Ep, the source mechanism behind mining-induced fault slip under high-stress conditions was revealed. The results demonstrate that the coal burst triggered by the fault slip instability under high-stress conditions is closely related to the excavation disturbance and the fold structure. Mining activities trigger the unloading and activation of the discontinuous structural surface of the fault, the rotation of the stress field, and the release of a large amount of elastic strain energy and cause dynamic disasters such as coal bursts. The research results in this study are helpful to enrich the cognition of the inducing mechanism of fault coal burst.
Family Environment Hostility as the Missing Element Between School Bullying Victimization and Anorexia
Authors: Mikhaylova Oxana , Bochaver Alexandra
Published: June 2022

Eating disorders significantly impact the quality of life of the persons they affect, as well as their involvement in school bullying. People with bulimia and binge-eating disorders are known to be more likely to be victims of bullying; however, studies provide mixed evidence on the connection between bullying and anorexia. Therefore, in this paper, we suggest an explanation for the bullying victimization of people with anorexia. Our theoretical framework is based on psychoanalytical research on eating disorders, and we illustrate our arguments with the results of biographical interviews with 50 girls who have been diagnosed with anorexia. We show that a hostile family environment may influence the girls’ proneness to fall victim to school bullying. Therefore, school staff hoping to address the involvement of girls with anorexia in bullying should be aware of the role that family members play in bullying victimization and tailor interventions accordingly.
Active-Support Integrated Control Method for Renewable Energy Generation Voltage Source Converters
Authors: Tianfeng Chu , Jun Zhao , Pengwei Zhao , Dianyang Li , Gang Liu , Zhaowei Ling
Published: June 2022

Aiming at the grid connection stability of renewable energy generation Voltage Source Converters (VSCs), an active support integrated control strategy is proposed in this article. First, the standard third-order model based on synchronous generator is established, and the renewable energy generation VSCs are equivalent to an approximate synchronous voltage source with the excitation system and speed regulation system. Second, an improved virtual impedance control is added on the basis of the model, which can reduce the impact of impulse current and improve the reactive power support capacity during fault by switching the virtual impedance during fault. At the same time, a virtual dual PSS control is added to the model, and the damping torque method is used to provide positive damping torque for the system and improve the oscillation suppression ability of the system. Finally, a simulation system is built to verify the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.
Application of Financial Flow Simulator (eSOSView™) for Analyzing Financial Viability and Developing a Sustainable Fecal Sludge Management Business Model in Kushtia, Bangladesh
Authors: Akbar Chinna Mohideen Sheik Mohammed Shibl , Singh Shirish , Chowdhury Tanvir Ahamed , Brdjanovic Damir
Published: June 2022

To achieve SDG 6.2.1 (a) on safely managed sanitation services, several financial flow models (FFMs) and business models for the sanitation value chain have been implemented in Bangladesh and elsewhere; however, there is limited research on financial viability and sustainability of business models. Bangladesh has attained 99% sanitation coverage, mostly with onsite sanitation systems; however, the country is facing a second-generation sanitation challenge, fecal sludge management, encompassing the entire sanitation chain. Kushtia Municipality in Bangladesh is entirely served by onsite systems; the fecal sludge emptying service is provided by the municipality, and the fecal sludge treatment plant is managed by a private entity. This study investigated sustainability of FFMs in Kushtia by using the financial, institutional, environmental, technical, and social (FIETS) sustainability approach and applying the financial flow simulator (eSOSView™) tool to analyze financial viability. Several criteria in each aspect of the FIETS approach were developed, scored, and validated by stakeholders to determine sustainability. The study found that the financial aspect is the most important criteria for sustainability and “modified parallel tax and discharge fee” is the most sustainable business model for Kushtia.
Management of Natural Disaster and Its Influence on Economic–Environmental Performance: Fresh Evidence From BRICS
Authors: Lu Fami
Published: June 2022

