bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feeding ecology of coexisting Heermann’s gull (Larus heermanni) and elegant tern (Thalasseus elegans) chicks, based on stable isotope measurements
Authors: Elias-Valdez A , Velarde E , Medina-Quej A , Castro-Perez JM , Navarro J , Rosas-Luis R
Published: May 2023

The Heermann’s gull and the elegant tern are considered Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and under special protection under Mexican environmental law. Close to 95% of the world populations of both species breed on Isla Rasa (Gulf of California). As both species breed on the same island, competition for trophic resources can be expected to be high. Here, the feeding ecology of chicks of both species, as well as the contribution by prey species provided by adults, was studied using stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope analysis in 3 consecutive breeding seasons (2017, 2018, and 2019). Results of the stable isotope analysis revealed that although some segregation in the δ13C and δ15N values exists between both species, isotopic mixing model outputs indicated that fishes were the most important prey group for both. However, at the prey species level, the most important prey consumed by Heermann’s gulls were northern anchovy, Pacific sardine, and Pacific mackerel, followed by pelagic crab, whereas elegant terns consumed mainly northern anchovy. The trophic width estimated with the stable isotope values during 2017 and 2019 was higher for the Heermann’s gull than for the elegant tern. In contrast, for 2018, the trophic width of the elegant tern was higher than that of the Heermann’s gull. In addition, both species showed a high degree of trophic width overlap during 2017 and 2019 (overlap probability 0.67 and 0.79, respectively). These results highlight the ability of the Heermann’s gull to redirect its food intake to what might be the most accessible prey groups, a feeding strategy that allows the coexistence.
A survey of the genus Lasianthus in Mount Burangrang, West Java
Authors: Cahyanto Tri , Efendi Muhammad , Khairun Nisa Nisrina , Nurhalim Hilmi , Rahman Wiguna , Fadillah Afriansyah
Published: May 2023

A survey of the genus Lasianthus and its morphological study based on living specimens was conducted at the Mt. Burangrang, West Java, in order to update the existing Lasianthus data. Sampling was carried out in three regencies around the Mt. Burangrang: West Bandung, Subang and Purwakarta. A total of 19 species were recorded from Mt. Burangrang. Those species covered three sections: sect. Nudiflorae (nine species), sect. Lasianthus (nine species) and sect. Stipulares (one species). Based on the collected specimens, the delimitation of the Asian Lasianthus as having 3-9 pyrenes is no longer applicable. The specimens of L. capitatus from the Mt. Burangrang contained 9-12 pyrenes. The existence of L. rufus (Korth.) Miq. is also discussed. The details of morphological description of the Mt. Burangrang Lasianthus are provided. URL: https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/botanicka-zahrada/odborne-aktivity/contents-abstracts/
Polygonum graminifolium Wierzb. in Slovakia and along the Hungarian-Slovak border on the Danube
Authors: Riezing Norbert
Published: May 2023

Polygonum graminifolium Wierzb. is a poorly known plant that has been overlooked by botanists for more than half a century and until recently had no current records in Hungary and Slovakia. The study examines the occurrence of the species along the Hungarian-Slovak border on the Danube. In addition to old literature and herbarium data, it presents the currently known occurrences. Some of these, including the Slovakian one, are new localities. It is a rare plant on the open gravel (or stony) surfaces of the riverbed, which have been dry for a long time. Other species are often absent in these habitats. Other species (in low numbers) are found mainly where some silt or sand has been deposited between the gravels or stones. Polygonum graminifolium may occur elsewhere along the Danube, but it is often difficult to find. URL: https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/botanicka-zahrada/odborne-aktivity/contents-abstracts/
Swear Words Types Utilization in Traumazine Album Song Lyrics by Megan Thee Stallion
Authors: Pandiangan Bobby Samuel , Daniela Lerissa
Published: May 2023

The study of word meaning is formulated in semantics. Language as a medium of communication constructs meaning and structure. Communication can be done through many mediums and one of them is song lyrics. Song has its own uniqueness in choosing words, suit to the genre. In the modern era, the young generation tempts to consume a lot more media and is impacted by them then utilize it as a normal in daily communication. Therefore, this research made to analyze the utilization of swear words in rap song lyrics by classifying the types using the theory of Chirico 2014. This research uses the qualitative descriptive method. The data is collected from the eighteen song lyrics in the Traumazine album by Megan Thee Stallion. Data is analyzed with the theory of swear words by Chirico 2014, furthermore defines the meaning using the Cambridge dictionary as a primary and the Urban dictionary as the secondary dictionary. As a result, all four types of swear words which are cursing, profanity, vulgarity, and obscenity exist in the album. There is a new phenomenon as well, where the researcher found that the repetition of swear words is commonly used in rap songs. Moreover, bitch used to represent a female and nigga to represent a male repeatedly found among the 18 songs.
A boka-kar index mint a cardiovascularis rizikó markere
Authors: Farkas Katalin , Kolossváry Endre , Járai Zoltán
Published: May 2023

