bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of cryopreservation on viability, gene expression and function of enteric nervous system derived neurospheres
Authors: Heumüller-Klug Sabine , Maurer Kristina , Tapia-Laliena María Á. , Sticht Carsten , Christmann Anne , Mörz Handan , Khasanov Rasul , Wink Elvira , Schulte Steven , Greffrath Wolfgang , Treede Rolf-Detlef , Wessel Lucas M. , Schäfer Karl-Herbert
Published: June 2023

Introduction: Impairment of both the central and peripheral nervous system is a major cause of mortality and disability. It varies from an affection of the brain to various types of enteric dysganglionosis. Congenital enteric dysganglionosis is characterized by the local absence of intrinsic innervation due to deficits in either migration, proliferation or differentiation of neural stem cells. Despite surgery, children’s quality of life is reduced. Neural stem cell transplantation seems a promising therapeutic approach, requiring huge amounts of cells and multiple approaches to fully colonize the diseased areas completely. A combination of successful expansion and storage of neural stem cells is needed until a sufficient amount of cells is generated. This must be combined with suitable cell transplantation strategies, that cover all the area affected. Cryopreservation provides the possibility to store cells for long time, unfortunately with side effects, i.e., upon vitality.

Methods: In this study we investigate the impact of different freezing and thawing protocols (M1-M4) upon enteric neural stem cell survival, protein and gene expression, and cell function.

Results: Freezing enteric nervous system derived neurospheres (ENSdN) following slow-freezing protocols (M1-3) resulted in higher survival rates than flash-freezing (M4). RNA expression profiles were least affected by freezing protocols M1/2, whereas the protein expression of ENSdN remained unchanged after treatment with protocol M1 only. Cells treated with the most promising freezing protocol (M1, slow freezing in fetal calf serum plus 10% DMSO) were subsequently investigated using single-cell calcium imaging. Freezing of ENSdN did not alter the increase in intracellular calcium in response to a specific set of stimuli. Single cells could be assigned to functional subgroups according to response patterns and a significant shift towards cells responding to nicotine was observed after freezing.

Discussion: The results demonstrate that cryopreservation of ENSdN is possible with reduced viability, only slight changes in protein/gene expression patterns and without an impact on the neuronal function of different enteric nervous system cell subtypes, with the exception of a subtle upregulation of cells expressing nicotinergic acetylcholine receptors. In summary, cryopreservation presents a good method to store sufficient amounts of enteric neural stem cells without neuronal impairment, in order to enable subsequent transplantation of cells into compromised tissues.
Spermatogenic cell-specific SPACA4 is essential for efficient sperm-zona pellucida binding in vitro
Authors: Chen Lin , Song Junli , Zhang Jinglei , Luo Zicong , Chen Xuren , Zhou Canquan , Shen Xiaoting
Published: June 2023

Fertilization is a complex and highly regulated process that involves a series of molecular interactions between sperm and oocytes. However, the mechanisms of proteins involved in human fertilization, such as that of testis-specific SPACA4, remain poorly understood. Here we demonstrated that SPACA4 is a spermatogenic cell-specific protein. SPACA4 is expressed during spermatogenesis, upregulated in early-stage spermatids, and downregulated in elongating spermatids. SPACA4 is an intracellular protein that locates in the acrosome and is lost during the acrosome reaction. Incubation with antibodies against SPACA4 inhibited the binding of spermatozoa to zona pellucida. SPACA4 protein expression levels across different semen parameters were similar but varied significantly among patients. A prospective clinical study found no association between SPACA4 protein levels and fertilization or cleavage rates. Thus, the study suggests a novel function for SPACA4 in human fertilization in a non-dose-dependent manner. However, a larger clinical trial is required to evaluate the potential use of sperm SPACA4 protein levels to predict fertilization potential.
Inflammasomes during SARS-CoV-2 infection and development of their corresponding inhibitors
Authors: Diarimalala Rominah Onintsoa , Wei Yanhong , Hu Da , Hu Kanghong
Published: June 2023

Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to be a burden for human health since its outbreak in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Recently, the emergence of new variants of concerns (VOCs) is challenging for vaccines and drugs efficiency. In severe cases, SARS-CoV-2 provokes inappropriate hyperinflammatory immune responses leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and even death. This process is regulated by inflammasomes which are activated after binding of the viral spike (S) protein to cellular angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor and triggers innate immune responses. Therefore, the formation of “cytokines storm” leads to tissue damage and organ failure. NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) is the best studied inflammasome known to be activated during SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, some studies suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with other inflammasomes as well; such as NLRP1, absent in melanoma-2 (AIM-2), caspase-4 and -8 which were mostly found during dsRNA virus or bacteria infection. Multiple inflammasome inhibitors that exist for other non-infectious diseases have the potential to be used to treat severe SARS-CoV-2 complications. Some of them have showed quite encouraging results during pre- and clinical trials. Nevertheless, further studies are in need for the understanding and targeting of SARS-Cov-2-induced inflammasomes; mostly an update of its role during the new VOCs infection is necessary. Hence, this review highlights all reported inflammasomes involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection and their potential inhibitors including NLRP3- and Gasdermin D (GSDMD)-inhibitors. Further strategies such as immunomodulators and siRNA are also discussed. As highly related to COVID-19 severe cases, developing inflammasome inhibitors holds a promise to treat severe COVID-19 syndrome effectively and reduce mortality.
68Ga-labeled WVP peptide as a novel PET probe for molecular biological diagnosis of unstable thoracic aortic aneurysm and early dissection: an animal study
Authors: Lu Xia , Zhu Meilin , Zhao Lingzhou , Qi Feiran , Zou Heng , He Peng , Zhou Haizhong , Shi Kuangyu , Du Jie
Published: June 2023