Previous literature documented the importance of natural disasters and their impact on economic performance, but it ignored the effects on the environment. This study examines the effect of natural disasters on the economic and environmental performance of BRICS economies over the period 1995–2019. This study applies panel autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) and panel quantile regression approaches. The empirical findings show that natural disasters decrease economic growth but increase CO2 emissions. The findings of panel quantile regression display a significant negative impact of natural disasters on economic growth from the middle (30th) to higher (80th) quantiles. However, natural disasters significantly increase carbon emissions from the middle (50th) to higher (95th) quantiles. This study suggests the importance of proper planning for the management of natural disasters.
An Integrated Approach to Characterize Temporal–Spatial Variations in PM2.5 Concentrations at the Ground Level and Its Implication on Health Impact Assessments
Authors: Ho Ming-Shing , Lin Ming-Yeng , Wang Jung-Der , Young Li-Hao , Hsu Hui-Tsung , Hwang Bing-Fang , Tsai Perng-Jy
Published: June 2022

Although PM2.5 concentrations measured by the governmental air quality monitoring station (AQMS) have been widely used for conducting exposure assessments, it might be not able to reflect the residents’ exposures, especially for those associated with ground emissions. The present study was conducted in a city area for 1 year. A mobile monitoring station (MMS) was established to measure the PM2.5 concentrations at the ground level. A significant linear relationship (R2 = 0.53) was found between the MMS-measured concentrations and the corresponding concentrations obtained from the AQMS (15 m above the ground level), and the former was ∼ 1.11 times (95% CI: 1.08-1.15) in magnitude higher than that of the latter. To characterize the spatial variation of the area, the MMS-measured values were further classified into three different regions. A consistent trend was found in the present study for all collected data as industry region≒urban region > harbor region. The aforementioned results clearly indicate that the residents’ ambient PM2.5 exposures do have spatial differences. Seven-year AQMS-measured concentrations (i.e., AQMS7-yr) were used to establish the long-term PM2.5 concentrations at the ground level (i.e., MMS7-yr) of the three different regions using the linear regression equations obtained from the MMS and AQMS. Health impact functions and local health data were used to quantify the PM2.5-attributable health burden for both AQMS7-yr and MMS7-yr, respectively. Results show that the former is ∼ 10.4% lower in magnitude than the latter in the estimated lung cancer death attributed fraction (AF). In particular, the decrease of unit PM2.5 (μg/m3) would lead to a 0.75 and 0.71% decrease in the estimated AF of lung cancer death for AQMS7-yr and MMS7-yr, respectively. As a result, directly using AQMS7-yr would lead to an underestimation of ∼ 1,000 lung cancer deaths annually in Taiwan in comparison with those using MMS7-yr. The aforementioned results clearly indicate the importance of characterizing ground-level exposures for assessing the health impact of residents, and the methodology developed by the present study would be helpful for solving the aforementioned problem.
Family-Level Bio-Indication Does not Detect the Impacts of Dams on Macroinvertebrate Communities in a Low-Diversity Tropical River
Authors: Dusabe Marie Claire , Neubauer Thomas A. , Muvundja Fabrice A. , Hyangya Béni L. , Albrecht Christian
Published: June 2022

The Ruzizi River, the outlet of Lake Kivu in the Albertine Rift, flows into Lake Tanganyika and is important for hydropower generation and irrigation. The impacts of 2 dams in the Ruzizi River on macroinvertebrate community composition and diversity were surveyed every 3 months from December 2015 to October 2017. Macroinvertebrate samples were collected at sites upstream and downstream and additionally at two sites further downstream of the dams, in both comparatively pristine and highly disturbed areas. Several indices (Shannon-Wiener index, Simpson index, Pielou’s evenness, Rare Family Prevalence, and Average Score Per Taxa) were used to determine the alpha diversity and evenness of macroinvertebrates at the family level. Our results showed little to no immediate effect of the dams on macroinvertebrate diversity. Macroinvertebrate composition differed slightly below the dams compared to upstream. Communities near Dam II had slightly higher diversity compared to Dam I, probably because the vicinity to Lake Kivu has an immediate effect on diversity upstream of the first dam and likely because Dam II is 30 years younger than Dam I. This study suggests the importance of using species-level indices to better understand the ecological impacts of dams on macroinvertebrate diversity of tropical rivers with low species diversity.
Testing the Role of Environmental Harshness and Sexual Selection in Limb Muscle Mass in Anurans
Authors: Yang Yue Jun , Jiang Ying , Mi Zhi Ping , Liao Wen Bo
Published: June 2022

