bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of neural networks to the prediction of the compressive capacity of corroded steel plates
Authors: Zhang Tao , Vaccaro Michael , Zaghi Arash E.
Published: March 2023

The application of artificial neural network approaches has been successful in solving complex civil engineering problems, such as damage detection and structural member capacity prediction. Within the context of the present study, corrosion has become the main factor limiting the safety and load-carrying capacity of aging steel bridge girders. Corrosion damage is often most severe near girder ends in simple-span bridges due to deck joint leakage and the pooling of water and de-icing salts. In addition to empirical methods, Finite Element (FE) analysis is typically used to evaluate the residual bearing capacity of corroded steel girders. However, it is prohibitively challenging and time-consuming to create an accurate FE model of a corroded girder due to the irregular nature of corrosion damage. Resultantly, corrosion damage is often reduced to uniform section loss, which leads to unreliable estimates of a girder’s residual bearing capacity. Researchers have proposed methodologies for modeling irregular corrosion damage, but these approaches require a high level of expertise. A comprehensive method is therefore required to efficiently estimate the residual bearing capacity of a corroded steel girder. This paper proposes the use of neural networks to predict the residual bearing capacity of corroded steel plate models as a first step in estimating the residual bearing capacity of an in-service girder. Neural networks are constructed and trained on a database built from FE analysis performed on steel plate models with realistic representations of corrosion damage. This study assesses the ability of neural networks to estimate the compressive capacity of corroded steel plates since plate girders are one of the most prevalent girder forms in steel bridges. Three types of neural networks are trained to predict the compressive capacity of corroded plate models, including a multilayer perceptron (MLP), a convolutional neural network (CNN), and a hybrid MLP-CNN model. The average mean absolute percentage errors (MAPE) for the three models are 20.65%, 11.46%, and 9.64%, respectively. The results of this study demonstrate the potential of using neural networks to predict the compressive capacity of corroded plates efficiently and accurately, which could facilitate proactive maintenance decision-making for aging bridges.
Gap junction Delta-2b (gjd2b/Cx35.1) depletion causes hyperopia and visual-motor deficiencies in the zebrafish
Authors: Brown-Panton Cherie A. , Sabour Shiva , Zoidl Georg S. O. , Zoidl Christiane , Tabatabaei Nima , Zoidl Georg R.
Published: March 2023

The zebrafish is a powerful model to investigate the developmental roles of electrical synapses because many signaling pathways that regulate the development of the nervous system are highly conserved from fish to humans. Here, we provide evidence linking the mammalian connexin-36 (Cx36) ortholog gjd2b/Cx35.1, a major component of electrical synapses in the zebrafish, with a refractive error in the context of morphological, molecular, and behavioral changes of zebrafish larvae. Two abnormalities were identified. The optical coherence tomography analysis of the adult retina confirmed changes to the refractive properties caused by eye axial length reduction, leading to hyperopic shifts. The gjd2b/Cx35.1 depletion was also correlated with morphological changes to the head and body ratios in larvae. The differential expression of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling genes, connexins, and dopamine receptors suggested a contribution to the observed phenotypic differences. The alteration of visual-motor behavioral responses to abrupt light transitions was aggravated in larvae, providing evidence that cone photoreceptor cell activity was enhanced when gjd2b/Cx35.1 was depleted. The visual disturbances were reversed under low light conditions in gjd2b−/−/Cx35.1−/− larvae. Since qRT-PCR data demonstrated that two rhodopsin genes were downregulated, we speculated that rod photoreceptor cells in gjd2b/Cx35.1−/− larvae were less sensitive to bright light transitions, thus providing additional evidence that a cone-mediated process caused the VMR light-ON hyperactivity after losing Cx35.1 expression. Together, this study provides evidence for the role of gjd2b/Cx35.1 in the development of the visual system and visually guided behaviors.
Iodide uptake by forest soils is principally related to the activity of extracellular oxidases
Authors: Grandbois Russell M. , Santschi Peter H. , Xu Chen , Mitchell Joshua M. , Kaplan Daniel I. , Yeager Chris M.
Published: March 2023

129I is a nuclear fission decay product of concern because of its long half-life (16 Ma) and propensity to bioaccumulate. Microorganisms impact iodine mobility in soil systems by promoting iodination (covalent binding) of soil organic matter through processes that are not fully understood. Here, we examined iodide uptake by soils collected at two depths (0–10 and 10–20 cm) from 5 deciduous and coniferous forests in Japan and the United States. Autoclaved soils, and soils amended with an enzyme inhibitor (sodium azide) or an antibacterial agent (bronopol), bound significantly less 125I tracer (93%, 81%, 61% decrease, respectively) than the untreated control soils, confirming a microbial role in soil iodide uptake. Correlation analyses identified the strongest significant correlation between 125I uptake and three explanatory variables, actinobacteria soil biomass (p = 6.04E-04, 1.35E-02 for Kendall-Tau and regression analysis, respectively), soil nitrogen content (p = 4.86E-04, 4.24E-03), and soil oxidase enzyme activity at pH 7.0 using the substrate L-DOPA (p = 2.83E-03, 4.33E-04) and at pH 5.5 using the ABTS (p = 5.09E-03, 3.14E-03). Together, the results suggest that extracellular oxidases, primarily of bacterial origin, are the primary catalyst for soil iodination in aerobic, surface soils of deciduous and coniferous forests, and that soil N content may be indicative of the availability of binding sites for reactive iodine species.
Manipulation of microvillar proteins during Salmonella enterica invasion results in brush border effacement and actin remodeling
Authors: Felipe-López Alfonso , Hansmeier Nicole , Danzer Claudia , Hensel Michael
Published: March 2023