Objective

Type IV collagen (Col-IV) is a prospective biomarker for diagnosing and treating of unstable thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD). This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of 68Ga-labeled WVP peptide (68Ga-DOTA-WVP) as a novel Col-IV-targeted probe for TAAD biological diagnosis using PET/CT.

Methods

WVP peptide was modified with bifunctional chelator DOTA for 68Ga radiolabeling. Immunohistochemical staining was used to evaluate the expression and location of Col-IV and elastin in aortas treated with 3-aminopropionitrile fumarate (BAPN) at different time points (0, 2, and 4 weeks). The imaging performance of 68Ga-DOTA-WVP was investigated using Micro-PET/CT in a BAPN-induced TAAD mouse model. The relationship between 68Ga-DOTA-WVP uptake in aortic lesions and the serum levels of TAAD-related biomarkers including D-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum soluble suppression of tumorigenicity−2 (sST2) was also analyzed.

Results

68Ga-DOTA-WVP was readily prepared with high radiochemical purity and stability in vitro. 68Ga-DOTA-WVP Micro-PET/CT could detect Col-IV exposure of unstable aneurysms and early dissection in BAPN-induced TAAD mice, but little 68Ga-DOTA-WVP uptake was shown in the control group at each imaging time point. The differences of Col-IV expression and distribution of 68Ga-DOTA-WVP both in TAAD and control groups further verified the imaging efficiency of 68Ga-DOTA-WVP PET/CT. Additionally, a higher sST2 level was found in the imaging positive (n = 14) than the negative (n = 8) group (9.60 ± 1.14 vs. 8.44 ± 0.52, P = 0.014).

Conclusion

68Ga-DOTA-WVP could trace the exposure and abnormal deposition of Col-IV in enlarged and early injured aortas, showing a potential for biological diagnosis, whole-body screening, and progression monitoring of TAAD.
Time to clinical improvement: an appropriate surrogate endpoint for pulmonary arterial hypertension medication trials
Authors: Wang An , Chen Mengqi , Zhuang Qi , Guan Lihua , Xie Weiping , Wang Lan , Huang Wei , Cheng Zhaozhong , Yu Shiyong , Zhou Hongmei , Shen Jieyan
Published: June 2023

Background

Many retrospective studies suggest that risk improvement may be a suitable efficacy surrogate endpoint for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) medication trials. This prospective multicenter study assessed the efficacy of domestic ambrisentan in Chinese PAH patients and observed risk improvement and time to clinical improvement (TTCI) under ambrisentan treatment.

Methods

Eligible patients with PAH were enrolled for a 24-week treatment with ambrisentan. The primary efficacy endpoint was 6-min walk distance (Δ6MWD). The exploratory endpoints were risk improvement and TTCI, defined as the time from initiation of treatment to the first occurrence of risk improvement.

Results

A total of 83 subjects were enrolled. After ambrisentan treatment, Δ6MWD was significantly increased at week 12 (42.2 m, P < 0.0001) and week 24 (53.4 m, P < 0.0001). Within 24 weeks, risk improvement was observed in 53 (64.6%) subjects (P < 0.0001), which is higher than WHO-FC (30.5%) and TAPSE/PASP (32.9%). Kaplan–Meier analysis of TTCI showed a median improvement time of 131 days and a cumulative improvement rate of 75.1%. Also, TTCI is consistent across different baseline risk status populations (log-rank P = 0.51). The naive group had more risk improvement (P = 0.043) and shorter TTCI (log-rank P = 0.008) than the add-on group, while Δ6MWD did not show significant differences between the two groups.

Conclusions

Domestic ambrisentan significantly improved the exercise capacity and risk status of Chinese PAH patients. TTCI has a relatively high positive event rate within 24-week treatment duration. Compared to Δ6MWD, TTCI is not affected by baseline risk status. Additionally, TTCI could identify better improvements in patients, which Δ6MWD does not detect. TTCI is an appropriate composite surrogate endpoint for PAH medication trials.

Clinical Trial Registration

NCT No. [ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT05437224].
Evaluation of Formosa score and diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of four Asian risk scores for predicting intravenous immunoglobulin resistance in Kawasaki disease: a bivariate meta-analysis
Authors: Chiang Wan-Ni , Huang Po-Yu , Kuo Ho-Chang , Huang Ying-Hsien , Chang Ling-Sai
Published: June 2023

Background

In 2016, Lin et al. developed a prediction score of non-responsiveness to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) (Lin et al., 2016). Various studies have attempted to validate the Formosa score, but inconsistent results have given us new opportunities and challenges. The aim of this meta-analysis is to explore the role of the Formosa score as a risk score in detecting IVIG-resistant KD patients and then compare the pooled sensitivity and specificity of four Asian risk scores, Egami, Formosa, Kobayashi, and Sano risk scores.