A tünetmentes célszervkárosodás kimutatása fontos része a cardiovascularis rizikóbecslésnek. A perifériás verőérbetegség (PAD) korai, tünetmentes stádiumában is diagnosztizálható egy egyszerű, noninvazív vizsgálat, a boka-kar index (BKI) meghatározása révén. A csökkent, 0,9 vagy az alatti BKI tünetmentes egyénekben is a nagy cardiovascularis rizikó elfogadott markere. A Magyar Hypertonia Társaság 2007-ben országos szűrőprogramot indított 55 centrum részvételével, amelynek célja a tünetmentes érbetegség felismerése a boka-kar index mérésével. A vizsgálat első periódusában 21 892 hypertoniás beteg (9162 férfi; átlagéletkor: 61,45 év) került beválasztásra, a prospektív szakasz 2014-ben zárult le. Minden betegnél meghatározásra került a BKI, a mortalitási adatokat ötéves megfigyelést követően értékeltük. Az ÉRV Programban a csökkent BKI (≤0,9) előfordulása 14,4% volt a teljes vizsgált populációban, magas BKI (>1,3) 9,4%-ban volt kimutatható. A vizsgált hypertoniás populációban a SCORE-becslés alapján a betegek többségének (58%) alacsony vagy enyhén emelkedett cardiovascularis kockázata volt, míg a betegek mindössze 13%-ának volt 10%-nál nagyobb kockázata. A tényleges SCORE-kategóriától függetlenül a BKI ≤0,9 jelentősen növelte a mortalitás kockázatát minden betegcsoportban. Az ÉRV Program eredményei is alátámasztották, hogy a boka-kar index meghatározása egyszerű és olcsó módszer a tünetmentes alsó végtagi verőérbetegség kimutatására, és ezáltal hatékony eszköze a cardiovascularis prevenciónak.
Fizikai aktivitás és testmozgás krónikus vesebetegség esetén. Sétálj, fuss, táncolj, játssz! Mozogj, amit tudsz!
Authors: Fekete Alexandra , Huszár Liliána , Dolgos Szilveszter
Published: May 2023

A lakosság körében a rendszeres fizikai aktivitás és a cardiovascularis rizikó csökkenése közötti összefüggés egyértelmű és számos tanulmány által bizonyított. Azonban a vesebetegekkel kapcsolatban rendelkezésre álló eddigi vizsgálatok ellentmondásos eredményeket igazoltak, bár a testmozgás ebben a betegcsoportban is jótékony hatású a vérnyomáscsökkenésre, az életminőségre, az izomerőre, a fizikai erőnlétre és teljesítőképességre. Fontos hangsúlyozni, hogy a fizikai aktivitás minimális fokozása is pozitív hatással bír, azonban a nemzetközi ajánlások mind hemodializált, mind nem dializált vesebetegeknek legalább heti 150 perc, közepes intenzitású aerob testmozgás (például biciklizés vagy sétálás) elvégzését javasolják. A dializált betegek esetében a dialízismentes napokon történő testmozgás mellett az intradialitikus testmozgásnak is fontos szerepe lehet. A krónikus veseelégtelen betegek gondozásában részt vevő egészségügyi személyzetnek kiemelkedő jelentősége van abban, hogy a megfelelő betegedukáció révén a fizikai aktivitás növekedjen a vesebetegek körében.
Negative Feedback Expansion of Tregs Caused by Endogenous IL-2 Limits the Activity of IL-2-based Therapies
Authors: Amit Inbar , Levitin Natalie , Gadrich Meital , Ben-Mayor May , Wyant Timothy , Barak Reut , Danielpur Liron , Ifrach Morya , Meir Itzhak , Bluvshtein Olga , Sasson Yehezkel , Fischman Sharon , Nimrod Guy , Zhenin Michael , Fastman Yair , Vasselli James , Knickerbocker Aron , Herbst Ronald , Ofran Yanay
Published: May 2023

Stimulating effector T-cells (Teffs) without inducing regulatory T-cells (Tregs) has been the primary goal of IL-2-based therapies for cancer. Recently, modified IL-2 designed for differential T-cell expansion for the treatment of cancer has failed in the clinic. We propose that treatments based on exogenous administrations of modified IL-2 are inherently undermined by a negative feedback loop, caused by IL-2 secreted endogenously from activated effector T-cells. This endogenous IL-2 secretion subsequentially induces Treg expansion and inhibits the immune response that is essential for cancer clearance. Here, we demonstrate that treatments utilizing exogenous modified IL-2 indeed induce Treg expansion. To circumvent this negative feedback, we computationally designed a novel monoclonal humanized antibody (AU-007) that binds human IL-2 with pM affinity at a predefined epitope and completely blocks IL-2 binding to CD25 that is highly expressed on Tregs, without hindering IL-2 binding to CD122/CD132 dimer receptor expressed over effector cells. This epitope-specific, high-affinity antibody controls endogenous IL-2 and prevents it from expanding Tregs while allowing it to expand Teffs. We show that controlling endogenous IL-2 using AU-007 abrogates the negative feedback loop and replaces it with a positive feedback loop that enhances the expansion of NK cells and Teffs, an effect considered favorable for cancer immunotherapy.
Konsumsi Jamu dengan Kandungan Kortikosteroid terhadap Kejadian Hipertensi Sistolik
Authors: Trisnawan Roni , Hastono Sutanto Priyo
Published: May 2023