Enterocyte invasion by the gastrointestinal pathogen Salmonella enterica is accompanied by loss of brush border and massive remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton, leading to microvilli effacement and formation of membrane ruffles. These manipulations are mediated by effector proteins translocated by the Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 1-encoded type III secretion system (SPI1-T3SS). To unravel the mechanisms of microvilli effacement and contribution of SPI1-T3SS effector proteins, the dynamics of host-pathogen interactions was analyzed using live cell imaging (LCI) of polarized epithelial cells (PEC) expressing LifeAct-GFP. PEC were infected with S. enterica wild-type and mutant strains with defined defects in SPI1-T3SS effector proteins, and pharmacological inhibition of actin assembly were applied. We identified that microvilli effacement involves two distinct mechanisms: i) F-actin depolymerization mediated by villin and ii), the consumption of cytoplasmic G-actin by formation of membrane ruffles. By analyzing the contribution of individual SPI1-T3SS effector proteins, we demonstrate that SopE dominantly triggers microvilli effacement and formation of membrane ruffles. Furthermore, SopE via Rac1 indirectly manipulates villin, which culminates in F-actin depolymerization. Collectively, these results indicate that SopE has dual functions during F-actin remodeling in PEC. While SopE-Rac1 triggers F-actin polymerization and ruffle formation, activation of PLCγ and villin by SopE depolymerizes F-actin in PEC. These results demonstrate the key role of SopE in destruction of the intestinal barrier during intestinal infection by Salmonella.
Protein sociology of ProA, Mip and other secreted virulence factors at the Legionella pneumophila surface
Authors: Scheithauer Lina , Karagöz Mustafa Safa , Mayer Benjamin E. , Steinert Michael
Published: March 2023

The pathogenicity of L. pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires’ disease, depends on an arsenal of interacting proteins. Here we describe how surface-associated and secreted virulence factors of this pathogen interact with each other or target extra- and intracellular host proteins resulting in host cell manipulation and tissue colonization. Since progress of computational methods like AlphaFold, molecular dynamics simulation, and docking allows to predict, analyze and evaluate experimental proteomic and interactomic data, we describe how the combination of these approaches generated new insights into the multifaceted “protein sociology” of the zinc metalloprotease ProA and the peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase Mip (macrophage infectivity potentiator). Both virulence factors of L. pneumophila interact with numerous proteins including bacterial flagellin (FlaA) and host collagen, and play important roles in virulence regulation, host tissue degradation and immune evasion. The recent progress in protein-ligand analyses of virulence factors suggests that machine learning will also have a beneficial impact in early stages of drug discovery.
Complexity and controversy in media coverage of Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination: A qualitative content analysis of news coverage in Denmark 2008–2018
Authors: Agergaard Torben E. , Smith Màiri E. , Gammelby Ane Kathrine , Tørring Marie Louise , Nielsen Kristian H.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Traditional news media play an important, yet notoriously complex role in vaccination communication. News media remain a common source of information about vaccines and potentially influence individual decisions to choose vaccination or not. In Denmark, Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates remained relatively high until suspected adverse reactions began to receive extensive coverage in the news. Existing research studies associate the decline in HPV vaccination rates with misleading or negative news stories.

Methods

We probed Danish media coverage beyond dichotomies such as misleading vs. informative, or negative vs. positive. We combined quantitative and qualitative approaches to media coverage of the Danish HPV vaccination crisis and recovery. Our research design focused on six national newspapers and allowed us to identify 865 articles published in periods of peak media coverage from 2008 to 2018 (extracted from a total sample of 1,437 articles published between 1991 and 2019). We used qualitative content analysis to discern the main topics covered, and we analyzed contextual factors that affected the meanings of our main topics.

Results

Our results confirm the rise of suspected adverse reactions as the dominant main topic in 2015. However, we find that news stories about adverse reactions were diverse and closely related to other main topics such as conflicts of interests and debate among experts and other stakeholders. In 2017, the media began downplaying suspected adverse reactions when concerns about declining vaccination rates and misinformation by the media were voiced.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that controversial media messages about vaccination are hard to classify as either negative or positive but must be interpreted carefully in context of what is known about the controversy. Learning from past media controversies remains important to understanding the media's role in the social construction of risks and benefits associated with vaccination.
Macrophage polarization markers in subcutaneous, pericardial, and epicardial adipose tissue are altered in patients with coronary heart disease
Authors: Papotti Bianca , Opstad Trine Baur , Åkra Sissel , Tønnessen Theis , Braathen Bjørn , Hansen Charlotte Holst , Arnesen Harald , Solheim Svein , Seljeflot Ingebjørg , Ronda Nicoletta
Published: March 2023

Background

Epicardial and pericardial adipose tissue (EAT and PAT) surround and protect the heart, with EAT directly sharing the microcirculation with the myocardium, possibly presenting a distinct macrophage phenotype that might affect the inflammatory environment in coronary heart disease (CHD). This study aims to investigate the expression of genes in different AT compartments driving the polarization of AT macrophages toward an anti-inflammatory (L-Galectin 9; CD206) or pro-inflammatory (NOS2) phenotype.