Methods

A comprehensive search of Cochrane, Embase, and PubMed was conducted through 20 December 2021, using key terms relevant to the research question “What are the sensitivities and specificities of the four Asian predicting scores, Egami, Formosa, Kobayashi, and Sano, in Kawasaki disease patients with IVIG resistance?” The reference lists of the included studies were manually reviewed to identify pertinent references. A random-effects bivariate model was used to estimate the summary of sensitivity and specificity of the tools.

Results

We found 41 relevant studies of the four Asian risk scores that were eligible to analyze for pooled accuracy. Eleven studies involving 5,169 KD patients reported the diagnostic performance of the Formosa score for the risk of IVIG resistance. The overall performance of the Formosa score was as follows: pooled sensitivity, 0.60 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.48–0.70]; pooled specificity, 0.59 (95% CI, 0.50–0.68); and area under the hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.62. The Formosa score exhibited the highest sensitivity 0.76 (95% CI, 0.70–0.82) for detecting IVIG-resistant KD patients among the 21,389 children included in the 41 studies. In terms of specificity estimates, Formosa had the lowest specificity of 0.46 (95% CI, 0.41–0.51).

Conclusion

Patients at high risk for IVIG resistance may receive adjunctive treatment to reduce coronary lesions and thus also cardiovascular morbidity. Among all of the included studies, we found Formosa score to have the best sensitivity (0.76) but unsatisfactory specificity (0.46) for predicting IVIG resistance in Kawasaki disease. In the future, network meta-analysis should also incorporate the accuracy of the new scores after they have undergone a certain degree of validation around the world.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, PROSPERO CRD42022341410.
Monocyte and macrophage foam cells in diabetes-accelerated atherosclerosis
Authors: Cervantes Jocelyn , Kanter Jenny E.
Published: June 2023

Diabetes results in an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This minireview will discuss whether monocyte and macrophage lipid loading contribute to this increased risk, as monocytes and macrophages are critically involved in the progression of atherosclerosis. Both uptake and efflux pathways have been described as being altered by diabetes or conditions associated with diabetes, which may contribute to the increased accumulation of lipids seen in macrophages in diabetes. More recently, monocytes have also been described as lipid-laden in response to elevated lipids, including triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, the class of lipids often elevated in the setting of diabetes.
Lithic technological strategies of Late Pleistocene hominins in the Daoshui River valley, Hunan province, central South China
Authors: Li Yiyuan , Li Hao , Sumner Alexandra , Zhang Jiafu
Published: June 2023

The Late Pleistocene is a crucial period of dramatic changes in lithic technologies as well as interactions between modern humans and other archaic human groups. In this paper, we describe the technological analysis of lithic assemblages collected from 28 newly discovered Paleolithic sites along the Daoshui River, a tributary of the Lishui River (itself a tributary of Yangtze River) in northern Hunan Province, central South China. Luminescence dating of several sites in this region has provided a general Late Pleistocene age range for lithic assemblages. Technologically, high quality raw materials are predominantly exploited (e.g., chert and siliceous slate) and direct hard hammer percussion predominates which lacks the classic Levallois technology though conceptually, some specimens do exhibit a certain degree of volumetric control and share other common features with prepared cores, here we tentatively define them as “simply prepared cores.” Small flakes and flake tool production plays a primary role in the overall technological strategy, accompanying a small proportion of large flakes and Large Cutting Tools production. Our examination of lithic technologies in the region clearly contrasts with the traditional view of South China being characterized by a simple cobble tool industry over the course of the Pleistocene period. We further discuss the issue of the Middle Paleolithic in China, as well as the ecological adaptations of hominins in the Daoshui River valley within a Late Pleistocene climatic context.
Differential gene expression in the calvarial and cortical bone of juvenile female mice
Authors: Janssen Jerome Nicolas , Kalev-Altman Rotem , Shalit Tali , Sela-Donenfeld Dalit , Monsonego-Ornan Efrat
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Both the calvarial and the cortical bones develop through intramembranous ossification, yet they have very different structures and functions. The calvaria enables the rapid while protected growth of the brain, whereas the cortical bone takes part in locomotion. Both types of bones undergo extensive modeling during embryonic and post-natal growth, while bone remodeling is the most dominant process in adults. Their shared formation mechanism and their highly distinct functions raise the fundamental question of how similar or diverse the molecular pathways that act in each bone type are.

Methods

To answer this question, we aimed to compare the transcriptomes of calvaria and cortices from 21-day old mice by bulk RNA-Seq analysis.

Results

The results revealed clear differences in expression levels of genes related to bone pathologies, craniosynostosis, mechanical loading and bone-relevant signaling pathways like WNT and IHH, emphasizing the functional differences between these bones. We further discussed the less expected candidate genes and gene sets in the context of bone. Finally, we compared differences between juvenile and mature bone, highlighting commonalities and dissimilarities of gene expression between calvaria and cortices during post-natal bone growth and adult bone remodeling.