Salah satu faktor resiko hipertensi adalah konsumsi obat-obatan. Sementara itu, di populasi umum masih banyak masyarakat mengkonsumsi jamu yang ternyata banyak mengandung bahan kimia obat (prednisone, dexametason, fenilbutazon) yang diyakini berpengaruh terhadap tekanan darah. Tujuan Penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui hubungan konsumsi jamu dengan kandungan kortikosteroid terhadap kejadian hipertensi sistolik pada pengunjung Puskesmas yang berusia >18 tahun. Metode penelitian menggunakan desain observasional dan rancang studi cross-sectional. Penelitian ini menggunakan data primer yang didapatkan dengan teknik wawancara dan pengukuran serta data sekunder yang didapatkan dari rekam medis. Penelitian dilakukan pada Desember 2022 di Puskesmas Cigudeg, Kabupaten Bogor. Teknik pengambilan sampel adalah simple random sampling, mendapatkan 70 responden dengan kriteria data rekam medis lengkap dan berusia >18 tahun. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan sebanyak 58,6% responden mengalami hipertensi, 24,3% mengkonsumsi jamu dengan kandungan kortikosteroid, 82,4% dari kelompok yang mengkonsumsi jamu dengan kandungan kortikosteroid mengalami hipertensi, dan 17,6% diantaranya tidak mengalami hipertensi. Penggunaan jamu yang mengandung kortikosteroid berdampak terhadap peningkatan hipertensi pada responden.
El pensamiento crítico y los buenos resultados en la vida: estudio de una promoción de estudiantes del grado de educación social
Authors: García Moro Francisco José , Gomez Baya Diego , Augusto Nicoletti Javier
Published: May 2023

La competencia crítica es necesaria para todos en nuestras sociedades multicomplejas y cambiantes como las nuestras; sin embargo, en determinados perfiles profesionales no resultaría saludable desarrollar programas de aprendizaje de dicha competencia sin el desarrollo de programa complementarios que refuercen el bienestar de dicho profesional.  En el presente artículo se hace una reflexión e investigación acerca del importante papel que desempeña el pensamiento crítico en la profesión de educación social.  Para ello, se hace un estudio de las creencias que una promoción de 35 educadores sociales en formación de la Universidad de Huelva tiene acerca del pensamiento crítico, de sus características, componentes y consecuencias para el propio bienestar subjetivo.  Se utiliza un diseño de investigación mixto de carácter descriptivo-correlacional y cualitativo mediante análisis de contenidos de grupos focales. Ser competente críticamente para un educador social es sobrevivir a ese proceso de crítica que sin duda alguna es necesario para mejorar nuestras sociedades, sin conllevar un desgaste que termine por inhabilitar un recurso importante y fundamental para el cambio.
High-fat diet and palmitic acid amplify airway type 2 inflammation
Authors: Dimasuay Kris Genelyn , Berg Bruce , Schaunaman Niccolette , Holguin Fernando , Winnica Daniel , Chu Hong Wei
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Metabolic dysfunction such as elevated levels of saturated fatty acids (SFA) may play a role in obese asthma, but its contribution to airway inflammation remains unclear. We sought to determine the role of high-fat diet (HFD) and palmitic acid (PA), a major form of SFA, in regulating type 2 inflammation.

Methods

Airway samples from asthma patients with or without obesity, mouse models and human airway epithelial cell culture were utilized to test if SFA amplify type 2 inflammation.

Results

Asthma patients with obesity had higher levels of airway PA than asthma patients without obesity. HFD increased the levels of PA in mice, and subsequently enhanced IL-13-induced airway eosinophilic inflammation. PA treatment amplified airway eosinophilic inflammation in mice that were previously exposed to IL-13 or house dust mite. IL-13 alone or in combination with PA increased dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) release (soluble DPP4) and/or activity in mouse airways and human airway epithelial cells. Inhibition of DPP4 activity by linagliptin in mice pre-exposed to IL-13 or both IL-13 and PA increased airway eosinophilic and neutrophilic inflammation.

Discussion

Our results demonstrated the exaggerating effect of obesity or PA on airway type 2 inflammation. Up-regulation of soluble DPP4 by IL-13 and/or PA may serve as a mechanism to prevent excessive type 2 inflammation. Soluble DPP4 may have the therapeutic potential in asthma patients with obesity who have an endotype with mixed airway eosinophilic and neutrophilic inflammation.
ERK3 and DGKζ interact to modulate cell motility in lung cancer cells
Authors: Myers Amanda K. , Morel Marion , Gee Stephen H. , Hoffmann Katherine A. , Long Weiwen
Published: May 2023