Methods

EAT, PAT, and subcutaneous (SAT) biopsies were collected from 52 CHD patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, and from 22 CTRLs undergoing aortic valve replacement. L-Galectin9 (L-Gal9), CD206, and NOS2 AT gene expression and circulating levels were analyzed through RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively.

Results

L-Gal9, CD206, and NOS2 gene expression was similar in all AT compartments in CHD and CTRLs, as were also L-Gal9 and CD206 circulating levels, while NOS2 serum levels were higher in CHD (p = 0.012 vs. CTRLs). In CTRLs, NOS2 expression was lower in EAT vs. SAT (p = 0.007), while in CHD patients CD206 expression was lower in both SAT and EAT as compared to PAT (p = 0.003, p = 0.006, respectively), suggestive of a possible macrophage reprogramming toward a pro-inflammatory phenotype in EAT. In CHD patients, NOS2 expression in SAT correlated to that in PAT and EAT (p = 0.007, both), CD206 expression correlated positively to L-Gal9 (p < 0.001) only in EAT, and CD206 expression associated with that of macrophage identifying markers in all AT compartments (p < 0.001, all). In CHD patients, subjects with LDL-C above 1.8 mmol/L showed significantly higher NOS2 expression in PAT and EAT as compared to subjects with LDL-C levels below (p < 0.05), possibly reflecting increased cardiac AT pro-inflammatory activation. In SAT and PAT, CD206 expression associated with BMI in both CHD and CTRLs (p < 0.05, all), and with L-Gal9 in EAT, however only in CTRLs (p = 0.002).

Conclusion

CHD seems to be accompanied by an altered cardiac, and especially epicardial AT macrophage polarization. This may represent an important pathophysiological mechanism and a promising field of therapy targeting the excessive AT inflammation, in need of further investigation.
Left ventricular systolic function in subjects conceived through assisted reproductive technologies
Authors: Sciuk Franziska , Vilsmaier Theresa , Kramer Marie , Langer Magdalena , Kolbinger Brenda , Li Pengzhu , Jakob André , Rogenhofer Nina , Dalla-Pozza Robert , Thaler Christian , Haas Nikolaus Alexander , Oberhoffer Felix Sebastian
Published: March 2023

Background

Over the past decades, assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have gained remarkable influence in the treatment of infertility and account for more than 2 % of births in European countries nowadays. Accumulating evidence suggests ART to cause cardiovascular alterations, including left ventricular (LV) dysfunctions, within its offspring. The aim of this study was to assess LV systolic function in subjects conceived through ART in comparison to spontaneously conceived peers.

Methods

For the assessment of LV morphology and LV function, M-Mode echocardiography, pulsed wave Doppler and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) were applied. LV ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) were assessed in M-Mode and calculated by Teichholz formula. EF was additionally assessed semiautomatically through 2DSTE.

Results

In total, 64 ART subjects and 83 spontaneously conceived controls with no significant differences in age (12.52 ± 5.64 years vs. 13.20 ± 5.95 years, p = 0.486) and sex were included in the analysis. In the ART cohort, significantly lower values were observed for M-Mode assessed EF (63.63 ± 5.17 % vs. 65.35 ± 5.10 %, p = 0.046) and FS (34.26 ± 3.87 % vs. 35.60 ± 3.84 %, p = 0.038). However, after the adjustment for birth weight percentile and gestational age, M-Mode assessed EF and FS displayed no significant differences between both groups. LV morphology and remaining systolic function parameters, such as mitral annular plane systolic excursion, aortic velocity time integral, global peak longitudinal strain and 2DSTE measured EF, were comparable between both groups.

Conclusion

This study suggests a lower LV systolic function in ART subjects, visualized by significantly lower values for M-Mode assessed EF and FS, compared to spontaneously conceived peers. The clinical relevance of these findings has to be investigated as the above-mentioned parameters were in normal reference range. In addition, LV systolic function parameters evaluated by other echocardiographic imaging modalities were comparable between both groups. Therefore, further studies will be required to evaluate the influence of ART on LV systolic function and cardiovascular morbidity in the future.
The relationship between the pan-immune-inflammation value and long-term prognoses in patients with hypertension: National Health and Nutrition Examination Study, 1999–2018
Authors: Wu Bo , Zhang Chenlu , Lin Shuqiong , Zhang Yanbin , Ding Shan , Song Wei
Published: March 2023

Background

Direct antihypertensive therapy in hypertensive patients with a high CVD risk can reduce the incidence of cardiovascular death but increase adverse cardiovascular events, so additional ways to identify hypertensive patients at high risk may be needed. Studies have shown that immunity and inflammation affect the prognoses of patients with hypertension and that the pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV) is an index to assess immunity and inflammation, but few studies have applied the PIV index to patients with hypertension.