Discussion

Altogether, this study revealed significant differences between the transcriptome of calvaria and cortical bones in juvenile female mice, highlighting the most important pathway mediators for the development and function of two different bone types that originate both through intramembranous ossification.
Synthesis and application of iron sulfide−based materials to activate persulfates for wastewater remediation: a review
Authors: Sun Yuqing , Liu Jiapeng , Fan Xiaobin , Li Yang , Peng Wenchao
Published: June 2023

Rapid industrial development has led to excessive levels of various contaminants in natural water, which poses a challenge to the innovation of environmental remediation technology. In recent years, iron sulfide and its modified materials have attracted extensive attention in environmental remediation due to their high activity in advanced oxidation processes and widespread existence in anoxic environment. This paper reviewed the latest advances of the synthesis methods for iron sulfide and modified FeS. In addition, the application of persulfate activation by iron sulfide materials (FeS, FeSx, S−ZVI, FeS@Carbon materials and MFexSy) for contaminants remediation is also reviewed, and the enhancement of this system by photo irradiation, ultrasound, and microwave have also been concluded. Additionally, the interaction mechanism of iron sulfide and persulfate with contaminants was reviewed. Based on the above contents, we concluded that the long−term stability of iron sulfide, the toxicity to organisms of iron sulfide materials in the treated water, and the combination of FeS/PS with other assisted technologies should be focused in future.
The riparian reactive interface: a climate-sensitive gatekeeper of global nutrient cycles
Authors: Stutter Marc , Baggaley Nikki J. , Davies Jess , Gagkas Zisis , Janes-Bassett Victoria , Laudon Hjalmar , Lilly Allan , Lupon Anna , Musolff Andreas , Trojahn Sara , Haygarth Philip M.
Published: June 2023

Riparian zones are critical interfaces to freshwater systems, acting as gateways for the conveyance and modification of macronutrient fluxes from land to rivers and oceans. In this paper, we propose that certain riparian conditions and processes (conceptually ‘Riparian Reactive Interfaces’) may be susceptible to environmental change with consequences of accelerating local nutrient cycling cascading to global impacts on the cycles of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P). However, we argue that this concept is insufficiently understood and that research has not yet established robust baseline data to predict and measure change at the key riparian ecosystem interface. We suggest one contributing factor as lack of interdisciplinary study of abiotic and biotic processes linking C, N, and P dynamics and another being emphasis on riparian ecology and restoration that limits frameworks for handling and scaling topography–soil–water–climate physical and biogeochemical observations from plot to large catchment scales. Scientific effort is required now to evaluate riparian current and future controls on global nutrient cycles through multi-nutrient (and controlling element) studies, grounded in landscape frameworks for dynamic riparian behaviour variation, facilitating scaling to catchment predictions.
Combined effects of toxic Karenia mikimotoi and hypoxia on the juvenile abalone Haliotis discus hannai
Authors: Zhang Yue , Song Xiuxian , Zhang Peipei
Published: June 2023

Eutrophication in aquaculture areas concurrently leads to a high incidence of dissolved oxygen deficiency and toxic algal blooms. The combined effects of hypoxia and typical toxic algae on cultured organisms should be given sufficient consideration. Abalone breeding in China has greatly suffered from hypoxia and toxic Karenia mikimotoi blooms for many years. In this study, the individual and combined effects of the toxic dinoflagellate, K. mikimotoi, and hypoxia on juvenile abalone were determined based on abalone survival and oxidative stress indicators in their gills, hepatopancreas and hemolymph. The results showed that at a density of 106 to 3×107 cells/L, K. mikimotoi alone had a negligible influence on the survival of juvenile abalone under sufficient dissolved oxygen (DO) conditions. The 24 h-half lethal concentration (LC50) of DO alone for juvenile abalone was 0.75 mg/L in seawater. When K. mikimotoi was added at a density of 3×106 cells/L, the 24 h-LC50 of DO for juvenile abalone significantly increased to 2.59 mg/L, indicating obvious synergistic effects. The individual effects of hypoxia or K. mikimotoi on the oxidative stress indicators were limited, and only the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the abalone gills significantly decreased under K. mikimotoi stress. However, the combined stress of hypoxia and K. mikimotoi led to significant changes in the antioxidant indicators in all tested tissues. The SOD activity in gills and hepatopancreas decreased, while the SOD and catalase (CAT) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the hemolymph increased due to the combined stress of hypoxia and K. mikimotoi. These results illustrated that the synergistic effects of hypoxia and K. mikimotoi caused serious oxidative damage in abalone and that the hemolymph exhibited greater sensitivity than did the gills and hepatopancreas. Further investigation found that K. mikimotoi increased the oxygen consumption rate in abalone and that hypoxia enhanced the hemolytic toxicity of K. mikimotoi. These results revealed that hypoxia and typical toxic algae cause synergistic harm to cultured organisms, which is expected to provide a new understanding of the destructive mechanisms of typical toxic algal blooms in aquacultural areas.
Local ecological knowledge provides important conservation guidelines for a threatened seahorse species in mangrove ecosystems
Authors: Ternes Maria Laura Fontelles , Freret-Meurer Natalie V. , Nascimento Rodolfo Leandro , Vidal Marcelo Derzi , Giarrizzo Tommaso
Published: June 2023

