bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The analysis of X-linked Alport syndrome caused by a novel COL4A5 gene aberrant splicing
Authors: Siqi Xu , Chen Yiju , Li Hongsheng , Wu Xiaoyan , Mo Juanfen , Xie Aqing , Yu Junjie , Zhang Qi , Li Ranran
Published: November 2022

Objective To analyze a novel splicing mutation site in COL4A5 gene in a Chinese X-linked Alport syndrome family, and to show the clinical symptoms in proband and his family, in order to provide a basis for the diagnosis and genetic counseling of the disease. Methods Proband's clinical data were collected from electronic medical records. The underlying genetic causes of AS patients were identified by the whole-exome sequencing (WES). Results The proband had developed hematuria since the age of 3 years old, which was aggravated without obvious inducement on February 2022, accompanied by foamy urine. Renal biopsy revealed mesangial proliferative lesions with ischemic sclerosis. The WES showed a novel nucleotide alteration, NM_000495.5 c.609 + 2T༞G, in COL4A5 gene intron 10 in the proband. This alteration was verified in his mother by the WES. Conclusion A novel COL4A5 gene intron aberrant splicing mutation site was identified. That extended the spectrum of mutations in the COL4A5 gene, and it would be valuable to understand more about the genotype-phenotype correlations.
Fibroblast-specific PRMT5 deficiency suppresses pressure overload-induced cardiac fibrosis and left ventricular dysfunction
Authors: Katanasaka Yasufumi , Yabe Harumi , Murata Noriyuki , Sobukawa Minori , Sugiyama Yuga , Sato Hikaru , Honda Hiroki , Sunagawa Yoichi , Funamoto Masafumi , Shimizu Satoshi , Shimizu Kana , Hamabe-Horiike Toshihide , Hawke Philip , Komiyama Maki , Mori Kiyoshi , Hasegawa Koji , morimoto Tatsuya
Published: November 2022

Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is a well-known epigenetic regulatory enzyme. However, the role of PRMT5-mediated arginine methylation in gene transcription related to cardiac fibrosis is unknown. Here we show that fibroblast-specific deletion of PRMT5 significantly reduced pressure overload-induced cardiac fibrosis and improved cardiac dysfunction. Both the PRMT5-selective inhibitor EPZ015666 and knockdown of PRMT5 suppressed the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) induced by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in cultured cardiac fibroblasts. TGF-β stimulation promoted the recruitment of the PRMT5/Smad3 complex to the promoter site of α-SMA. It also increased PRMT5-mediated H3R2 symmetric dimethylation, and this increase was inhibited by knockdown of Smad3. TGF-β stimulation also increased H3K4 tri-methylation mediated by the WDR5/MLL1 lysine methylase complex, which recognizes H3R2 symmetric dimethylation. Finally, treatment with EPZ015666 significantly improved pressure overload-induced cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction. These findings reveal that PRMT5 regulates TGF-β/Smad3-dependent fibrotic gene transcription through histone methylation crosstalk and plays a critical role in cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction.
Isolation, bioassay and 3D-QSAR analysis of 8-isopentenyl flavonoids from Epimedium sagittatum Maxim. as PDE5A inhibitors
Authors: Li Juntao , Wu Yue , Yu Xinxin , Zheng Xinyu , Xian Jiechen , Li Senjie , Shi Wanyin , Tang Yun , Chen Zhe-Sheng , Liu Guixia , Yao Shen , Xu Jian , Zheng Xiangwei
Published: November 2022

Background: As known, inhibition of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) has the therapeutic effect on male erectile dysfunction (ED), and the processed folium of Epimedium sagittatum Maxim. (PFES) characterized by 8-isopentenyl flavonoids is a famous herb for treating ED. However, the main flavonoids inhibitory activities, structure-activity relationship (SAR) and signaling pathway have been not systematically studied so that its pharmacodynamic mechanism is unclear.
Methods: We aimed to initially reveal the PFES efficacy mechanism for treating ED. For the first time, 6 main 8-isopentenyl flavonoids (1-6) from PFES were isolated and identified. Then based on HPLC detection, we proposed a novel method with superior applicability compared to traditional radioisotope assay to screen inhibitors among them. We further established three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) models through CoMFA and CoMSIA to analyze the SAR for those inhibitors.
Results: The results were verified by cellular effects of the screened flavonoids. Among 6 compounds, Icariin (1), 2-O"-rhamnosylicaridide II (2) and Baohuoside I (3) were identified with significant activities (IC50 = 8.275, 3.233, 5.473 mM). Then 3D-QSAR studies showed that the replacement of C8 with bulky steric groups as isopentenyl, C3 with positive charge groups and C4' with a hydrogen bond acceptor substituent could increase inhibitory effects. In contrast, the substitution of C7 with bulky steric groups or hydrophilic groups tended to decrease the efficacies. And compounds1, 2, 3 could increase cGMP level and decrease cytoplasmic Ca2+ of rat corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs)by activating PKG.
Conclusion: 8-isopentenyl flavonoids could be the main pharmacodynamic substances of PFES in the treatment for ED, and some had significant PDE5A1 inhibitory activities so as to activate cGMP/PKG/Ca2+ signaling pathway in CCSMCs, that was related to the substituents at the key sites such as C8, C3, C4' and C7 in the characteristic compounds.
A combined model based on CT radiomics and clinical variables to predict uric acid calculi
Authors: Wang Zijie , Yang Guangjie , Cao Yuanchao , Wang Xinning , Zhang Xiaofei , Xie Fei , Zhang Yuhao , Jiao Wei , Niu Haitao
Published: November 2022