Objective

To explore the relationship between the PIV and long-term all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with hypertension.

Method

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2018 with a mortality follow-up through December 31, 2019, were analyzed. A total of 26,781 participants were evaluated. The patients were grouped based on PIV levels as follows: T1 group (n = 8,938), T2 group (n = 8,893), and T3 group (n = 8,950). The relationship between the PIV and long-term all-cause and cardiovascular death was assessed by survival curves and Cox regression analysis based on the NHANES recommended weights.

Result

The PIV was significantly associated with long-term all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with hypertension. After full adjustment, patients with higher PIV have a higher risk of all-cause [Group 3: HR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.20–1.55, p < 0.001] and cardiovascular [Group 3: HR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.22–2.15, p < 0.001] mortality.

Conclusion

Elevated PIV was associated with increased all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in hypertensive patients.
Racial disparities in characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair
Authors: Shechter Alon , Kaewkes Danon , Makar Moody , Patel Vivek , Koren Ofir , Koseki Keita , Solanki Aum , Dhillon Manvir , Nagasaka Takashi , Skaf Sabah , Chakravarty Tarun , Makkar Raj R. , Siegel Robert J.
Published: March 2023

Background

There are scarce data regarding the post-mitral transcatheter edge-to-edger repair (TEER) course in different racial groups.

Objective

To assess the impact of race on outcomes following TEER for mitral regurgitation (MR).

Methods

This is a single-center, retrospective analysis of consecutive TEER procedures performed during 2013–2020. The primary outcome was the composite of all-cause mortality or heart failure (HF) hospitalizations along the first postprocedural year. Secondary outcomes included individual components of the primary outcome, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, MR grade, and left ventricular mass index (LVMi).

Results

Out of 964 cases, 751 (77.9%), 88 (9.1%), 68 (7.1%), and 57 (5.9%) were whites, blacks, Asians, and Hispanics, respectively. At baseline, non-whites and blacks were younger and more likely be female, based in lower socioeconomic areas, not fully insured, diagnosed with functional MR, and affected by biventricular dysfunction. Intra-procedurally, more devices were implanted in blacks. At 1-year, non-whites (vs. whites) and blacks (vs. non-blacks or whites) experienced higher cumulative incidence of the primary outcome (32.9% vs. 22.5%, p = 0.002 and 38.6% vs. 23.4% or 22.5%, p = 0.002 or p = 0.001, respectively), which were accounted for by hospitalizations in the functional MR sub-cohort (n = 494). NYHA class improved less among blacks with functional MR. MR severity and LVMi equally regressed in all groups. White race (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.39–0.99, p = 0.047) and black race (HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.28–3.35, p = 0.003) were independently associated with the primary outcome in functional MR patients only.

Conclusion

Mitral TEER patients of different racial backgrounds exhibit major differences in baseline characteristics. Among those with functional MR, non-whites and blacks also experience a less favorable 1-year clinical outcome.
Muscle progenitor cells are required for skeletal muscle regeneration and prevention of adipogenesis after limb ischemia
Authors: Abbas Hasan , Olivere Lindsey A. , Padgett Michael E. , Schmidt Cameron A. , Gilmore Brian F. , McCord Timothy J. , Southerland Kevin W. , McClung Joseph M. , Kontos Christopher D.
Published: March 2023

Skeletal muscle injury in peripheral artery disease (PAD) has been attributed to vascular insufficiency, however evidence has demonstrated that muscle cell responses play a role in determining outcomes in limb ischemia. Here, we demonstrate that genetic ablation of Pax7+ muscle progenitor cells (MPCs) in a model of hindlimb ischemia (HLI) inhibited muscle regeneration following ischemic injury, despite a lack of morphological or physiological changes in resting muscle. Compared to control mice (Pax7WT), the ischemic limb of Pax7-deficient mice (Pax7Δ) was unable to generate significant force 7 or 28 days after HLI. A significant increase in adipose was observed in the ischemic limb 28 days after HLI in Pax7Δ mice, which replaced functional muscle. Adipogenesis in Pax7Δ mice corresponded with a significant increase in PDGFRα+ fibro/adipogenic progenitors (FAPs). Inhibition of FAPs with batimastat decreased muscle adipose but increased fibrosis. In vitro, Pax7Δ MPCs failed to form myotubes but displayed increased adipogenesis. Skeletal muscle from patients with critical limb threatening ischemia displayed increased adipose in more ischemic regions of muscle, which corresponded with fewer satellite cells. Collectively, these data demonstrate that Pax7+ MPCs are required for muscle regeneration after ischemia and suggest that muscle regeneration may be an important therapeutic target in PAD.
The patient perspective on remote monitoring of implantable cardiac devices
Authors: Hillmann Henrike A. K. , Hansen Claudius , Przibille Oliver , Duncker David
Published: March 2023

Aims

Remote monitoring for patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is well established in clinical routine and recommended by current guidelines. Nevertheless, data regarding patients’ perceptions are limited. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the patient perspectives on the remote monitoring of cardiac devices in Germany.