Local Ecological Knowledge and social perceptions of human communities that depend on natural resources can provide important baseline information on local threats and impacts at a fine scale for conservation management. Seahorses play important economic role in Brazilian mangroves, being sought-after for seahorse-watching tours. This touristic activity is not yet formally regulated and our work is a contribution to seahorse-watching management at three study sites located in two Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) – Jericoacoara National Park, and Delta do Parnaíba Environmental Protection Area – in the Brazilian northeast states of Ceará, Piauí, and Maranhão. Through semi-structured interviews, we investigated the perception of seahorse-watching operators regarding seahorse abundance, local threats, and conservation insights in mangrove ecosystems. We interviewed all 38 existing informants at the study sites. Approximately half of the informants rely exclusively on seahorse-watching as an income source. Overall, 55.3% highlighted declines in seahorse abundance, 100% believed that seahorses are threatened with extinction. Silting (57.9%), fishing (55.3%), and pollution (37%) were cited as main threats to seahorses and mangroves. Among the proposed conservation actions, environmental surveillance (57.9%), zoning (26.3%), education (26.3%) were the most cited. Respondents support the MPAs but would like to see greater engagement of management institutions towards the communities, considering their local needs. Some differences in perception between communities reflect local realities and social contexts, which should be considered for conservation and management effectiveness. Our study contributes supporting this approach, as local scale studies on social perceptions can improve conservation and local management, especially for data-poor species.
Lactobacillus gasseri LG08 and Leuconostoc mesenteroides LM58 exert preventive effect on the development of hyperuricemia by repairing antioxidant system and intestinal flora balance
Authors: Liang Lizhen , Meng Zihui , Zhang Fei , Jianguo Zhu , Fang Shuguang , Hu Qingang , Tang Xuna , Li Yanan
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Currently, hyperuricemia has shown a surprisingly rising trend, which attracts widespread attention due to potentially major health risks. Considering the inevitable side effects of long-term medicine, probiotics are emerging as potential therapeutics due to their ability to improve uric acid metabolism and superior safety.

Methods

In our study, two strains of probiotics, Lactobacillus gasseri LG08 (LG08) and Leuconostoc mesenteroides LM58 (LM58) isolated from kimchi were evaluated for the prebiotic properties in vitro and uric-lowering effects in vivo. Here, hyperuricemia animal model and 16S rRNA gene amplicons analysis were further studied to investigate whether these probiotics exert different effects in prevention and treatment.

Results

In vivo indicators and intestinal flora immunity revealed that both LG08 and LM58 significantly prevent the development and progression of hyperuricemia, repair the antioxidant system and maintain intestinal flora balance in healthy rats, especially LM58. After hyperuricemia was formed, although the effect of LG08 and LM58 could decrease the level of uric acid, the effect to reverse and repair antioxidant levels in the body was limited.

Discussion

In our study, these findings have important implications for hyperuricemia prevention and therapy, and provided more mechanistic insights into the effect of probiotics in hyperuricemia.
Effects of urbanization and lifestyle habits on the intestinal microbiota of adolescents in eastern China
Authors: Zhao Gang , Xie Lu , Wu Yan , Wang Bing , Teng Weilin , Sun Zhou , Kao Qingjun , Liu Wei , Pi Xionge , Ma Haiyan
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Owing to urbanization, living habits have changed widely, leading to alterations in the intestinal microbiota of urban residents. However, there are few studies on the characteristics of intestinal microbiota of adolescents living in different urbanized areas in China.

Methods

A total of 302 fecal samples collected from adolescent students in eastern China were examined. 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing was used to identify the fecal microbiota. These data were combined with questionnaire survey results to investigate the effect of urbanization on the intestinal microbiota of adolescents in eastern China. Moreover, the role of lifestyle habits in this relationship was also evaluated.

Results

The results revealed significant differences in the structure of the intestinal microbiota among adolescents living in regions with different levels of urbanization. Adolescents living in urban regions had a significantly higher proportion of Bacteroides (p <  0.001, FDR = 0.004), whereas those living in towns and rural regions had higher proportions of Bifidobacterium (p < 0.001, FDR < 0.001) and Prevotella (p  < 0.05, FDR = 0.019). The diversity of the intestinal microbiota was higher in urban residents than in adolescents living in towns and rural regions (p  <  0.05). In addition, the differences in intestinal microbiota across individuals living in cities, towns, and rural regions were related to dietary preferences, flavor preferences, and sleep and exercise durations. Adolescents who ate more meat had more Dorea (LDA = 3.622, p = 0.04), while the abundance of Escherichia–Shigella is higher among adolescents who ate more condiments (LDA = 4.285, p = 0.02). The abundance of Dialister was significantly increased in adolescents with longer sleep durations (LDA = 4.066, p = 0.03). Adolescents who exercised for a long duration had more Faecalibacterium than those who exercised for a shorter duration (LDA = 4.303, p = 0.04).