Sexual dimorphism is regarded as the consequence of differential responses by males and females to selection pressures. Limb muscle plays a very important role during amplexus, which is likely to be under both natural and sexual selection in anurans. Here, we studied the effects of natural and sexual selection on limb muscle mass in males and females across 64 species of anurans. The results showed that there were non-significant differences in relative limb muscle mass between the sexes among species, exhibiting no sexual dimorphism in limb muscle. Absolute and relative limb muscle mass positively displayed correlations with snout-vent length (SVL)for both sexes. However, neither male-biased operational sex ratio (OSR) nor environmental harshness [e.g., coefficient of variation (CV) in temperature and CV in rainfall] can explain relative limb muscle mass (e.g., forelimb, hindlimb, and total limb muscle) within each sex. The findings suggest that environmental harshness and sexual selection cannot play important roles in promoting variations in limb muscle among anuran species.
Identification of Core Genes and Screening of Potential Targets in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Using Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Li Jianjun , Yu Cheng , Ni Songjia , Duan Yang
Published: June 2022

Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), characterized by diverse pathological changes, causes low back pain (LBP). However, prophylactic and delaying treatments for IDD are limited. The aim of our study was to investigate the gene network and biomarkers of IDD and suggest potential therapeutic targets.

Methods: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with IDD were identified by analyzing the mRNA, miRNA, and lncRNA expression profiles of IDD cases from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The protein–protein interaction (PPI) network, Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis as well as miRNA–lncRNA–mRNA networks were conducted. Moreover, we obtained 71 hub genes and performed a comprehensive analysis including GO, KEGG, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), gene set variation analysis (GSVA), Disease Ontology (DO), methylation analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, immune infiltration analysis, and potential drug identification. We finally used qRT-PCR to verify 13 significant DEGs in normal and degenerative nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs).

Results: We identified 305 DEGs closely related to IDD. The GO and KEGG analyses indicated that changes in IDD are significantly associated with enrichment of the inflammatory and immune response. GSEA analysis suggested that cell activation involved in the inflammatory immune response amide biosynthetic process was the key for the development of IDD. The GSVA suggested that DNA repair, oxidative phosphorylation, peroxisome, IL-6-JAK-STAT3 signaling, and apoptosis were crucial in the development of IDD. Among the 71 hub genes, the methylation levels of 11 genes were increased in IDD. A total of twenty genes showed a high functional similarity and diagnostic value in IDD. The result of the immune cell infiltration analysis indicated that seven genes were closely related to active natural killer cells. The most relevant targeted hub genes for potential drug or molecular compounds were MET and PIK3CD. Also, qRT-PCR results showed that ARHGAP27, C15orf39, DEPDC1, DHRSX, MGAM, SLC11A1, SMC4, and LINC00887 were significantly downregulated in degenerative NPCs; H19, LINC00685, mir-185-5p, and mir-4306 were upregulated in degenerative NPCs; and the expression level of mir-663a did not change significantly in normal and degenerative NPCs.

Conclusion: Our findings may provide new insights into the functional characteristics and mechanism of IDD and aid the development of IDD therapeutics.
Differential Expression of Genes Regulating Store-operated Calcium Entry in Conjunction With Mitochondrial Dynamics as Potential Biomarkers for Cancer: A Single-Cell RNA Analysis
Authors: Hegde Mangala , Daimary Uzini Devi , Jose Sandra , Sajeev Anjana , Chinnathambi Arunachalam , Alharbi Sulaiman Ali , Shakibaei Mehdi , Kunnumakkara Ajaikumar B.
Published: June 2022