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 3 (ERK3) promotes cell migration and tumor metastasis in multiple cancer types, including lung cancer. The extracellular-regulated kinase 3 protein has a unique structure. In addition to the N-terminal kinase domain, ERK3 includes a central conserved in extracellular-regulated kinase 3 and ERK4 (C34) domain and an extended C-terminus. However, relatively little is known regarding the role(s) of the C34 domain. A yeast two-hybrid assay using extracellular-regulated kinase 3 as bait identified diacylglycerol kinase ζ (DGKζ) as a binding partner. DGKζ was shown to promote migration and invasion in some cancer cell types, but its role in lung cancer cells is yet to be described. The interaction of extracellular-regulated kinase 3 and DGKζ was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation and in vitro binding assays, consistent with their co-localization at the periphery of lung cancer cells. The C34 domain of ERK3 was sufficient for binding to DGKζ, while extracellular-regulated kinase 3 bound to the N-terminal and C1 domains of DGKζ. Surprisingly, in contrast to extracellular-regulated kinase 3, DGKζ suppresses lung cancer cell migration, suggesting DGKζ might inhibit ERK3-mediated cell motility. Indeed, co-overexpression of exogenous DGKζ and extracellular-regulated kinase 3 completely blocked the ability of ERK3 to promote cell migration, but DGKζ did not affect the migration of cells with stable ERK3 knockdown. Furthermore, DGKζ had little effect on cell migration induced by overexpression of an ERK3 mutant missing the C34 domain, suggesting DGKζ requires this domain to prevent ERK3-mediated increase in cell migration. In summary, this study has identified DGKζ as a new binding partner and negative regulator of extracellular-regulated kinase 3 in controlling lung cancer cell migration.
Glycyrrhizic acid modified Poria cocos polyscaccharide carbon dots dissolving microneedles for methotrexate delivery to treat rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Chen Qi , Wu Chengyuan , Wang Siwei , Wang Qiang , Wu Peiyun , Wang Lei , Yan Peiyu , Xie Ying
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic joint inflammation. Methotrexate is one of the most effective drugs for rheumatoid arthritis, but the adverse reactions caused by oral methotrexate greatly limit its clinical application. Transdermal drug delivery system is an ideal alternative to oral methotrexate by absorbing drugs into the human body through the skin. However, methotrexate in the existing methotrexate microneedles is mostly used alone, and there are few reports of combined use with other anti-inflammatory drugs.

Methods: In this study, glycyrrhizic acid was first modified onto carbon dots, and then methotrexate was loaded to construct a nano-drug delivery system with fluorescence and dual anti-inflammatory effects. Then hyaluronic acid was combined with nano-drug delivery system to prepare biodegradable soluble microneedles for transdermal drug delivery of rheumatoid arthritis. The prepared nano-drug delivery system was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, laser nanoparticle size analyzer, ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimeter and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer. The results showed that glycyrrhizic acid and methotrexate were successfully loaded on carbon dots, and the drug loading of methotrexate was 49.09%. The inflammatory cell model was constructed by lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells. In vitro cell experiments were used to explore the inhibitory effect of the constructed nano-drug delivery system on the secretion of inflammatory factors by macrophages and the cell imaging ability. The drug loading, skin penetration ability, in vitro transdermal delivery and in vivo dissolution characteristics of the prepared microneedles were investigated. The rat model of rheumatoid arthritis was induced by Freund's complete adjuvant.

Results: The results of in vivo animal experiments showed that the soluble microneedles of the nano drug delivery system designed and prepared in this study could significantly inhibit the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and had a significant therapeutic effect on arthritis.

Discussion: The prepared glycyrrhizic acid-carbon dots-methotrexate soluble microneedle provides a feasible solution for the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis.
Cu2In alloy-embedded ZrO2 catalysts for efficient CO2 hydrogenation to methanol: promotion of plasma modification
Authors: Song Fujiao , Gao Jia , Yang Bairen , Cao Yan , Liu Huanhuan , Xu Qi
Published: May 2023

Cu1In2Zr4-O-C catalysts with Cu2In alloy structure were prepared by using the sol–gel method. Cu1In2Zr4-O-PC and Cu1In2Zr4-O-CP catalysts were obtained from plasma-modified Cu1In2Zr4-O-C before and after calcination, respectively. Under the conditions of reaction temperature 270°C, reaction pressure 2 MPa, CO2/H2 = 1/3, and GHSV = 12,000 mL/(g h), Cu1In2Zr4-O-PC catalyst has a high CO2 conversion of 13.3%, methanol selectivity of 74.3%, and CH3OH space-time yield of 3.26 mmol/gcat/h. The characterization results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and temperature-programmed reduction chemisorption (H2-TPR) showed that the plasma-modified catalyst had a low crystallinity, small particle size, good dispersion, and excellent reduction performance, leading to a better activity and selectivity. Through plasma modification, the strong interaction between Cu and In in Cu1In2Zr4-O-CP catalyst, the shift of Cu 2p orbital binding energy to a lower position, and the decrease in reduction temperature all indicate that the reduction ability of Cu1In2Zr4-O-CP catalyst is enhanced, and the CO2 hydrogenation activity is improved.
Impact of central venous pressure during the first 24 h and its time-course on the lactate levels and clinical outcomes of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting
Authors: Zhao Yu , Zhang Hongmin , Wang Xiaoting , Liu Dawei
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Previous studies have revealed that elevated mean central venous pressure (CVP) was associated with poor prognosis in specific patient groups. But no study explored the impact of mean CVP on prognosis of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG). The purpose of this study was to investigate the impacts of elevated CVP and its time-course on clinical outcomes of patients who underwent CABG and potential mechanisms.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed based on the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database. We first identified the CVP during specific period with the most predictive value. Patients were categorized into the low-CVP and high-CVP group on the basis of the cut-off value. A propensity score matching was used to adjust covariates. The primary outcome was a 28-day mortality. The secondary outcomes were 1-year mortality and in-hospital mortality, the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay and hospitalization, acute kidney injury incidence, use of vasopressors, duration of ventilation and oxygen index, and lactate levels and clearance. Patients in the high-CVP group were categorized into the “second day CVP ≤ 13.46 mmHg” group and the “second day CVP > 13.46 mmHg” group, respectively, and the clinical outcomes were the same as before.