Introduction: The aim of this study is to develop and validate a CT-based radiomics and clinical variables diagnostic model for preoperative prediction of uric acid in urinary stones.
Methods: In this retrospective study, 370 patients with urolithiasis who underwent preoperative urinary CT scan were enrolled. The CT images of each patient were manually segmented and radiomics features were extracted. Sixteen radiomics features were selected. Logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF) and support vector machine (SVM) were used to model the selected features, and the model with the best performance was selected. Multivariate logistic regression was used to screen out significant clinical variables, the radiomics features and clinical variables were combined to construct a nomogram model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), etc. were used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the model.
Result: Among the three machine learning models, the LR model had the best result on the training set (AUC=0.855), and the performance in the training set and test set was similar (AUC=0.837). Therefore, the LR model was finally used to construct the nomogram. The AUC of the nomogram model in the training set and validation set were 0.870 and 0.837, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of the radiomics model and the clinical feature model.
Conclusion: The radiomics model based on CT has a good performance in distinguishing uric acid stones from non-uric acid stones, and the nomogram model has the best diagnostic performance among the three models, which can provide effective reference for clinical decision-making.
More than skin-deep: visceral fat is strongly associated with disease activity, function and metabolic indices in psoriatic disease
Authors: Blake Tim , Gullick Nicola , Hutchinson Charles E , Bhalerao Abhir , Wayte Sarah , Weedall Andrew , Barber Thomas M
Published: November 2022

Objective: To compare body composition between patients with psoriatic disease (PsD), including cutaneous psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and controls, and to explore associations between disease activity and measures of function and metabolic derangement.
Methods: Body composition was assessed by air displacement plethysmography (ADP) and MRI-derived fat segmentation using an automated pipeline (FatSegNet). Function was assessed by Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and metabolic status by fasting lipid profile, insulin and adiponectin. Active and inactive PsO and PsA was defined by body surface area (BSA) and Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) and minimal disease activity (MDA) respectively.
Results: 30 patients (median disease duration 15 y; median age 52 y) and 30 BMI-matched controls were enrolled. Compared with controls, all MRI-derived body composition parameters - whole-body volume, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), abdominal adipose tissue (AAT), VAT/AAT and VAT/SAT - were significantly higher in the PsD group, specifically, those with active disease. Body mass, body fat, whole-body volume and whole-body VAT were correlated with higher triglycerides, cholesterol:HDL (high-density lipoprotein), insulin resistance and lower adiponectin as well as higher HAQ and a lower MDA.
Conclusions: We provide the first evidence in patients with PsD for the clinical application of FatSegNet: a novel, automated and rapid deep learning pipeline for providing accurate MRI-based measures of fat segmentation. Patients with PsD revealed excessive total adipose tissue and a greater volume of metabolically unfavorable ectopic fat, including VAT, compared with BMI-matched controls, which correlated with HAQ, disease activity and overall metabolic dysfunction. Visceral fat is a surrogate marker of uncontrolled PsD and may be an important future therapeutic target. This study supports the need for more personalised strategies in PsD that consider the metabolic as well as inflammatory burden of disease.
Regulation of Proline Metabolism in Soybean Leaves Under Drought Stress at Seedling Phase
Authors: WU ZIHAO , Tian Yumei , Zhou Qi , SONG SHUANG , WANG XIN , Liu Jun , WANG XIYUE , Dong Shoukun
Published: November 2022

Soybean is the most important oil crop globally; however, droughts are expected to seriously affect the growth and development of soybean in the context of climate change. In this study, polyethylene glycol (PEG) was used to simulate drought to explore the regulation of proline metabolism in soybean leaves under different degrees of drought stress at the seedling stage. The results showed that the activities of ornithine aminotransferase and Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase increased while the activities of proline dehydrogenase decreased with an increase in drought stress. During the same number of treatment days, the higher the degree of drought stress, the greater the increase or decrease in enzyme activity. The content of leaf proline increased gradually with an extension in stress time at PEG concentrations of 5% and 10%, first increased and then decreased at PEG concentrations of 15% and 20%, and the peak value appeared on the 7th and 9th day, respectively.
Investigation of hydrodynamic parameters in two-pass seawater reverse osmosis systems using computer simulations
Authors: Ghourejili Shamsedin , Yaghoubi Sina , Harzand Farrokhfar Valizadeh , Babapoor Aziz
Published: November 2022

One common method of purifying water is using RO systems. In this article, the effects of using different designs of the two-pass SWRO system on the required feedwater pressure and the amount of NDP and TDS of the output product were investigated. The findings show that in two-pass SWRO systems which use a single-stage hybrid pass, the required feedwater pressure and the amount of NDP and TDS of the output product are lower than in the simple two-pass and hybrid two-pass designs. The findings also showed that designs with a hybrid system in both passes consume less energy than other designs. The presented designs and findings can be used to optimize two-pass RO systems.
Clinical characteristics and outcome of elderly onset adult-onset Still’s disease: A 10-year retrospective study
Authors: Li Sheng , Ying Shuni , Bai Juan , Wang Yuqian , Yang Changyi , Sun Qingmiao , Fang Hong , Qiao Jianjun
Published: November 2022