Regulation of intracellular concentration of calcium levels is crucial for cell signaling, homeostasis, and in the pathology of diseases including cancer. Agonist-induced entry of calcium ions into the non-excitable cells is mediated by store-operated calcium channels (SOCs). This pathway is activated by the release of calcium ions from the endoplasmic reticulum and further regulated by the calcium uptake through mitochondria leading to calcium-dependent inactivation of calcium-release activated calcium channels (CARC). SOCs including stromal interaction molecules (STIM) and ORAI proteins have been implicated in tumor growth, progression, and metastasis. In the present study, we analyzed the mRNA and protein expression of genes mediating SOCs—STIM1, STIM2, ORAI1, ORAI2, ORAI3, TRPC1, TRPC3, TRPC4, TRPC5, TRPC6, TRPC7, TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPM1, and TRPM7 in head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSC) patients using TCGA and CPTAC analysis. Further, our in silico analysis showed a significant correlation between the expression of SOCs and genes involved in the mitochondrial dynamics (MDGs) both at mRNA and protein levels. Protein-protein docking results showed lower binding energy for SOCs with MDGs. Subsequently, we validated these results using gene expression and single-cell RNA sequencing datasets retrieved from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Single-cell gene expression analysis of HNSC tumor tissues revealed that SOCs expression is remarkably associated with the MDGs expression in both cancer and fibroblast cells.
Identification of Extracellular Matrix Signatures as Novel Potential Prognostic Biomarkers in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zeng Zhen , Zuo Yuanli , Jin Yang , Peng Yong , Zhu Xiaofeng
Published: June 2022

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is vital to normal cellular function and has emerged as a key factor in cancer initiation and metastasis. However, the prognostic and oncological values of ECM organization-related genes have not been comprehensively explored in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients. In this study, we included LUAD samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA, training set) and other three validation sets (GSE87340, GSE140343 and GSE115002), then we constructed a three-gene prognostic signature based on ECM organization-related genes. The prognostic signature involving COL4A6, FGA and FSCN1 was powerful and robust in both the training and validation datasets. We further constructed a composite prognostic nomogram to facilitate clinical practice by integrating an ECM organization-related signature with clinical characteristics, including age and TNM stage. Patients with higher risk scores were characterized by proliferation, metastasis and immune hallmarks. It is worth noting that high-risk group showed higher fibroblast infiltration in tumor tissue. Accordingly, factors (IGFBP5, CLCF1 and IL6) reported to be secreted by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) showed higher expression level in the high-risk group. Our findings highlight the prognostic value of the ECM organization signature in LUAD and provide insights into the specific clinical and molecular features underlying the ECM organization-related signature, which may be important for patient treatment.
Effect of Normobaric Oxygen Inhalation Intervention on Microcirculatory Blood Flow and Fatigue Elimination of College Students After Exercise
Authors: Peng Yong , Meng Liang , Zhu Huan , Wan Li , Chen Fen
Published: June 2022

Objective: To explore the effect of normobaric oxygen inhalation intervention on microcirculatory blood flow of college students after exercise and the impact of the elimination of exercise-induced fatigue, to provide a theoretical and methodological reference for the rapid elimination of fatigue of college students after endurance exercise.

Methods: Forty-eight male non-sports majors of Hubei University for nationalities were randomly divided into the control group (n = 24) and intervention group (n = 24). The subjects in both groups completed the same exercise program twice (running 3,000 m on the treadmill at maximum speed). After running, the issues in the intervention group inhaled portable oxygen for 30 min, and the control group recovered naturally. Microcirculatory blood flow (MBP), blood flow velocity (AVBC), blood flow concentration (CMBC), muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2), heart rate (HR), blood lactic acid (BLA), blood urea (BU), and creatine kinase (CK) were measured before exercise, immediately after exercise and 30 min after exercise.

Results: 1) MBP and AVBC had interaction between groups and time before and after exercise, MBP and AVBC immediately after exercise in the intervention group were significantly higher than those before exercise and 30 min after exercise, and 30 min after exercise in the intervention group were significantly higher than those in the control group. 2) SmO2, HR, BLA, BU, and CK had interaction between groups and time, and SmO2 immediately after exercise in the intervention group was significantly lower than that before exercise and 30 min after exercise, but significantly higher than that in the control group at 30 min after exercise. The HR and BLA immediately after exercise in the intervention group were significantly higher than those before exercise and 30 min after exercise, but significantly lower than those in the control group at 30 min after exercise, and the BU and CK in the intervention group were significantly higher than those before exercise, but significantly lower than those in the control group at 30 min after exercise.