Methods and results

Patients with CIEDs and remote monitoring of all current manufacturers from three German centers were asked to participate. The questionnaire consisted of 37 questions regarding the patients’ individual use and perspectives on remote monitoring. Survey participation was anonymous and on a voluntary basis. A total of 617 patients (71.6% men) participated. Most patients reported feeling well informed (69.3%) and reported having unchanged or improved coping (98.8%) since the start of remote monitoring. At least 39.7% of patients experienced technical problems regarding the transmitter, whereas most patients (60.3%) reported that they never noted technical issues. Older patients had significantly less interest than younger patients in using their own smartphones for data transfer (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Patients with remote follow-up of CIED reported that they felt well informed about the remote monitoring approach. Remote monitoring can support coping with their disease. With remote monitoring, patients experienced a prolongation of intervals of in-person follow-up visits, and especially younger patients would appreciate smartphone-based data transfer of their CIEDs.
Factors influencing the anti-impact performance of a “roadway rock support” system
Authors: Tang Zhi , Zuo Wenbo , Gao Ke , Cai Xiaoqiao
Published: March 2023

A mechanical model of a circular section of a tunnel roadway considering damage is established to improve the impact protection performance of the “roadway rock-support” system and provide a theoretical basis for designing coal mine impact ground pressure roadway support. The formula of the critical rock burst load of a circular roadway is derived according to the instability theory of rock burst disturbance response. The influence of mechanical properties of surrounding rock and roadway support strength on the critical rock burst load of a roadway rock-support system is studied using the control variable method. The research shows that 1) under the support condition of a roadway, with the increase of uniaxial compressive strength, softening modulus, and internal friction angle of surrounding rock, the critical rock burst load of a roadway has an increasing trend; the critical rock burst load of roadway decreases with the increase of the elastic modulus of the surrounding rock. 2) Under the condition of no support, with the increase of uniaxial compressive strength, elastic modulus, and internal friction angle of surrounding rock, the critical rock burst load of roadway tends to increase. With the decrease of the surrounding rock’s softening modulus, the critical rock burst load of the roadway decreases. When the aforementioned four kinds of surrounding rock influence factors are the same, the critical load of rock burst under the supporting condition is much larger than that under the non-supporting condition. 3) A new impact tendency index K is defined as the ratio of the softening modulus and the elastic modulus. 4) The critical load of rock burst increases approximately linearly with the increase of support stress. The critical load of a rock burst is about 400 times as large as the supporting stress. Increasing roadway support strength can greatly improve the stability of the supporting and roadway surrounding rock system, and the stability of the supporting and roadway surrounding rock system can be improved by reasonably changing the mechanical properties of the surrounding rock.
Association of maternal body composition and diet on breast milk hormones and neonatal growth during the first month of lactation
Authors: Ramiro-Cortijo David , Singh Pratibha , Herranz Carrillo Gloria , Gila-Díaz Andrea , Martín-Cabrejas María A. , Martin Camilia R. , Arribas Silvia M.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Preterm birth is associated with altered growth patterns and an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases, with breast milk (BM) being a counteracting factor. Preterm infants also show alterations in adipokines and gut hormones influencing appetite and metabolism. Since these hormones are present in BM, it is possible that their levels may equilibrate deficiencies improving infant growth. We aimed to assess 1) the BM levels of ghrelin, resistin, leptin, insulin, peptide YY, and the gastrointestinal peptide in women with preterm and term labor; 2) the relationship between BM hormones and neonatal growth; and 3) the influence of maternal body composition and diet on these BM hormones.

Methods

BM from 48 women (30 term and 18 preterm labor) was collected at days 7, 14, and 28 of lactation. Maternal body composition was evaluated by bioimpedance, and neonate anthropometric parameters were collected from medical records. The maternal dietary pattern was assessed by a 72-h dietary recall at days 7 and 28 of lactation. BM hormones were analyzed by the U-Plex Ultra-sensitive method. Data were analyzed using linear regression models. BM from women with preterm labor had lower ghrelin levels, with the other hormones being significantly higher compared to women with term delivery.

Results

In premature infants, growth was positively associated with BM ghrelin, while, in term infants, it was positively associated with insulin and negatively with peptide YY. In the first week of lactation, women with preterm labor had higher body fat compared to women with term labor. In this group, ghrelin levels were positively associated with maternal body fat and with fiber and protein intake. In women with term labor, no associations between anthropometric parameters and BM hormones were found, and fiber intake was negatively associated with peptide YY.