Objective: Our objective was to retrospectively analyze the clinical characteristics and outcome of adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) patients with elderly onset.
Methods: Retrospective data of patients diagnosed with AOSD in our institute during 2013-2021 were analyzed. The diagnoses were based on the Yamaguchi criteria for AOSD. All long-term follow-up data were collected from medical records and phone calls.
Results: In total, 281 AOSD patients were enrolled in this study, with the median follow-up interval of 47 months. Thirty-two (11.4%, ≥65 years) AOSD patients were classified into the elderly onset groups. Compared to the younger onset group, the percentage of patients with skin rash (p=0.047), sore throat (p=0.001), myalgia (p=0.001), splenomegaly (p=0.039), hepatosplenomegaly (p=0.002) and the Pouchot’s score (p=0.002) were significantly lower in the elderly onset group. The death rate (p=0.014) of elderly onset group is higher than younger onset group, and the independent risk factors of mortality in all AOSD patients were age at onset (HR: 1.115, p=0.044), disseminated intravascular coagulation (HR: 391.576, p=0.001) and pleuritis (HR: 23.162, p=0.033). The probability of relapse was significantly increased in the patients with macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) compared with the patients without MAS (p<0.001), though the different age groups of AOSD patients with MAS showed no difference in the probability of relapse (p=0.737).
Conclusion: Elderly onset AOSD patients were distinguished by several distinct clinical features compared to younger onset AOSD patients. The frequency of relapse and complications were similar to that of AOSD patients with elderly or younger onset. A higher mortality rate was observed in elderly onset AOSD patients, and the mortality of AOSD patients was related to age at onset, DIC and pleuritis. Furthermore, AOSD patients accompanied with MAS have a higher frequency of relapse, with no difference between age groups.
Construction and Validation of a novel signature for Immune response prediction in clear cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Wu Nan , Gui Ziwei , Du Juan , Shen Ningning , Yang Zhiqing , Yang Huijun , Zeng Zixin , Lu Wei , Leng Zijia , Wei Rong , Ma Wenxia , Wang Chen
Published: November 2022

Background
clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common renal malignancy, although newly developing targeted therapy and immunotherapy have been showing promising effects in clinical treatment, the effective biomarkers for immune response prediction are still lacking. The study is to construct a gene signature according to ccRCC immune cells infiltration landscape, thus aiding clinical prediction of patients response to immunotherapy.
Methods
Firstly, ccRCC transcriptome expression profiles from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database as well as immune related genes information from IMMPORT database were combine applied to identify the differently expressed meanwhile immune related candidate genes in ccRCC comparing to normal control samples. Then, based on protein-protein interaction network (PPI) and following module analysis of the candidate genes, a hub gene cluster was further identified for survival analysis. Further, LASSO analysis was applied to construct a signature which was in succession assessed with Kaplan-Meier survival, Cox regression and ROC curve analysis. Moreover, ccRCC patients were divided as high and low-risk groups based on the gene signature followed by the difference estimation of immune treatment response and exploration of related immune cells infiltration by TIDE and Cibersort analysis respectively among the two groups of patients.
Results
Based on GEO and IMMPORT databases, a total of 269 differently expressed meanwhile immune related genes in ccRCC were identified, further PPI network and module analysis of the 269 genes highlighted a 46 genes cluster. Next step, Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis of the 46 genes identified 4 genes that were supported to be independent prognosis indicators, and a gene signature was constructed based on the 4 genes. Furthermore, after assessing its prognosis indicating ability by both Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis, immune relation of the signature was evaluated including its association with environment immune score, Immune checkpoint inhibitors expression as well as immune cells infiltration. Together, immune predicting ability of the signature was preliminary explored.
Conclusions
Based on ccRCC genes expression profiles and multiple bioinformatic analysis, a 4 genes containing signature was constructed and the immune regulation of the signature was preliminary explored. Although more detailed experiments and clinical trials are needed before potential clinical use of the signature, the results shall provide meaningful insight into further ccRCC immune researches.
Relationships between fatigue differential experience and anxiety, depression, and serum hormones among Chinese cancer survivors: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Gu Shanshan , Xu Yun , Zhu Xiaoshu , Lam Anderson , Gong Lutian , Wang Jinghui , Guo Xinyu , Fu Li , Shi Jiyan , Liu Ketan
Published: November 2022