Conclusion: Normobaric oxygen inhalation for 30 min after exercise can delay the decrease of microcirculatory blood flow, increase muscle oxygen saturation, and promote the recovery of heart rate, blood lactic acid, blood urea and creatine kinase. Therefore, normobaric oxygen inhalation for 30 min after exercise can be used as an effective means to promote the elimination of exercise-induced fatigue after endurance running.
Modulation of Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Diseases by Gasdermins
Authors: Liang Fang , Qin Weixiao , Zeng Yilan , Wang Dan
Published: June 2022

Autoimmune diseases and autoinflammatory diseases are two types of the immune system disorders. Pyroptosis, a highly inflammatory cell death, plays an important role in diseases of immune system. The gasdermins belong to a pore-forming protein gene family which are mainly expressed in immune cells, gastrointestinal tract, and skin. Gasdermins are regarded as an executor of pyroptosis and have been shown to possess various cellular functions and pathological effects such as pro-inflammatory, immune activation, mediation of tumor, etc. Except for infectious diseases, the vital role of gasdermins in autoimmune diseases, autoinflammatory diseases, and immune-related neoplastic diseases has been proved recently. Therefore, gasdermins have been served as a potential therapeutic target for immune disordered diseases. The review summarizes the basic molecular structure and biological function of gasdermins, mainly discusses their role in autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases, and highlights the recent research on gasdermin family inhibitors so as to provide potential therapeutic prospects.
Exploration of Different Hypoxia Patterns and Construction of a Hypoxia-Related Gene Prognostic Index in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Bai Shuheng , Chen Ling , Yan Yanli , Li Rong , Zhou Yun , Wang Xuan , Kang Haojing , Feng Zhaode , Li Guangzu , Zhou Shuling , Drokow Emmanuel Kwateng , Ren Juan
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has been proven to be a highly efficacious treatment for colorectal adenocarcinoma (COAD). However, it is still unclear how to identify those who might benefit the most from ICI therapy. Hypoxia facilitates the progression of the tumor from different aspects, including proliferation, metabolism, angiogenesis, and migration, and improves resistance to ICI. Therefore, it is essential to conduct a comprehensive understanding of the influences of hypoxia in COAD and identify a biomarker for predicting the benefit of ICI.

Methods

An unsupervised consensus clustering algorithm was used to identify distinct hypoxia-related patterns for COAD patients from TCGA and the GEO cohorts. The ssGSEA algorithm was then used to explore the different biological processes, KEGG pathways, and immune characteristics among distinct hypoxia-related clusters. Some hypoxia-related hub genes were then selected by weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). Subsequently, univariate Cox regression analysis, multivariate Cox regression analysis, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression were utilized to construct a hypoxia-related gene prognostic index (HRGPI). Finally, validation was also conducted for HRGPI in prognostic value, distinguishing hypoxia-related characteristics and benefits of ICI.

Results

We identified four hypoxia-related clusters and found that different hypoxia response patterns induced different prognoses significantly. Again, we found different hypoxia response patterns presented distinct characteristics of biological processes, signaling pathways, and immune features. Severe hypoxia conditions promoted activation of some cancer-related signaling pathways, including Wnt, Notch, ECM-related pathways, and remodeled the tumor microenvironment of COAD, tending to present as an immune-excluded phenotype. Subsequently, we selected nine genes (ANO1, HOXC6, SLC2A4, VIP, CD1A, STC2, OLFM2, ATP6V1B1, HMCN2) to construct our HRGPI, which has shown an excellent prognostic value. Finally, we found that HRGPI has an advantage in distinguishing immune and molecular characteristics of hypoxia response patterns, and it could also be an excellent predictive indicator for clinical response to ICI therapy.