Discussion

Preterm labor is a factor influencing the levels of BM adipokines and gut hormones, with BM ghrelin being a relevant hormone for premature infant growth. Since ghrelin is lower in BM from women with preterm labor and the levels are associated with maternal fat storage and some dietary components, our data support the importance to monitor diet and body composition in women who gave birth prematurely to improve the BM hormonal status.
Case Report: Anastrozole as a monotherapy for pre-pubertal children with non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Authors: Liu Sandy C. , Suresh Malavika , Jaber Mutaz , Mercado Munoz Yesica , Sarafoglou Kyriakie
Published: March 2023

Most children with non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NC-CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency are asymptomatic and do not require cortisol replacement therapy unless they develop symptoms of hyperandrogenemia. The current practice is to treat symptomatic children with hydrocortisone aimed at suppressing excess adrenal androgen production irrespective of the child’s level of endogenous cortisol production. Once on hydrocortisone therapy, even children with normal cortisol production require stress dosing. Some children with NC-CAH may present with premature adrenarche, growth acceleration, and advanced bone age, but with no signs of genital virilization and normal endogenous cortisol production. In these cases, an alternative therapy to hydrocortisone treatment that does not impact the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, but targets increased estrogen production and its effects on bone maturation, could be considered. Aromatase inhibitors (AIs), which block the aromatization of androgen to estrogen, have been used off-label in men with short stature to delay bone maturation and as an adjunct therapy in children with classic CAH. The use of AI as a monotherapy for children with NC-CAH has never been reported. We present three pre-pubertal female children with a diagnosis of NC-CAH treated with anastrozole monotherapy after presenting with advanced bone age, early adrenarche, no signs of genital virilization, and normal peak cortisol in response to ACTH stimulation testing. Bone age z-scores normalized, and all three reached or exceeded their target heights. Monotherapy with anastrozole can be an effective alternative in slowing down bone maturation and improving height outcomes in children with NC-CAH and normal adrenal cortisol production.
Advances in targeted retinal photocoagulation in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Lin Zichun , Deng Aijun , Hou Ning , Gao Liyu , Zhi Xushuang
Published: March 2023

Aim

Targeted retinal photocoagulation (TRP) is an emerging laser technology for retinal targeted therapy. TRP can specifically act on unperfused retinal capillaries and retinal intermediate ischemic areas, reduce damage to tissue perfusion areas and panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) complications or adverse events. In this regard, this review discusses the treatment options, efficacy, and latest progress of TRP for diabetic retinopathy (DR) based on randomized controlled trial (RCT), meta-analysis, case review, and other existing studies.

Methods

In-depth research was conducted on articles about the proposal and development of TRP, its simple application in DR, and combined therapy. In order to review the new progress, application methods, effects, and prospects of TRP in the treatment of DR, the articles related to TRP in the databases of PubMed and Web Of Science since this century were comprehensively analyzed.

Results

TRP is effective in treating DR and may become a substitute for PRP in the future. In addition, the treatment regimen of TRP combined with intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs can also be used as a new therapeutic approach to expand the treatment regimen for the treatment of DR, and this combination therapy also has effects on other retinal vascular diseases.

Conclusions

With the advancement of technology, TRP has been continuously applied in clinical practice, and its potential benefits have opened up broad prospects for the treatment of DR. The combination therapy of TRP and anti-VEGF is expected to become a new option for patients with DR an retinal diseases.
CRELD2, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and human diseases
Authors: Tang Qin , Liu Qinhui , Li Yanping , Mo Li , He Jinhan
Published: March 2023

CRELD2, a member of the cysteine-rich epidermal growth factor-like domain (CRELD) protein family, is both an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident protein and a secretory factor. The expression and secretion of CRELD2 are dramatically induced by ER stress. CRELD2 is ubiquitously expressed in multiple tissues at different levels, suggesting its crucial and diverse roles in different tissues. Recent studies suggest that CRELD2 is associated with cartilage/bone metabolism homeostasis and pathological conditions involving ER stress such as chronic liver diseases, cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases, and cancer. Herein, we first summarize ER stress and then critically review recent advances in the knowledge of the characteristics and functions of CRELD2 in various human diseases. Furthermore, we highlight challenges and present future directions to elucidate the roles of CRELD2 in human health and disease.
Fault diagnosis of the HVDC system based on the CatBoost algorithm using knowledge graphs
Authors: Wu Jiyang , Li Qiang , Chen Qian , Zhang Nan , Mao Chizu , Yang Litai , Wang Jinyu
Published: March 2023

In order to overcome the difficulty of fault diagnosis in the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system, a fault diagnosis method based on the categorical boosting (CatBoost) algorithm is proposed in this work. To make the research conform to the actual situation, three kinds of measured fault data in the HVDC system of the Southern Power Grid are selected as the original data set. First, the core role and significance of fault diagnosis in knowledge graphs (KGs) are given, and the characteristics and specific causes of the four fault types are explained in detail. Second, the fault dates are preprocessed and divided into the training data set and the test data set, and the CatBoost algorithm is employed to train and test fault data to realize fault diagnosis. Finally, to verify the progressiveness and effectiveness of the proposed method, the diagnostic results obtained by CatBoost are compared with those obtained by the BP neural network algorithm. The results show that the diagnostic accuracy of the CatBoost algorithm in the three test sets is always higher than that of the BP neural network algorithm; the accuracy rates in the three case studies of the CatBoost algorithm are 94.74%, 100.00%, and 98.21%, respectively, which fully proves that the CatBoost algorithm has a very good fault diagnosis effect on the HVDC system.
Comparison of powdered enamel sample pretreatment methods for strontium isotope analysis
Authors: Crowley Brooke Erin , Bruff Simpson Emily Michelle , Hammer Sarah Jayne , Smith Joshua Michael , Johnson Thomas Martin
Published: March 2023