Discussion

Our research has preliminarily demonstrated that there were differences in the composition of Gut microbiome in stool samples of adolescents living in different urbanized areas, and provide a scientific basis for the maintenance of a healthy intentional microbota in adolescences.
Meta-analysis of serological biomarkers at hospital admission for the likelihood of developing delirium during hospitalization
Authors: Bassi Thiago , Rohrs Elizabeth , Nicholas Michelle , Reynolds Steven
Published: June 2023

Importance

Identifying biomarkers that, at hospital admission, predict subsequent delirium will help to focus our clinical efforts on prevention and management.

Objective

The study aimed to investigate biomarkers at hospital admission that may be associated with delirium during hospitalization.

Data sources

A librarian at the Fraser Health Authority Health Sciences Library performed searches from 28 June 2021 to 9 July 2021, using the following sources: Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Methodology Register, and the Database of Abstracts of Reviews and Effects.

Study selection

The inclusion criteria were articles in English that investigated the link between serum concentration of biomarkers at hospital admission and delirium during hospitalization. Exclusion criteria were single case reports, case series, comments, editorials, letters to the editor, articles that were not relevant to the review objective, and articles concerning pediatrics. After excluding duplicates, 55 studies were included.

Data extraction and synthesis

This meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol. Independent extraction, with the consensus of multiple reviewers, was used to determine the final studies included. The weight and heterogeneity of the manuscripts were calculated using inverse covariance with a random-effects model.

Main outcome(s) and measure(s)

Differences in mean serum concentration of biomarkers at hospital admission between patients who did and did not develop delirium during hospitalization.

Results

Our search found evidence that patients who developed delirium during hospitalization had, at hospital admission, significantly greater concentrations of certain inflammatory biomarkers and one blood–brain barrier leakage marker than patients who did not develop delirium during hospitalization (differences in the mean: cortisol: 3.36 ng/ml,p< 0.0001; CRP: 41.39 mg/L,p< 0.00001; IL-6: 24.05 pg/ml,p< 0.00001; S100β 0.07 ng/ml,p< 0.00001). These differences were independent of other confounding variables such as the patient's severity of illness. A significantly lower serum concentration, at hospital admission, of acetylcholinesterase (difference in the means −0.86 U/ml,p= 0.004) was also associated with an increased vulnerability to developing delirium during hospitalization.

Conclusion and relevance

Our meta-analysis supports the hypothesis that patients with hypothalamic-pituitary axis dysfunction, increased blood–brain barrier permeability, and chronic overload of the cholinergic system, at hospital admission, are more vulnerable to developing delirium during hospitalization.
Assessment of Auricularia cornea var. Li. polysaccharides potential to improve hepatic, antioxidation and intestinal microecology in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Zhou Tiantian , Mao Xue , Jiang Wei , Pan Yu , Chen Xijun , Hu Jihua , Kong Xianghui , Xia Haihua
Published: June 2023

Non-alcoholic fatty acid liver disease (NAFLD) is a reputed global health concern, affecting children and young adults. Accumulating evidence suggests that edible fungi polysaccharides have the potential to relieve NAFLD. Our previous study found that Auricularia cornea var. Li. polysaccharides (ACP) could improve immune by regulating gut microbiota. However, its NAFLD-alleviating potentials have been scarcely reported. This study analyzed the protective effects of Auricularia cornea var. Li. polysaccharides on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD and mechanistic actions. We first analyzed the histology and hepatic lipid profile of animals to evaluate this variant’s ameliorating effects on NAFLD. Then, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials of ACP were studied. Finally, we explored changes in the gut microbiome diversity for mechanistic insights from the gut-liver region. Results showed that supplementation with ACP substantially reduced homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), body fat, liver index rates and weight gain (p < 0.05). This variant also improved HDL-C levels while decreasing triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels which were initially triggered by HFD. ACP mediation also decreased the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels considerably with H&E technique indicating that it can reduce liver lipid accumulation, thus lowering liver damages risks (p < 0.05). The antioxidant potentials of ACP were also demonstrated as it decreased the hepatic levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX). Proinflammatory markers like IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α concentrations were decreased by ACP supplementation, accompanied with increased IL-4 levels. Finally, ACP supplementation regulated the intestinal microbiota to near normal patterns. In all, ACP protects HFD-induced NAFLD by improving liver characteristics and regulating colonic flora composition, our findings assert that ACP can be a promising strategy in NAFLD therapy.
Research progress on the prevention and treatment of hyperuricemia by medicinal and edible plants and its bioactive components
Authors: Cheng-yuan Wang , Jian-gang Dai
Published: June 2023