Purpose: Previous research has demonstrated that different cancer survivors with the same disease history or treatment may have different experiences of fatigue. This study aims to explore how demographic, oncological, sociological, psychological, and serum hormone levels interact to influence the distinct experiences of fatigue (CRF occurrence and fatigue degree).
Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out at the oncology outpatient and ward department of Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences recruited 306 cancer patients between January 2021 to December 2021. Differences between groups were examined using chi-square and nonparametric testing, and binary and ordered logistic regression were used to explore the factors related with the prevalence of CRF and the aggravation of fatigue, respectively.
Results: Among the 306 patients, 229 (74.8%) were diagnosed with CRF, including 94 (41.0%) with mild fatigue, 121 (52.8%) with moderate fatigue, and 14 (6.1%) with severe fatigue. Multivariate regression analysis showed that higher depression scores, aldosterone levels may increase the risk of CRF. Patients who are obese (BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2) may help to reduce the risk of CRF. Other contributing factors for increased levels of fatigue (p < 0.05) include being female, having anxiety, depression and high aldosterone levels.
Conclusion: CRF was a common symptom in cancer survivors. Gender, BMI, emotional state, aldosterone levels may be influential factors in the differential experience of fatigue.
Implications for Cancer Survivors: Pay attention to these influencing factors may help to better identify patients susceptible to fatigue and provide long-term, targeted interventions.
Target tumor therapy in human gastric cancer cell through the combination of docetaxel-loaded cationic lipid microbubbles and ultrasound-triggered microbubble destruction
Authors: Lai Bin , Ouyang Xi , Mao Shengxun , Cao Jiaqin , Li Honglang , Li Song , Wang Jiwei
Published: November 2022

It is well accepted that ultrasound-induced microbubble (USMB) cavitation is a promising method for drug delivery. Ultrasound-targeted destruction of cytotoxic drug-loaded lipid microbubbles (LMs) is used to promote the treatment of cancer. This study aimed to investigate the antitumor effects from combination of docetaxel-loaded cationic lipid microbubbles (DLLM+) and ultrasound (US)-triggered microbubble destruction (UTMD) on gastric cancer (GC). Here, the functional dose of DOC was identified as 1×10− 9 mol/L. We found that DLLM combined with UTMD group showed greater growth inhibition of the cultured human gastric cancer cells (HGCCs) when compared with other five groups by arresting the G2 / M phase in cell cycle. However, DLLM+ combined with UTMD showed a higher inhibition rate of tumor growth than DLLM combined with UTMD and that of the RC / CMV-p16 combined with UTMD in vitro and in vivo experiments. DLLM+ combined with UTMD significantly suppressed proliferation and promoted the apoptosis of HGCCs with more cells arrested in the G2 / M phase. In addition, DLLM+ combined with UTMD suppressed the proliferation and induced the apoptosis by arresting cells in the G2 / M phase, which leading to a great inhibition of GC progression. Thus, our results indicated that the combination of DLLM+ and UTMD might represent a novel and promising approach to chemotherapy for GC.
Simulation of suitable growth areas for the endangered species of Ephedra sinica in China
Authors: Liu Minxia , Li Le , Wang Siyuan , Xiao Shirui , Mi Jiale
Published: November 2022

Ephedra sinicais a rare and endangered species in China, and the survival environment ofEphedra sinicawas seriously threatening. Predicting the suitable growth areas and constructing ecological corridors forEphedra sinicain China will help to protect it scientifically. Based on 306 valid distribution records and 13 selected environmental factors, the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model was used to simulate the current Habitat zones and potential future (2050 and 2070) Habitat zones ofEphedra sinicaunder four change scenarios. The minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model was applied to extract important ecological corridors ofEphedra sinica. The results indicate that: (1) Under the current environment, the total area of the suitable habitat forEphedra sinicain China is 42.24×105km2, mainly distributed in Northwest China and North China. (2) Future expansion of the suitable area as the RCP (representative concentration pathway) rises. The center of mass of the Habitat zone moved northward from Shaanxi Province to Ordos City in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (3) Of the 13 environmental factors selected, the primary factor was elevation (20.8%), followed by wettest month precipitation (18.2%) and temperature seasonality (15.2%). (4) Nineteen ecological corridors have been constructed, with a total corridor length of 430.2km, including seven long-distance passages and 12 short-distance corridors. All galleries are far from the artificial surface, mostly near high-altitude areas. In addition, the minimum cost distance has a good continuity within Ulanqab City, which can realize the connection between the Huitengxile grassland in the northwest of Ulanqab City and the Sumu Mountain Forest Park area in the southwest.
Estrogen regulates duodenal glucose absorption through the effect of estrogen receptor-α on glucose transporters
Authors: Shan Weixi , Ding Jianhong , Xie Rui , Du Qian , Chen Changmei , Liao Qiushi , Yang Xiaoxu , Lou Jun , Jin Zhe , Chen Mingkai , Xu Jingyu
Published: November 2022

Estrogen deficiency is an important reason for the obesity of menopause, but the specific mechanism is unclear. Here, we investigated the effect of estrogen on glucose absorption. The experiments were performed in human, mice and SCBN cells. We first observed the correlation between estrogen and blood glucose in women, which found that blood glucose was significantly higher in the premenstrual phase than in the preovulatory phase of young women. Similarly, with serum estradiol level decreased in ovariectomized (OVX) mice, ER-α and ER-β in the duodenum reduced, the weight, abdominal fat and blood glucose increased significantly. However, interestingly, the expression of SGLT1 and GLUT2 and the glucose absorption in duodenal decreased significantly. It was further confirmed that estrogen could significantly up-regulate the expression of SGLT1 and GLUT2 in SCBN cells, and this trend can be reversed after silencing ER-α, but it doesn’t work after silencing ER-β, suggesting ER-α may be the key receptor of estrogen regulating glucose transporter. Mechanism study found that estrogen downstream can activate PKC pathway. Overall, our findings indicate that estrogen promotes glucose absorption, estrogen and its receptor (ER-α) deficiency can inhibit the expression of SGLT1 and GLUT2 through PKC signaling pathway, thereby reducing the glucose absorption.
Wintering molecular changes in the brain of Calidris pusilla at lower latitude
Authors: Pereira Patrick Douglas Corrêa , Henrique Ediely Pereira , Costa Emanuel Ramos da , Silva Anderson de Jesus Falcão da , de Melo Mauro Andre Damasceno , Schneider Maria Paula Cruz , Burbano Rommel Mario Rodriguez , Diniz Daniel Guerreiro , Magalhães Nara Gyzely de Morais , Sherry David Francis , Diniz Cristovam Wanderley Picanço , Guerreiro-Diniz Cristovam
Published: November 2022