Conclusion

Different hypoxia response patterns activate different signaling pathways, presenting distinct biological processes and immune features. HRGPI is an independent prognostic factor for COAD patients, and it could also be used as an excellent predictive indicator for clinical response to ICI therapy.
Controlling Inflammation Pre-Emptively or at the Time of Cutaneous Injury Optimises Outcome of Skin Scarring
Authors: Ud-Din Sara , Bayat Ardeshir
Published: June 2022

Inflammation plays an active role during the wound healing process. There is a direct association between the extent of injury as well as inflammation and the amount of subsequent cutaneous scarring. Evidence to date demonstrates that high levels of inflammation are associated with excessive dermal scarring and formation of abnormal pathological scars such as keloids and hypertrophic scars. In view of the multiple important cell types being involved in the inflammatory process and their influence on the extent of scar formation, many scar therapies should aim to target these cells in order to control inflammation and by association help improve scar outcome. However, most current treatment strategies for the management of a newly formed skin scar often adopt a watch-and-wait approach prior to commencing targeted anti-inflammatory therapy. Moreover, most of these therapies have been evaluated in the remodelling phase of wound healing and the evaluation of anti-inflammatory treatments at earlier stages of healing have not been fully explored and remain limited. Taken together, in order to minimise the risk of developing a poor scar outcome, it is clear that adopting an early intervention prior to skin injury would be optimal, however, the concept of pre-emptively priming the skin prior to injury has not yet been thoroughly evaluated. Therefore, the aim of this review was to evaluate the available literature regarding scar therapies that aim to target inflammation which are commenced prior to when a scar is formed or immediately after injury, with a particular focus on the role of pre-emptive priming of skin prior to injury in order to control inflammation for the prevention of poor scarring outcome.
Low Memory T Cells Blood Counts and High Naïve Regulatory T Cells Percentage at Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis
Authors: Canto-Gomes João , Silva Carolina S. , Rb-Silva Rita , Boleixa Daniela , da Silva Ana Martins , Cheynier Rémi , Costa Patrício , González-Suárez Inés , Correia-Neves Margarida , Cerqueira João J. , Nobrega Claudia
Published: June 2022

Objective

The aim of this study is to assess the peripheral immune system of newly diagnosed patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and compare it to healthy controls (HC).

Methods

This cross-sectional study involves 30 treatment-naïve newly diagnosed patients with RRMS and 33 sex- and age-matched HC. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed regarding: i) thymic function surrogates [T cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) and recent thymic emigrants (RTEs)]; ii) naïve and memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells subsets; iii) T helper (Th) phenotype and chemokine receptors expression on CD8+ T cells subsets; iv) regulatory T cell (Tregs) phenotype; and exclude expression of activating/inhibitory receptors by natural killer (NK) and NKT cells. Analyses were controlled for age, sex, and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) IgG seroprevalence.

Results

Newly diagnosed patients with RRMS and HC have equivalent thymic function as determined by similar numbers of RTEs and levels of sjTRECs, DJβTRECs, and sj/DJβTREC ratio. In the CD8+ T cells compartment, patients with RRMS have a higher naive to memory ratio and lower memory cell counts in blood, specifically of effector memory and TemRA CD8+ T cells. Interestingly, higher numbers and percentages of central memory CD8+ T cells are associated with increasing time from the relapse. Among CD4+ T cells, lower blood counts of effector memory cells are found in patients upon controlling for sex, age, and anti-HCMV IgG seroprevalence. Higher numbers of CD4+ T cells (both naïve and memory) and of Th2 cells are associated with increasing time from the relapse; lower numbers of Th17 cells are associated with higher MS severity scores (MSSS). Patients with RRMS have a higher percentage of naïve Tregs compared with HC, and lower percentages of these cells are associated with higher MSSS. Percentages of immature CD56bright NK cells expressing the inhibitory receptor KLRG1 and of mature CD56dimCD57+ NK cells expressing NKp30 are higher in patients. No major alterations are observed on NKT cells.