Results

A total of 6,255 patients who underwent CABG were picked from the MIMIC-IV database, of which 5,641 CABG patients were monitored by CVP measurement during the first 2 days after ICU admission and 206,016 CVP records were extracted from the database. The mean CVP during the first 24 h was the most correlative and statistically significant for the 28-day mortality. The risk of the 28-day mortality was increased in the high-CVP group [OR 3.45 (95% CI: 1.77–6.70; p < 0.001)]. Patients with elevated CVP levels had worse secondary outcomes. The maximum of lactate levels and lactate clearance were also poor in the high-CVP group. For patients in the high-CVP group during the first 24 h, whose mean CVP during the second day lowered to less than the cut-off value, had better clinical outcomes.

Conclusions

An elevated mean CVP during the first 24 h was correlated with poor outcomes in patients who underwent CABG. The potential mechanisms may be influencing the lactate levels and lactate clearance through the impact on afterload of tissue perfusion. Patients whose mean CVP during the second day dropped to less than the cut-off value had favorable prognosis.
Capture threshold of bipolar and unipolar pacing of left ventricle via coronary sinus branch: longitudinal study
Authors: Stritecky Jakub , Kremlacek Jan , Hanus Josef , Haman Ludek , Stritecka Hana , Simka Jakub , Parizek Petr
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The aim of this paper is to first monitor the changes in the capture threshold of endovascularly placed leads for left ventricle pacing, second to compare the pacing configurations, and third to verify the effect of Steroid elution for endovascular leads.

Sample and Method

The study included 202 consecutive single centre patients implanted with the Quartet™ lead (St. Jude Medical). The capture threshold and related lead parameters were tested during implantation, on the day of the patient’s discharge, and 3, 9, and 15 months after implantation. The electrical energy corresponding to the threshold values for inducing ventricular contraction was recorded for subgroups of patients with bipolar and pseudo-unipolar pacing vectors and electrodes equipped with and without a slow-eluting steroids. The best setting for the resynchronization effect was generally chosen. Capture threshold was taken as a selection criterion only if there were multiple options with (expected) similar resynchronization effect.

Results and Discussion

The measurements showed that the ratio of threshold energies of UNI vs. BI was 5× higher (p < 0.001) at implantation. At the end of the follow-up, it dropped to 2.6 (p = 0.012). The steroid effect in BI vectors was caused by a double capture threshold in the NSE group compared to the SE group (p < 0.001), increased by approximately 2.5 times (p < 0.001). The study concludes that after a larger initial increase in the capture threshold, the leads showed a gradual increase in the entire set. As a result, the bipolar threshold energies increase, and the pseudo-unipolar energies decrease. Since bipolar vectors require a significantly lower pacing energy, battery life of the implanted device would improve. When evaluating the steroid elution of bipolar vectors, we observe a significant positive effect of a gradual increase of the threshold energy.
Transcriptome data analysis of primary cardiomyopathies reveals perturbations in arachidonic acid metabolism
Authors: Chauhan Pankaj Kumar , Sowdhamini Ramanathan
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Cardiomyopathies are complex heart diseases with significant prevalence around the world. Among these, primary forms are the major contributors to heart failure and sudden cardiac death. As a high-energy demanding engine, the heart utilizes fatty acids, glucose, amino acid, lactate and ketone bodies for energy to meet its requirement. However, continuous myocardial stress and cardiomyopathies drive towards metabolic impairment that advances heart failure (HF) pathogenesis. So far, metabolic profile correlation across different cardiomyopathies remains poorly understood.

Methods

In this study, we systematically explore metabolic differences amongst primary cardiomyopathies. By assessing the metabolic gene expression of all primary cardiomyopathies, we highlight the significantly shared and distinct metabolic pathways that may represent specialized adaptations to unique cellular demands. We utilized publicly available RNA-seq datasets to profile global changes in the above diseases (|log2FC| ≥ 0.28 and BH adjusted p-val 0.1) and performed gene set analysis (GSA) using the PAGE statistics on KEGG pathways.

Results

Our analysis demonstrates that genes in arachidonic acid metabolism (AA) are significantly perturbed across cardiomyopathies. In particular, the arachidonic acid metabolism gene PLA2G2A interacts with fibroblast marker genes and can potentially influence fibrosis during cardiomyopathy.

Conclusion

The profound significance of AA metabolism within the cardiovascular system renders it a key player in modulating the phenotypes of cardiomyopathies.
Assessment of subclinical cardiac dysfunction by speckle-tracking echocardiography among people living with human immunodeficiency virus
Authors: Liao Chia-Te , Toh Han Siong , Chang Wei-Ting , Yang Chun-Ting , Chen Zhih-Cherng , Tang Hung-Jen , Strong Carol
Published: May 2023

Background

People living with HIV (PLWH) have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD). As speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) has been used to detect subclinical myocardial abnormalities, this study aims to detect early cardiac impairment among Asian PLWH using STE and to investigate the associated risk factors.

Methods

We consecutively recruited asymptomatic PLWH without previous CVD from a medical center of Taiwan, and their cardiac function was evaluated by conventional echocardiogram and STE. Enrolled PLWH were classified as antiretroviral therapy (ART)-experienced and ART-naive, and multivariable regressions were used to assess the association between myocardial strain and risk factors including traditional CVD and HIV-associated factors.