Most researchers assume minimal impact of pretreatment on strontium isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sr) for bones and teeth, and methods vary tremendously. We compared 14 pretreatment methods, including no prep other than powdering enamel, ashing, soaking in water, an oxidizing agent (bleach or hydrogen peroxide) or acetic acid (0.1 M, 1.0 M, and 1.0 M buffered with calcium acetate), and a combination of these steps. We prepared and analyzed aliquots of powdered molar enamel from three proboscideans (one modern captive Indian elephant, Elephas maximus indicus; one Pleistocene mastodon, Mammut americanum; and one Miocene gomphothere, Afrochoerodon kisumuensis). Each pretreatment was performed in triplicate and we measured 87Sr/86Sr, Sr concentration, and uranium (U) concentration, using the same lab space and instrumentation for all samples. Variability in 87Sr/86Sr and Sr and U concentrations was considerable across pretreatments. Mean 87Sr/86Sr across methods ranged from 0.70999 to 0.71029 for the modern tooth, 0.71458 to 0.71502 for the Pleistocene tooth, and 0.70804 to 0.70817 for the Miocene tooth. The modern tooth contained the least Sr and negligible U. The Pleistocene tooth contained slightly more Sr and measurable amounts of U, and the Miocene tooth had approximately 5x more Sr and U than the Pleistocene tooth. For all three teeth, variance in 87Sr/86Sr, Sr concentrations, and U concentrations among replicates was statistically indistinguishable across pretreatments, but there were apparent differences among pretreatments for the modern and Pleistocene teeth. Both contained relatively little Sr, and it is possible that small amounts of exogenous Sr from reagents, building materials or dust affected some replicates for some pretreatments. For the modern tooth, median 87Sr/86Sr varied considerably (but statistically insignificantly) across pretreatments. For the Pleistocene tooth, variability in median 87Sr/86Sr was also considerable; some pretreatments were statistically distinct but there were no obvious patterns among methods. For the Miocene tooth, variability in median 87Sr/86Sr was much smaller, but there were significant differences among pretreatments. Most pretreatments yielded 87Sr/86Sr and Sr concentrations comparable to, or lower than, untreated powder, suggesting selective removal of exogenous material with high 87Sr/86Sr. Further evaluation of the mechanisms driving isotopic variability both within and among pretreatment methods is warranted. Researchers should clearly report their methods and avoid combining data obtained using different methods. Small differences in 87Sr/86Sr could impact data interpretations, especially in areas where isotopic variability is low.
Intensified sensitivity and adaptability of zooplankton Bosminidae in subtropical shallow freshwater lakes with increasing trophic level
Authors: Cheng Longjuan , Gao Xinyuan , Wang Guangwei , Ding Zhou , Xue Bin , Zhang Can , Liu Jinliang , Jiang Qingfeng
Published: March 2023

The deterioration in lake water environments, especially increasing lake eutrophication, is prevalent all over the world, which has seriously affected the balance and stability of the internal ecosystem of lakes. In this study, modern water and sediment samples were collected from three subtropical freshwater lakes with significant differences in nutrient levels to analyze the concentration of the zooplankton Cladocera Bosminidae and its relationship with lakes’ ecological changes. The results show that the deterioration in lake water environments caused by increasing eutrophication limits the survival of most zooplankton. However, the Bosminidae shows a positive adaptability to eutrophication and high sensitivity to the changes in the lake environment. In addition, the lake eutrophication process caused by the intensification of human activities enhances the survival advantage of Bosminidae with more food sources, which is more conducive to its rapid reproduction.
Effect of lime application on soil respiration is modulated by understory vegetation in subtropical Eucalyptus L’Hér. plantations
Authors: Liu Juan , Li Rui , Xu Jianhong , Fu Shenglei , Wan Songze
Published: March 2023

Objective

Lime application and understory plant clearance are two common forest management methods employed to increase forest productivity in subtropical regions. However, the effect of these two management methods, or their combined application, on soil respiration in forest plantation settings is still not fully understood.

Methods

Here, a field experiment was conducted to determine how lime application, understory clearance, and their combined application, would impact total soil respiration (Rs), autotrophic respiration (Ra), and heterotrophic respiration (Rh) in a Chinese subtropical Eucalyptus plantation. Changes in soil microclimate and microbial community (PLFAs), as well as Eucalyptus fine root biomass were also assessed.

Results

Lime application stimulated Rh, but decreased Ra of understory vegetation (primarily Dicranopteris dichotoma), thus consequently inhibiting Rs. Understory clearance also reduced Rs, primarily due to reductions in soil PLFAs and associated Rh, and Ra of understory vegetation. Since the increase in Rh induced by lime application was greater than the decrease in Rh caused by understory clearance, the combined application of lime application and understory clearance decreased Rs primarily by reducing understory root respiration.