Hyperuricemia is another common metabolic disease, which is considered to be closely related to the development of many chronic diseases, in addition to the “three highs.” Currently, although drugs show positive therapeutic effects, they have been shown to produce side effects that can damage the body. There is growing evidence that medicinal and edible plants and their bioactive components have a significant effect on hyperuricemia. In this paper, we review common medicinal and edible plants with uric acid-lowering effects and summarize the uric acid-lowering mechanisms of different bioactive components. Specifically, the bioactive components are divided into five categories: flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, polysaccharides, and saponins. These active substances exhibit positive uric acid-lowering effects by inhibiting uric acid production, promoting uric acid excretion, and improving inflammation. Overall, this review examines the potential role of medicinal and edible plants and their bioactive components as a means of combating hyperuricemia, with the hope of providing some reference value for the treatment of hyperuricemia.
Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor monotherapy or combined with verteporfin photodynamic therapy for retinal angiomatous proliferation: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Fallico Matteo , Macchi Iacopo , Maugeri Andrea , Favara Giuliana , Barchitta Martina , Magnano San Lio Roberta , Agodi Antonella , Russo Andrea , Longo Antonio , Avitabile Teresio , Castellino Niccolò , Reibaldi Michele , Pignatelli Francesco , Vadalà Maria , Patanè Clara , Nebbioso Marcella , Bonfiglio Vincenza
Published: June 2023

Purpose: To assess functional and anatomical outcomes of intravitreal anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (anti-VEGF) monotherapy versus combined with verteporfin Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) for Retinal Angiomatous Proliferation (RAP).

Methods: Studies reporting outcomes of intravitreal anti-VEGF monotherapy and/or in combination with verteporfin PDT in RAP eyes with a follow-up ≥ 12 months were searched. The primary outcome was the mean change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 12 months. Mean change in central macular thickness (CMT) and mean number of injections were considered as secondary outcomes. The mean difference (MD) between pre- and post-treatment values was calculated along with 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI). Meta-regressions were performed to assess the influence of anti-VEGF number of injections on BCVA and CMT outcomes.

Results: Thirty-four studies were included. A mean gain of 5.16 letters (95% CI = 3.30–7.01) and 10.38 letters (95% CI = 8.02–12.75) was shown in the anti-VEGF group and combined group, respectively (anti-VEGF group vs. combined group, p < 0.01). A mean CMT reduction of 132.45 µm (95% CI = from −154.99 to −109.90) and 213.93 µm (95% CI = from −280.04 to −147.83) was shown in the anti-VEGF group and combined group, respectively (anti-VEGF group vs. combined group, p < 0.02). A mean of 4.9 injections (95% CI = 4.2–5.6) and 2.8 injections (95% CI = 1.3–4.4) were administered over a 12-month period in the anti-VEGF group and combined group, respectively. Meta-regression analyses showed no influence of injection number on visual and CMT outcomes. High heterogeneity was found across studies for both functional and anatomical outcomes.

Conclusion: A combined approach with anti-VEGF and PDT could provide better functional and anatomical outcomes in RAP eyes compared with anti-VEGF monotherapy.
Rapid defense mechanism suppression during viral- oomycete disease complex formation
Authors: Philosoph Amit M. , Dombrovsky Aviv , Luria Neta , Sela Noa , Elad Yigal , Frenkel Omer
Published: June 2023

Combined infection of the host plant with pathogens involving different parasitic lifestyles may result in synergistic effects that intensify disease symptoms. Understanding the molecular dynamics during concurrent infection provides essential insight into the host response. The transcriptomic pattern of cucumber plants infected with a necrotrophic pathogen, Pythium spinosum, and a biotrophic pathogen, Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) was studied at different time points, under regimes of single and co-infection. Analysis of CGMMV infection alone revealed a mild influence on host gene expression at the stem base, while the infection by P. spinosum is associated with drastic changes in gene expression. Comparing P. spinosum as a single infecting pathogen with a later co-infection by CGMMV revealed a rapid host response as early as 24 hours post-CGMMV inoculation with a sharp downregulation of genes related to the host defense mechanism against the necrotrophic pathogen. Suppression of the defense mechanism of co-infected plants was followed by severe stress, including 30% plants mortality and an increase of the P. spinosum hyphae. The first evidence of defense recovery against the necrotrophic pathogen only occurred 13 days post-viral infection. These results support the hypothesis that the viral infection of the Pythium pre-infected plants subverted the host defense system and changed the equilibrium obtained with P. spinosum. It also implies a time window in which the plants are most susceptible to P. spinosum after CGMMV infection.
Integrated omic analysis provides insights into the molecular regulation of stress tolerance by partial root-zone drying in rice
Authors: Zhao Minhua , Du Canghao , Zeng Jian , Gao Zhihong , Zhu Yongyong , Wang Jinfei , Zhang Yupeng , Zhu Zetao , Wang Yaqiong , Chen Mingjie , Wang Yuesheng , Chang Junli , Yang Guangxiao , He Guangyuan , Li Yin , Chen Xiaoyuan
Published: June 2023