Background:
Migrant birds prepare differently to fly north for breeding in spring and for the flight to lower latitudes during autumn avoiding the cold and food shortages of the north hemisphere's harsh winter. The molecular events associated with these fundamental stages in the life history of migrants include the differential gene expression in different tissues. Semipalmated sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) are Artic breeding shorebirds that migrate to the coast of South America during non-breeding season. Thus, the adaptive molecular changes in the brain of these birds at lower latitudes have not yet been investigated in detail.
Results:
Here, we searched for differential gene expression in the brain of semipalmated sandpiper, of recent arrived birds (RA) from autumnal migration and that of individuals in the premigratory period (PM) in the spring. All individuals were collected in the tropical coastal of northern Brazil. We generated a De novo neurotranscriptome for C. pusilla individuals and compared gene expression across libraries for neurotranscriptome. To that end we mapped RNA-seq reads to the C. pusilla neurotranscriptome in a total of 4 brain samples each group. A total of 266,414 transcripts were reconstructed that yielded 615 differentially expressed genes in the brain of both groups.
Conclusions:
The present report revealed a remarkable differential gene expression in the brain of recently arrived and premigratory individuals. It also revealed molecular brain changes associated with the recovering of the 4 to 5 days long-distance uninterrupted flight across Atlantic Ocean and preparation for the long-distance multiple stopover spring migration.
Contemporary Management of Unexpected Arterial Thrombosis and Acute Limb Ischemia in a Young Male Patient with COVID-19: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Aljabri Badr , Aldossary Mohammed
Published: November 2022

Background
The spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has resulted in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, raising significant concerns. COVID-19 can lead to thrombotic complications such as acute limb ischemia (ALI). In patients with COVID-19, thrombotic complications may increase the risk of morbidity and mortality. The frequency of ALI has reduced worldwide, and the hypercoagulable condition remains an infrequent cause of limb ischemia. Patients with COVID-19 have a 35–45% thromboembolic complication rate. In many studies, the virus launches a second attack between 7 and 14 days after symptom onset, possibly causing hypercoagulability. If conservative treatment fails, various surgical methods, including thromboembolectomy, thrombolysis, and thrombosuction, can be performed to treat ALI.
Case Presentation:
We report the case of a 37-year-old man who presented with a 2 weeks history of right foot pain, toes blackish discoloration, and numbness. He tested positive for COVID-19 10 days prior to his presentation. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the lower limbs revealed near-complete occlusion of the right popliteal artery with single-vessel posterior tibial artery runoff. The patient was brought to a hybrid operating room, and diagnostic angiography confirmed the diagnosis. He underwent popliteal artery thromboembolectomy and intraoperative thrombolysis through a posterior approach. A completion angiography demonstrated a patent popliteal artery with a 2-vessels patency to the foot. His postoperative recovery was uneventful. After surgery, the popliteal, anterior tibial, and posterior tibial arteries were all palpable. The patient was discharged home on antiplatelet therapy with frequent postoperative follow-ups during the last 1 year in our outpatient clinic.
Conclusions
In mild ALI symptoms, unfractionated heparin can be used with vigilant follow-up. Open and endovascular procedures are currently used to treat patients with acute limb ischemia, and technological advancements continue to make interventions easier and safer.
The utility of SUV max as an adaptation criterion for limited resection in stage IA non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Motono Nozomu , Mizoguchi Takaki , Ishikawa Masahito , Iwai Shun , Iijima Yoshihito , Uramoto Hidetaka
Published: November 2022

Background
Although the consolidation diameter of a tumor on computed tomography (CT) is an adaptation criterion for limited resection in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), whether the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) is also an adaptation criterion for limited resection has not been evaluated.
Methods
In total, 478 NSCLC patients with clinical stage IA disease were analyzed, among whom 383 were used to perform a sub-analysis.
Results
Multivariate analysis showed that consolidation diameter (odds ratio [OR]: 3.05, p = 0.01), SUVmax (OR: 10.74, p = 0.02), and lymphatic invasion (OR: 10.34, p < 0.01) were risk factors for lymph node metastasis in clinical stage IA NSCLC patients. Furthermore, age (OR: 2.98, p = 0.03), SUVmax (OR: 13.07, p = 0.02), and lymphatic invasion (OR: 5.88, p = 0.02) were risk factors for lymph node metastasis in clinical stage IA lung adenocarcinoma patients according to multivariate analysis.
Conclusions
Consolidation diameter of a tumor on CT, SUVmax, and lymphatic invasion are risk factors for lymph node metastasis. These results suggest that for early-stage lung adenocarcinoma patients, SUVmax is more important for deciding the indication of limited resection.
Agroforestry species composition and growth of Black Cardamom in different habitats along altitudinal gradient, Bhutan
Authors: Koirala Bhakti Sharma , Suberi Bhagat , Sherub Karma , Chhetri Rekha , Gyeltshen Thubten
Published: November 2022