Results

A total of 181 PLWH (mean age: 36.4 ± 11.4 years, 173 males) were recruited and conventional echocardiogram parameters were within normal ranges. Decreased myocardial strain across the myocardium was found, with a mean left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain of −18.7 ± 2.9%. The LV strain in the ART-experienced group (−19.0 ± 2.9%) was significantly better than the ART-naive group (−17.9 ± 2.8%), despite a younger age and lesser CVD risk factors in the ART-naive group. Hypertension [B = 1.92, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.19–3.62, p = 0.029] and ART-naive with both low and high viral loads (VL) (B = 1.09, 95% CI 0.03–2.16, p = 0.047; and B = 2.00, 95% CI, 0.22–3.79, p = 0.029) were significantly associated with reduced myocardial strain.

Conclusion

This is the first and largest cohort using STE to investigate myocardial strain in Asian PLWH. Our results suggest that hypertension and detectable VL are associated with impaired myocardial strain. Thus, timely ART administration with VL suppression and hypertension control are crucial in preventing CVD when making the management parallel with the improved life expectancy of PLWH on ART.
A CBT-based mobile intervention as an adjunct treatment for adolescents with symptoms of depression: a virtual randomized controlled feasibility trial
Authors: Kulikov Vera N. , Crosthwaite Phoebe C. , Hall Shana A. , Flannery Jessica E. , Strauss Gabriel S. , Vierra Elise M. , Koepsell Xin L. , Lake Jessica I. , Padmanabhan Aarthi
Published: May 2023

Background

High rates of adolescent depression demand for more effective, accessible treatment options. A virtual randomized controlled trial was used to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a 5-week, self-guided, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based mobile application, Spark, compared to a psychoeducational mobile application (Active Control) as an adjunct treatment for adolescents with depression during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A community sample aged 13–21, with self-reported symptoms of depression, was recruited nationwide. Participants were randomly assigned to use either Spark or Active Control (NSpark = 35; NActive Control = 25). Questionnaires, including the PHQ-8 measuring depression symptoms, completed before, during, and immediately following completion of the intervention, evaluated depressive symptoms, usability, engagement, and participant safety. App engagement data were also analyzed.

Results

60 eligible adolescents (female = 47) were enrolled in 2 months. 35.6% of those expressing interest were consented and all enrolled. Study retention was high (85%). Spark users rated the app as usable (System Usability Scalemean = 80.67) and engaging (User Engagement Scale-Short Formmean = 3.62). Median daily use was 29%, and 23% completed all levels. There was a significant negative relationship between behavioral activations completed and change in PHQ-8. Efficacy analyses revealed a significant main effect of time, F = 40.60, p < .001, associated with decreased PHQ-8 scores over time. There was no significant Group × Time interaction (F = 0.13, p = .72) though the numeric decrease in PHQ-8 was greater for Spark (4.69 vs. 3.56). No serious adverse events or adverse device effects were reported for Spark users. Two serious adverse events reported in the Active Control group were addressed per our safety protocol.

Conclusion

Recruitment, enrollment, and retention rates demonstrated study feasibility by being comparable or better than other mental health apps. Spark was highly acceptable relative to published norms. The study's novel safety protocol efficiently detected and managed adverse events. The lack of significant difference in depression symptom reduction between Spark and Active Control may be explained by study design and study design factors. Procedures established during this feasibility study will be leveraged for subsequent powered clinical trials evaluating app efficacy and safety.

Clinical Trial Registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04524598
Phthalates exposure and pubertal development in a 15-year follow-up birth cohort study in Taiwan
Authors: Su Pen-Hua , Huang Jing-Yang , Wang Shu-Li Julie , Chang Hua-Pin
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Phthalates are ubiquitous endocrine disruptors that can affect pubertal development in children. The association of fetal and childhood levels of phthalates with pubertal development were explored.

Methods

We conduct a population-based birth cohort study to investigate the association between prenatal and childhood exposure to phthalates and pubertal development. Initially, a total of 445 children were recruited from 2000 to 2001, of which 90 children were followed for 15 years which measurements of urine and development assessed at 2, 5, 8, 11, and 14 years. We defined higher Tanner stage as the 14-year-old Tanner stage ≥ 4 and 5 for boys and girls, respectively. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to estimate the crude and adjusted odds ratio of a higher Tanner stage at 14 years old. The Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression were used to estimate the association of testicular volume, uterine volume, ovarian volume, and blood hormones at 14 years of age with the log-transformed concentration of phthalates at 2, 5, 8, 11, and 14 years.

Results

In boys, a significantly different geometric mean of mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP) was observed in 11-year-olds; 6.82 and 2.96 in the lower Tanner stage group and higher Tanner stage group. In girls, a significant difference in the geometric mean of mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) in 11-year-olds and mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP) in 2-year-olds was observed; MEHHP was 32.97 and 18.13 in the lower Tanner stage group and higher Tanner stage group, and MEP was 26.54 and 65.74 in the lower Tanner stage group and higher Tanner stage group, respectively. Uterine volume at 14 years old was negatively associated with several phthalate metabolites (MEHP at 8 years old, MnBP at 8 years old, MBzP at 14 years old, MMP prenatally, MMP at 8 years old, and MEP at 8 years old) after adjusting for covariates. However, no significant correlations were found between phthalate metabolites and ovarian or testicular volume.