Partial root-zone drying (PRD) is an effective water-saving irrigation strategy that improves stress tolerance and facilitates efficient water use in several crops. It has long been considered that abscisic acid (ABA)-dependent drought resistance may be involved during partial root-zone drying. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying PRD-mediated stress tolerance remain unclear. It’s hypothesized that other mechanisms might contribute to PRD-mediated drought tolerance. Here, rice seedlings were used as a research model and the complex transcriptomic and metabolic reprogramming processes were revealed during PRD, with several key genes involved in osmotic stress tolerance identified by using a combination of physiological, transcriptome, and metabolome analyses. Our results demonstrated that PRD induces transcriptomic alteration mainly in the roots but not in the leaves and adjusts several amino-acid and phytohormone metabolic pathways to maintain the balance between growth and stress response compared to the polyethylene glycol (PEG)-treated roots. Integrated analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome associated the co-expression modules with PRD-induced metabolic reprogramming. Several genes encoding the key transcription factors (TFs) were identified in these co-expression modules, highlighting several key TFs, including TCP19, WRI1a, ABF1, ABF2, DERF1, and TZF7, involved in nitrogen metabolism, lipid metabolism, ABA signaling, ethylene signaling, and stress regulation. Thus, our work presents the first evidence that molecular mechanisms other than ABA-mediated drought resistance are involved in PRD-mediated stress tolerance. Overall, our results provide new insights into PRD-mediated osmotic stress tolerance, clarify the molecular regulation induced by PRD, and identify genes useful for further improving water-use efficiency and/or stress tolerance in rice.
The mediating role of emotions in offline and online political participation: A post-social outbreak study in Ecuador and Chile
Authors: Villagrán Loreto , Reyes-Valenzuela Carlos , Alzugaray Carolina , Zumárraga-Espinosa Marcos , Méndez Jaime
Published: June 2023

Introduction

In 2019, there was a period of social outbreaks in several Latin American countries, which share a background of social inequality, distrust in authorities, a crisis of representativeness, and discontent towards social and economic policies. In October 2019, in Ecuador and Chile, participation in these protests was characterized by street protests and broad political participation in social networks and alternative media, which were followed or interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These facts have been deeply researched, addressing causal and structural factors of the phenomenon, the alternatives of political participation, and the role of emotions as determinants of action in these contexts. The objective of this study is to explore offline and online political participation (Facebook) after the social outbreak of 2019 in both countries, based on political interest, and how emotions intervene, especially negative ones, in a context of high demobilization.

Methods

A descriptive, correlational ex post facto and cross-sectional methodology was used, with the participation of 367 people, 210 from Ecuador (57.2%) and 157 from Chile (42.8%), aged between 17 and 48 years (M = 22.13, SD = 3.73). The measurement was carried out from 2020 to 2021.

Results

A mediation analysis showed that people who are more interested in politics are more likely to experience anger and anxiety with the political and economic situation, which motivates conventional political participation (Model 1). In Model 2 people who showed greater concern about the political and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and together with anger, favor online political participation, especially local support.

Discussion

These results suggest the influence of emotions on political participation, which occurs when there is an increase in social discontent due to government policies adopted during the pandemic and which represents a continuity of the discontent that was expressed in the October 2019 social outbreak.
Effects of teacher explicit instruction in stance-taking on students’ perceptions of stance and on their academic writing beliefs
Authors: Zhang Lu , Zhang Lawrence Jun , Xu Ting Sophia
Published: June 2023

Scholars have underscored the importance of raising students’ awareness and understanding of stance-taking in academic writing. However, studies on the effects of the pedagogical intervention are just a few. To strengthen this line of inquiry, this paper reports on an intervention study with explicit instruction of stance metalanguage based on the Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) Engagement framework and its effects on EFL students’ perceptions of stance as well as on their beliefs about academic writing. A treatment group (n = 26) and a comparison group (n = 24) were involved. An eight-week writing intervention was provided in the treatment group, while the comparison group received regular curriculum-based instruction. Data from multiple sources were collected prior to and after the writing intervention, including two five-point Likert-scale questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and reflective journals, to examine possible changes in students’ self-reported perceptions of stance and writing beliefs. Results showed that the intervention was effective in enhancing students’ stance awareness and transactional writing beliefs. Qualitative results further revealed that while the comparison group retained a preference for tentative stance after the writing instruction, intending to avoid potential challenges from readers, the treatment group exhibited a shift in preference for assertive stance valuing the strengths of claims. The treatment group further exhibited an inclination to adopt a wider range of stance options for various rhetorical purposes. Pedagogical suggestions are discussed.
Are neuroaesthetic principles applied in art therapy protocols for neurorehabilitation? A systematic mini-review
Authors: Oliva Amelia , Iosa Marco , Antonucci Gabriella , De Bartolo Daniela
Published: June 2023

Art is an instrument created by humans as an alternative way of expression. For this reason, it has found its use in clinical contexts to improve mood, increase participation in therapy, or improve communication for patients with different pathologies. In this systematic mini-review, the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were adopted. Internet-based bibliographic searches were conducted via major electronic databases (Web of Science and PubMed). We analyzed the quantitative studies in which art figures as a neurorehabilitation treatment to identify whether standard art therapy protocols exist and whether these are based on the principles of neuroaesthetics. Our review identified 8 quantitative and 18 qualitative studies. Although art therapy has been used for more than 20 years as a clinical tool, there are no standard protocols to refer to when planning interventions. Although the effectiveness of using arts as therapy has been reported in many qualitative or feasibility studies, there is still a lack of quantitative studies in which the outcomes of art therapy are directly based on the principles of neuroaesthetics.