The composition and arrangement of agroforestry species at different altitudes play a vital environmental role in the growth of Black Cardamom crop. The present study assesses agroforestry tree species composition and the relationship between the growth of Black Cardamom and associated tree species. For this, the altitudes were sorted into three altitudinal ranges; low (850-1150 m), mid (1250-1550 m), and high (1650-1950 m) and in each altitudinal range three different habitats were assessed (Timber Tree (TT), Fodder tree (FT) and Mix tree (MT) habitats). In each altitudinal band, 16 plots were made for each habitat (TT, MT, FT) with a total of 144 plots sampled systematically with 20×20 m plot size within the selected altitudinal range (850 to 1950 m). The result of the study found 56 ecologically important agroforestry tree species under 32 families that are used as shade trees for Black Cardamom. The tree species preference of Black Cardamom changes based on the basal area of trees, altitudes, and habitat types (F(2, 33)=45.672, P=.000). The overall growth (R2=.95) was better in timber tree habitat at mid altitudes, where Alnus nepalensis was the dominating species having 41.40% canopy cover with low pest and disease-infested Black Cardamom stems, making it a suitable habitat for growth. The lower altitudinal band and all the mixed tree habitats were found to be unsuitable for Black Cardamom growth (p<0.05). Thus, while cultivating Black Cardamom it is important to select appropriate tree species, canopy cover, altitude, and habitat for optimum growth.
A coding variant in SULT1A2 gene: association with obesity and dyslipidemia in southern Chinese adults
Authors: Lv Hai-Yan , Shi Guifeng , Li Cai , Ye Ya-Fei , Chen Ya-Hong , Chen Li-Hua , Tung Tao-Hsin , Zhang Meixian
Published: November 2022

Background: A coding variant rs1059491 in the SULT1A2gene has been reported to be associated with childhood obesity. This study aimed to investigate the association of rs1059491 with risk of obesity and cardiometabolic abnormalities in adults.
Methods: This case-control study included 226 normal weight, 168 overweight and 72 obese adults who underwent a health examination in Taizhou, China. Genotyping of SULT1A2rs1059491 was performed by Sanger sequencing.
Results: The minor allele frequency of rs1059491 in the overweight combined obesity and control group was 0.0292 and 0.0686, respectively. No differences in weight and body mass index were detected between TT genotype and GT+GG genotype under the dominant model, but levels of serum triglyceride was significantly lower in G-allele carriers than non-G-allele carriers (1.02 (0.74–1.32) vs. 1.35 (0.83–2.13) mmol/L, P = 0.011). The GT+GG genotype of rs1059491 versus TT genotype reduced the risk of overweight and obesity by 54% (OR: 0.46, 95%CI: 0.22–0.96, P = 0.037) after adjusted for sex and age. Similar results were observed for hypertriglyceridemia (OR: 0.25, 95%CI: 0.08–0.74, P = 0.013) and dyslipidemia (OR: 0.37, 95%CI: 0.17–0.83, P = 0.015).
Conclusion: This study revealed that the coding variant rs1059491 is associated with decreased risk of obesity and dyslipidemia in southern Chinese adults. More studies are needed to validate the association in other populations and its underlying mechanisms.
Effect of agricultural management approaches on soil microbial diversity and crop production: A meta-analysis
Authors: Huang Jingyi , Zou Junliang , Xing Lei , Liu Yongjun , Liu Tianbo , Yin Huaqun , Liu Xueduan , Meng Delong
Published: November 2022

Background and Aims Microbial diversity is a critical topic that concerns sustainable agriculture and crop production. Anthropogenic activities have a nonnegligible influence on both soil microbial diversity and crop production. Little research has been conducted to quantify the beneficial relationships between microbial diversity and soil productivity.
Methods A meta-analysis based on 80 published papers was carried out to clarify the effects of anthropogenic activities including chemical fertilization (CF), organic fertilization (OF), intercropping or rotation (IC) and microbial treatment (MF), on soil microbial diversity and crop yield, and the relationship in between and summarized.
Results The results showed that CF had the greatest potential for improving crop yield, whereas it may cause reductions in soil microbial diversity. OF is a sustainable development strategy, which increases both soil microbial diversity and crop yield. Under IC treatment, soil bacterial community diversity was significantly positively correlated with crop productivity, and the average effects of the four management approaches on soil microbial diversity and crop productivity were significantly different under different conditions.
Conclusion Overall, our results have great guiding significance for ecological environment protection and crop economic benefits.
Comparative chloroplast genomes of Annonaceae species: Enlargement of plastomes in size, IR region, and gene content
Authors: Gan Yangying , Liu Xiaojing , Ping Jingyao , Peng Caixia
Published: November 2022