Conclusion

Phthalate exposure at certain time points may influence the reproductive development of children during puberty; however, further studies should be conducted to determine the causal nature of this association.
First trimester sCD40L levels associated with adverse neonatal outcomes in euthyroid pregnant women with positive TPOAb
Authors: Chen Xinxin , Wang Qingyao , Zang Huanhuan , Cong Xiangguo , Shen Qiong , Chen Lei
Published: May 2023

Backgrounds

It remained unclear whether isolated positive thyroid peroxidative antibodies (TPOAb) were associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The purpose of this study was to observe adverse neonatal outcomes among euthyroid pregnant women with positive TPOAb and to investigate the underlying risk factors.

Methods

Euthyroid pregnant women with TPOAb positivity were enrolled and followed up in our study. Adverse neonatal outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and fetal macrosomia were observed. Clinical data in the first trimester were collected and compared between groups with or without adverse neonatal outcomes. Maternal serum soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) was also measured at the same time.

Results

A total of 176 euthyroid pregnant women with TPOAb positivity were finally enrolled and analyzed in our study. Thirty-nine (22.16%) euthyroid women with TPOAb positivity were found to have adverse neonatal outcomes. Thirteen participants received assisted reproductive technology (ART) in our study, and seven participants were in the adverse neonatal outcome group. Preterm birth, low birth weight, and fetal macrosomia were the most common comorbidities. The proportion of receiving ART and the levels of sCD40L and platelet were significantly higher in the adverse neonatal outcome group (all P < 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis showed that sCD40L and receiving ART were the independent risk factors for adverse neonatal outcomes. The odds ratio values of sCD40L higher than 5.625 ng/ml were 2.386 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.017 to 5.595; P = 0.046] for overall adverse neonatal outcome, 3.900 (95% CI = 1.194 to 12.738; P = 0.024) for preterm birth, and 3.149 (95% CI = 0.982 to 10.101; P = 0.054) for low birth weight.

Conclusions

Approximately one of the four euthyroid women with TPOAb positivity might have adverse neonatal outcomes. Measurement of sCD40L in first trimester might have a predictive value for adverse neonatal outcomes in euthyroid pregnant women with positive TPOAb.
Rheumatoid arthritis increases the risk of heart failure-current evidence from genome-wide association studies
Authors: Wang Min , Mei Kun , Chao Ce , Di Dongmei , Qian Yongxiang , Wang Bin , Zhang Xiaoying
Published: May 2023

Background

Numerous studies have demonstrated that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is related to increased incidence of heart failure (HF), but the underlying association remains unclear. In this study, the potential association of RA and HF was clarified using Mendelian randomization analysis.

Methods

Genetic tools for RA, HF, autoimmune disease (AD), and NT-proBNP were acquired from genome-wide studies without population overlap. The inverse variance weighting method was employed for MR analysis. Meanwhile, the results were verified in terms of reliability by using a series of analyses and assessments.

Results

According to MR analysis, its genetic susceptibility to RA may lead to increased risk of heart failure (OR=1.02226, 95%CI [1.005495-1.039304], P=0.009067), but RA was not associated with NT-proBNP. In addition, RA was a type of AD, and the genetic susceptibility of AD had a close relation to increased risk of heart failure (OR=1.045157, 95%CI [1.010249-1.081272], P=0.010825), while AD was not associated with NT-proBNP. In addition, the MR Steiger test revealed that RA was causal for HF and not the opposite (P = 0.000).

Conclusion

The causal role of RA in HF was explored to recognize the underlying mechanisms of RA and facilitate comprehensive HF evaluation and treatment of RA.
The versatile role of Serpina3c in physiological and pathological processes: a review of recent studies
Authors: Li Yang , Guo Liang
Published: May 2023

Murine Serpina3c belongs to the family of serine protease inhibitors (Serpins), clade “A” and its human homologue is SerpinA3. Serpina3c is involved in some physiological processes, including insulin secretion and adipogenesis. In the pathophysiological process, the deletion of Serpina3c leads to more severe metabolic disorders, such as aggravated non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), insulin resistance and obesity. In addition, Serpina3c can improve atherosclerosis and regulate cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction. Many of these processes are directly or indirectly mediated by its inhibition of serine protease activity. Although its function has not been fully revealed, recent studies have shown its potential research value. Here, we aimed to summarize recent studies to provide a clearer view of the biological roles and the underlying mechanisms of Serpina3c.
The Coronavirus Calendar (CoronaCal): a simplified SARS-CoV-2 test system for sampling and retrospective analysis
Authors: Kazmi Manija A. , Thaler David S. , Åberg Karina C. , Mattheisen Jordan M. , Huber Thomas , Sakmar Thomas P.
Published: May 2023

Objectives

To develop a biological diary (CoronaCal) that allows anyone in the community to collect and store serial saliva samples and chart symptoms on ordinary printer paper.

Methods

Diaries were analyzed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA using established polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedures. CoronaCal diaries were distributed to volunteer subjects in the community during the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak in New York. Volunteers collected their own daily saliva samples and self-reported symptoms.