Conclusion

Characterization of the peripheral immune system of treatment-naïve newly diagnosed patients with RRMS unveiled immune features present at clinical onset including lower memory T cells blood counts, particularly among CD8+ T cells, higher percentage of naïve Tregs and altered percentages of NK cells subsets expressing inhibitory or activating receptors. These findings might set the basis to better understand disease pathogenesis.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Participation, Effort, Physical Activity, and Well-Being of Sea Anglers in the UK
Authors: Hook Samantha A. , Brown Adam , Bell Brigid , Kroese Jo , Radford Zachary , Hyder Kieran
Published: June 2022

Recreational sea angling is an important recreational activity in the United Kingdom with around 1.6% of adults participating and a total economic impact of around £1.5 billion each year. There are positive impacts of angling on physical health and mental well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in several national lockdowns in the UK, which along with additional local restrictions and personal circumstances due to the pandemic, have impacted people’s ability to fish. Angling was not allowed in the UK for some of the first lockdown (March to May 2020), and further restrictions were implemented subsequently that varied between the countries and regions. The impact of COVID-19 on the participation, effort, physical activity, and well-being of UK sea anglers remains unknown. A panel of UK sea anglers, which record their activity and catches as part of the Sea Angling Diary Project, were surveyed to assess changes in sea angling participation, physical activity, mental well-being, and expenditure between 2019 and 2020. We compared the sea angling effort and catches of the diary panel between 2019 and 2020. We found reduced sea angling effort in the panel, including sessions and catches, between 2019 and 2020, with the largest impact being in April 2020. We found that there was a significant reduction in expenditure during April 2020 with 64% of respondents spending less on sea angling than in a typical April. In total, 67% of respondents reported reduced happiness and 45% were less active due to sea angling restrictions. Using a general linear model, we found that even though anglers said that being able to go fishing has resulted in high World Health Organization Five Well-being Index scores, other factors also had significant effects. These included: age; physical and mental health status; angling activity; travel to fish during COVID-19; and whether they fished in July 2020. Of those who responded, 66% classified themselves as at either high or moderate risk to COVID-19. This work has shown that COVID-19 has negatively affected marine recreational fisheries in the UK, and not being able to go sea angling has negatively impacted participation, effort, physical activity and well-being.
Vertical Profiles of 226Ra and 228Ra Activity Concentrations in the Western Subarctic Gyre of the Pacific Ocean
Authors: Tazoe Hirofumi , Obata Hajime , Hara Takuya , Inoue Mutsuo , Tanaka Takahiro , Nishioka Jun
Published: June 2022

The vertical activity concentration distributions of the radium isotopes, 226Ra and 228Ra, which are useful as radiotracers, were obtained for the first time in the western Subarctic Pacific Gyre (WSAG). It was possible to detect short-lived 228Ra present from the surface to 400 m depth by analyzing large seawater samples. Low 228Ra and high 226Ra activity concentrations in the surface layer in the WSAG were strongly influenced by upwelled deeper water with nutrients. The activity concentration distribution of 226Ra especially was in good agreement with the silicate concentration distribution, which was consistent with previous reported findings. These distributions were uniform from the surface to 100 m of the dichothermal layer due to vertical mixing in winter. 228Ra activity concentration decreased with water depth below the pycnocline and reached the undetectable level at 600 m which was within the oxygen minimum layer. Estimations of vertical fluxes of 228Ra and nitrate according to 228Ra decay indicated that the vertical transport by eddy diffusion was a minor process for the 228Ra and nitrate fluxes, and lateral transport mainly affected 228Ra in the intermediate warm water, that is, the mesothermal layer below the main pycnocline. Vertical mixing or submarine underground water and lateral transport to the WSAG could yield this 228Ra in the intermediate depth.
Synthesizing Empirical and Modelling Studies to Predict Past and Future Primary Production in the North Sea
Authors: Spence Michael A. , Lynam Christopher P. , Thorpe Robert B. , Heneghan Ryan F. , Dolder Paul J.
Published: June 2022

Understanding change at the base of the marine foodwebs is fundamental to understanding how climate change can impact fisheries. However, there is a shortage of empirical measurements of primary productivity, and models estimates often disagree with each other by an order of magnitude or more. In this study we incorporate information from empirical studies and a suite of Earth system models statistically downscaled using an ensemble model to produce estimates of North Sea primary production with robust quantification of uncertainties under two different climate scenarios. The results give a synthesised estimate of primary production that can feed into regional fisheries models. We found that Earth system models describe the dynamics of primary production in the North Sea poorly, and therefore the effects of climate change on future primary production are uncertain. The methods demonstrated here can be applied to other geographical locations and are not limited in application to primary production.