In recent years, the evolution and phylogeny of plastid genomes have attracted much attention from scholars all over the world. Annonaceae is the largest family in Magnoliales with the greatest diversity among and within genera. Thus comparative analyses of its plastomes will be informative. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome ofMiliusa glochidioideswas sequenced by next-generation sequencing technology. Using two Magnoliaceae species as out-group, a comparative analysis of the existing 13 Annonaceae plastomes was conducted, and a phylogenetic relationship was constructed based on four methods. Our results show that the Annonaceae plastomes have great variation in the evolution process. The genome size is between 159kb and 202kb while the gene content ranges from 127 to 165. The number of genes in the IR region is between 5 and 39. Plastomes underwent significant structural rearrangements, including one inversion and multiple large-scale expansion (6-20kb) in the lR region, and shrinkage and inversions in the SSC region. Compared with Magnoliaceae, two fragments (pafII-atpEand 5'-rps12-psbJ) were inversed in Annonaceae. The phylogenetic relationship based on 78 common protein genes showed thatCananga odoratawas located at the base of Annonaceae. Annonoideae was a monophyletic group, andChieniodendron hainanensewas located inside the Malmeoideae. A total of 737 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were detected in the study, and the distribution of SSRs varied from species. It is mainly dominated by A/T bases (mononucleotide) and is located in the intergenic region. In conclusion, the plastomes of Annonaceae have undergone great variation during evolution, especially the large-scale expansion of the IR region. Our study provides more information for studying the plastome evolution of Annonaceae.
Ultrasound-guided continuous iliofascial block with ropivacaine is superior to intravenous infusion of sufentanil for the treatment of delirium in elderly patients after hip arthroplasty: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zhang Yang , Wu Ruo-Jie , Zhou Min-Xin , Dai Wen-Tao , Zhuang Qin , Zhang Da-Qi , Sun Yong-Xing , Tao Jing , Xu Wei , Zhang Cong-Li , Xi Biao , Li Xiao-Hong
Published: November 2022

Background
Hip arthroplasty is often accompanied by severe postoperative pain in elderly patients and increases the incidence of delirium. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of sufentanil intravenously with iliofascial blocks using ropivacaine on postoperative analgesia and cognitive function.
Methods
Clinical data were retrospectively collected from 682 elderly patients who underwent hip arthroplasty and were divided between intravenous pumped sufentanil or continuous iliofascial block using ropivacaine. All patients were treated with general anesthesia, and the main indicators were the incidence of delirium, pain scores and postoperative complications within 5 days postoperatively.
Results
The incidence of postoperative delirium and the duration of delirium were lower in group B than in group A (P < 0.05). Comparison of the postoperative MMSE scores showed that the MMSE scores in group A were lower than those in group B (P < 0.05). In a comparison of the overall data of patients with and without postoperative delirium, the NRS scores of patients with postoperative delirium were higher than those without postoperative delirium on the first, third, and fifth postoperative days at rest (P < 0.05).
Conclusions
In elderly patients, after total hip arthroplasty, ultrasound-guided continuous iliofascial block was more effective than intravenous sufentanil in relieving postoperative pain and helped to reduce the incidence of postoperative delirium, as well as reducing some of the adverse prognoses.
Mental Illness Stigma and Microaggressions: An Experimental Study of Familiarity and Relationship Quality
Authors: Gibson Arianna Makenna , Lindsay Brittany Lee , Szeto Andrew
Published: November 2022

Purpose: Familiarity (i.e., relationship closeness) and relationship quality (i.e., the degree of negativity/positivity) have been suggested as critical components affecting stigmatizing attitudes towards those with mental illnesses. The current study experimentally tested components of, and expanded upon, a recent theoretical framework by Corrigan and Nieweglowski (2019), which proposes a convex (u-shaped) curvilinear relationship between familiarity and stigma (i.e., people hold the most stigma towards others at the lowest andhighest levels of familiarity) rather than a linear one (i.e., stigma simply decreases as familiarity increases). By examining how both familiarity and relationship quality affect public stigma broadly, as well as microaggressions specifically, this research adds to the growing body of literature on mental illness stigma.
Methods: Undergraduate students (N = 242) were randomly assigned to read one of six vignettes via a 2(quality: positive vs. negative) x 3(familiarity: co-worker, cousin, romantic partner) between-subjects factorial design. Following, participants completed measures assessing stigmatizing attitudes and microaggression endorsement towards the vignette character.
Results: There was a significant main effect of relationship quality on stigmatizing attitudes only; on average, those in the three negative conditions had significantly higher stigmatizing attitudes than those in the positive conditions. Conversely, familiarity only had a significant main effect on microaggressions, wherein higher familiarity groups demonstrated higher microaggression endorsement. No significant interactions were found for either variable.
Conclusion: These results suggest that stigmatizing attitudes and microaggressions may be functionally different, and further research is required to clarify current theoretical frameworks in understanding how relational contexts impact these negative attitudes.
A viral co-infection model with general infection rate in deterministic and stochastic environments
Authors: Shi Zhenfeng , Jiang Daqing
Published: November 2022

In this paper, we present a model of infection in which a virus can simultaneously infect two types of target cells. The model has a general form of infection rates in deterministic and stochastic settings, incorporating bilinear infection rates, saturated incidences and half-saturated incidences. In the deterministic case, we investigate the existence and local asymptotic stability of disease-free and positive equilibrium points, respectively. Considering that the infection rate coefficient is affected by random noise, we built the corresponding stochastic model using the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process. In the stochastic case, by constructing suitable Lyapunov functions, we established sufficient conditions for the ergodic stationary distribution and extinction of the model, respectively. In addition, the covariance matrix in the probability density function of the model near the positive equilibrium point is determined.
Significant association of candidate genes (AGTR1 and TGF-β1) polymorphism with diabetic nephropathy in diabetes mellitus type 2 patients
Authors: Ihsan Madeeha , Khan Najeeb Ullah , Ismail Muhammad , Hussain Mehfooz , Munir Iqbal
Published: November 2022