Results

SARS-CoV-2 RNA extracted from CoronaCals was measured using qPCR and RNA levels were correlated with reported symptoms. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in CoronaCals from nine of nine people with COVID-19 symptoms or exposure to someone with COVID-19, and not in one asymptomatic person. CoronaCals were stored for up to 70 days at room temperature during collection and then frozen for up to four months before analysis, suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 RNA is stable once dried onto paper.

Conclusions

Sampling saliva on simple paper provides a useful method to study the natural history and epidemiology of COVID-19. The CoronaCal collection and testing method is easy to implement, inexpensive, non-invasive and scalable. The approach can inform the historical and epidemiological understanding of infections in individuals and populations.
Subject clustering by IF-PCA and several recent methods
Authors: Chen Dieyi , Jin Jiashun , Ke Zheng Tracy
Published: May 2023

Subject clustering (i.e., the use of measured features to cluster subjects, such as patients or cells, into multiple groups) is a problem of significant interest. In recent years, many approaches have been proposed, among which unsupervised deep learning (UDL) has received much attention. Two interesting questions are 1) how to combine the strengths of UDL and other approaches and 2) how these approaches compare to each other. We combine the variational auto-encoder (VAE), a popular UDL approach, with the recent idea of influential feature-principal component analysis (IF-PCA) and propose IF-VAE as a new method for subject clustering. We study IF-VAE and compare it with several other methods (including IF-PCA, VAE, Seurat, and SC3) on 10 gene microarray data sets and eight single-cell RNA-seq data sets. We find that IF-VAE shows significant improvement over VAE, but still underperforms compared to IF-PCA. We also find that IF-PCA is quite competitive, slightly outperforming Seurat and SC3 over the eight single-cell data sets. IF-PCA is conceptually simple and permits delicate analysis. We demonstrate that IF-PCA is capable of achieving phase transition in a rare/weak model. Comparatively, Seurat and SC3 are more complex and theoretically difficult to analyze (for these reasons, their optimality remains unclear).
ATAC-seq reveals the roles of chromatin accessibility in the chondrocytes of Kashin–Beck disease compared with primary osteoarthritis
Authors: Wang Sen , Wang Yuanji , Li Xingyu , Yuan Linlin , Guo Xiong , Lammi Mikko J.
Published: May 2023

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the roles of accessible chromatin in understanding the different pathogeneses between Kashin–Beck disease (KBD) and primary osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Articular cartilages of KBD and OA patients were collected, and after tissue digestion, primary chondrocytes were cultured in vitro. Assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq) was performed to compare the accessible chromatin differences of chondrocytes between KBD and OA groups. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were executed for the promoter genes. Then, the IntAct online database was used to generate networks of significant genes. Finally, we overlapped the analysis of differentially accessible region (DAR)-associated genes and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) obtained from whole-genomic microarray.

Results: We obtained 2,751 total DARs, which contained 1,985 loss and 856 gain DARs and belonged to 11 location distributions. We obtained 218 motifs associated with loss DARs, 71 motifs associated with gain DARs, 30 motif enrichments of loss DARs, and 30 motif enrichments of gain DARs. In total, 1,749 genes are associated with loss DARs, and 826 genes are associated with gain DARs. Among them, 210 promoter genes are associated with loss DARs, and 112 promoter genes are associated with gain DARs. We obtained 15 terms of GO enrichment and 5 terms of KEGG pathway enrichment from loss DAR promoter genes, and 15 terms of GO enrichment and 3 terms of KEGG pathway enrichment from gain DAR promoter genes. We obtained CAPN6 and other 2 overlap genes from loss DARs-vs-down DEGs, AMOTL1 from gain DARs-vs-down DEGs, EBF3 and other 12 overlap genes from loss DARs-vs-up DEGs, and ADARB1 and other 10 overlap genes from 101 gain DARs-vs-up DEGs. These overlap genes were built into 4 gene interaction networks.

Conclusion:FGF7, GPD1L, NFIB, RUNX2, and VCAM1 were the overlapped genes from the DAR-associated genes and DEGs. These genes were associated with the abnormal chondrocyte function, which may play crucial roles in different processes between KBD and OA in the way of accessible chromatin.
The analysis of cathepsin L that mediates cellular SARS‐CoV‐2 infection leading to COVID‐19 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Gao Feng , Wang Xia , Qin Nianhong , Zhang Mingxia , Liao Mingfeng , Zeng Meiqi , Lu Desheng , Sha Ou
Published: May 2023

The vulnerability of the oral cavity to SARS-CoV-2 infection is well-known, and cancer patients are at a higher risk of COVID-19, emphasizing the need to prioritize this patient population. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most common malignant cancers associated with early metastasis and poor prognosis. It has been established that cancerous tissues express Cathepsin L (CTSL), a proteinase that regulates cancer progression and SARS-CoV-2 entry. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the correlation between disease outcomes and CTSL expression in cancer tissues and predict the susceptibility of cancer patients to SARS-CoV-2. In this study, we used transcriptomic and genomic data to profile CTSL expression in HNSCC and developed a CTSL signature that could reflect the response of HNSCC patients to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Additionally, we investigated the relationship between CTSL expression and immune cell infiltration and established CTSL as a potential carcinogenic factor for HNSCC patients. These findings could aid in understanding the mechanisms underlying the increased susceptibility of HNSCC patients to SARS-CoV-2 and contribute to the development of therapy for both HNSCC and COVID-19.