Background
Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) is one of the microvascular complications of Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Genome wide association studies have helped identify gene variants such as rs1800470 (TGF-β1) and rs5186 (AGTR1), which facilitate diabetic nephropathy. However, there is no such reports from Pakistan, particularly the Pashtun population.
Methods
A case-control study was conducted on 165 diabetic patients (59 with Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) and 54 without DN (DM)), and 52 healthy subjects (HC). The genotyping was done using amplification refractory mutation system method (ARMS-PCR).
Results
The results indicated that all the subjects have similar distribution of age, gender and duration of diabetes, while the FBS, RBS, HbA1C, creatinine, Urea, SBP, DBP, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and BMI were found higher in the diabetic patients with nephropathy as compared to those without nephropathy and healthy controls. The risk allele of AGTR1, C (p < 0.0001), and risk allele containing genotypes AC (p < 0.0001) and CC (p- 0.0010) were significantly higher in DN patients compared to DM and HC groups. Similarly, the TGF-β1 risk allele C (p- 0.0001), and corresponding genotypes TC (p- 0.0038) and CC (p- 0.0027) were significantly associated with increased risk of diabetic nephropathy compared to DM and HC groups.
Conclusion
The data showed significant association of AGTR1 (rs5186) and TGF-β1 (rs1800470) polymorphism with an increased risk of diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. More investigation will be required to disseminate the results, while increasing the samples size and using whole genome sequencing.
Study on Amino-functionalized Porous Carbon Materials for MB and Cr(VI) Adsorption 1
Authors: Song Jie , Chen Lijun , Niu Yuhua , Wei Zhiqiang , Sun Yonghui
Published: November 2022

In this study, amino-functionalized porous hydrogel material P-(EA-β-CD/KHA/AC) was synthesized by introducing ethylamino cyclodextrin, humic acid, and activated carbon, using polyacrylic acid as the carrier. The gel materials before and after adsorption were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The removal of organic matter (methylene blue) and heavy metal ions (hexavalent chromium) showed high adsorption capacity. At 298 K and pH 8, the adsorption capacities of P-(EA-β-CD/KHA/AC) hydrogel for MB and Cr(VI) were as high as 262.31 and 170.12 mg/g, respectively, and the removal rates were 98.96% and 70.27%, respectively. The adsorption behavior follows the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation, conforming to the Langmuir model; and through intermolecular forces, π–π conjugation, chelation, and other interactions, entropy-increasing, endothermic, and spontaneous process is formed. The regeneration and degradability experiments of P-(EA-β-CD/KHA/AC) hydrogel were conducted and its recycling performance was verified.
Effects of treatment with corticosteroids on human rhinovirus-induced asthma exacerbations in pediatric inpatients: a prospective observational study
Authors: Kan-o Keiko , Washio Yasuyoshi , Oki Takeshi , Fujimoto Tsuguto , Ninomiya Takahito , Yoshida Makoto , Fujita Masaki , Nakanishi Yoichi , Matsumoto Koichiro
Published: November 2022

Background
Viral infection of the respiratory tract, predominantly by human rhinoviruses (HRVs), is a common cause of exacerbations in pediatric patients with asthma. However, the effects of corticosteroids on HRV-induced exacerbations in pediatric asthma are unknown. We conducted a prospective observational study to determine the viral pathogens in school-age pediatric inpatients with asthma exacerbations. We assessed the effects of maintenance inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) on the detection rates of HRV species and treatment periods of systemic corticosteroids during exacerbations on pulmonary lung function 3 months after HRV-induced exacerbations.
Methods
Nasopharyngeal samples and clinical information were collected from 59 patients with asthma exacerbations between April 2018 and March 2020. Pulmonary function tests were carried out 3 months after exacerbations in 18 HRV-positive patients. Changes in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)% predicted from baseline in a stable state were compared according to the treatment periods of systemic corticosteroids.
Results
Fifty-four samples collected from hospitalised patients were analysed, and viral pathogens were identified in 45 patients (83.3%) using multiplex PCR assay. HRV-A, -B, and -C were detected in 16 (29.6%), one (1.9%), and 16 (29.6%) patients, respectively. There was no significant difference in the detection rates of viral pathogens in total between patients treated or not treated with maintenance ICS. The detection rates of HRV-C were lower in the ICS-treated group compared with those in the ICS-untreated group (p = 0.01), whereas ICS treatment did not affect the detection rate for HRV-A. Changes in FEV1% predicted in patients treated with systemic corticosteroids for 6–8 days (n = 10; median, 4.90%) were higher than those in patients treated within 5 days (n = 8; median, − 10.25%) (p = 0.0085).
Conclusions
Maintenance ICS reduced the detection rates of HRV (mainly HRV-C) in school-age inpatients with asthma exacerbations, and the treatment periods of systemic corticosteroids during exacerbations affected lung function after HRV-induced exacerbations. The protective effects of corticosteroids on virus-induced asthma exacerbations may be dependent upon the types of viral pathogen.