Conclusion

Our observations suggest that understory plants can modulate the effect of lime application on Rs, highlighting the important role of understory vegetation in regulating soil carbon cycling in subtropical Eucalyptus plantations. We concluded that the potential interactive effects should be considered in developing management practices that optimize the yield and sustainability of subtropical plantations.
Mini review: Targeting below-ground plant performance to improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in barley
Authors: Huang Claire , Butterly Clayton R. , Moody David , Pourkheirandish Mohammad
Published: March 2023

Nitrogen (N) fertilizer is one of the major inputs for grain crops including barley and its usage is increasing globally. However, N use efficiency (NUE) is low in cereal crops, leading to higher production costs, unfulfilled grain yield potential and environmental hazards. N uptake is initiated from plant root tips but a very limited number of studies have been conducted on roots relevant to NUE specifically. In this review, we used barley, the fourth most important cereal crop, as the primary study plant to investigate this topic. We first highlighted the recent progress and study gaps in genetic analysis results, primarily, the genome-wide association study (GWAS) regarding both biological and statistical considerations. In addition, different factors contributing to NUE are discussed in terms of root morphological and anatomical traits, as well as physiological mechanisms such as N transporter activities and hormonal regulation.
Menkes disease complicated by concurrent ACY1 deficiency: A case report
Authors: Mauri Alessia , Saielli Laura Assunta , Alfei Enrico , Iascone Maria , Marchetti Daniela , Cattaneo Elisa , Di Lauro Anna , Antonelli Laura , Alberti Luisella , Bonaventura Eleonora , Veggiotti Pierangelo , Spaccini Luigina , Cereda Cristina
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Menkes disease is an X‐linked recessive condition caused by mutations in the ATP7A gene, which leads to severe copper deficiency. Aminoacylase-1 deficiency is a rare inborn error of metabolism caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous variant in the ACY1 gene, characterized by increased urinary excretion of specific N-acetyl amino acids.

Case presentation: We report an infant with neurological findings such as seizures, neurodevelopmental delay and hypotonia. Metabolic screening showed low serum copper and ceruloplasmin, and increased urinary excretion of several N-acetylated amino acids. Whole-exome sequencing analysis (WES) revealed the novel de novo variant c.3642_3649dup (p.Ala1217Aspfs*2) in the ATP7A gene, leading to a diagnosis of Menkes disease, and the simultaneous presence of the homozygous ACY1 variant c.1057C>T (p.Arg353Cys) causative of Aminoacylase-1 deficiency.

Conclusion: Our patient had two rare conditions with different treatment courses but overlapping clinical features. The identified novel ATP7A mutation associated with Menkes disease expands the ATP7A gene spectrum.
Prognostic analysis of inflammatory response-related genes and biomarkers in patients with urothelial carcinoma of ureter
Authors: Chen Huaian , Liu Shuo , Li Xiujun , Wang Zhe , Zhang Chao
Published: March 2023

Ureteral urothelial carcinoma is a common urinary system tumor, accounting for 40% to 60% of all ureteral diseases. This study attempted to analyze the prognosis of patients with urothelial carcinoma, judging ureteral urothelial carcinoma by genes and biomarkers of inflammatory response. In this paper, co-expression network analysis and gene-based image fusion evaluation methods were proposed to obtain the prognosis results of patients with ureteral urothelial carcinoma. The experimental results showed that the levels of PLR and NLR increased, and the levels of HGB and HCT decreased; high PLR and high NLR levels, low HGB and low HCT levels were all risk factors affecting bladder urothelial carcinoma, and their ratios (OR) were 1.023, 1.611, 0.961, 0.859, 1.015, 1.072, 0.979, and 0.951, respectively. However, high PLR and high NLR levels were independent risk factors for bladder urothelial carcinoma, and their OR values were 1.497 and 1.071, respectively. Through biomarker diagnosis, the area under the curve, sensitivity, specificity and Youden index of hsa-mir-17, hsa-mir-93, hsa-mir-429 and hsa-mir-20a all exceeded 0.9, indicating that this is a potential diagnostic indicators. All in all, during the treatment of ureteral cancer, in order to reduce tumor recurrence, systemic therapy should be combined with ureteral cancer. In addition, this study also analyzed the prognosis of chemotherapy patients, and the results showed that immunotherapy may increase the risk of tumor cell reperfusion during chemotherapy.
Beyond energy balance regulation: The underestimated role of adipose tissues in host defense against pathogens
Authors: Barthelemy Johanna , Bogard Gemma , Wolowczuk Isabelle
Published: March 2023

Although the adipose tissue (AT) is a central metabolic organ in the regulation of whole-body energy homeostasis, it is also an important endocrine and immunological organ. As an endocrine organ, AT secretes a variety of bioactive peptides known as adipokines – some of which have inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties. As an immunological organ, AT contains a broad spectrum of innate and adaptive immune cells that have mostly been studied in the context of obesity. However, overwhelming evidence supports the notion that AT is a genuine immunological effector site, which contains all cell subsets required to induce and generate specific and effective immune responses against pathogens. Indeed, AT was reported to be an immune reservoir in the host’s response to infection, and a site of parasitic, bacterial and viral infections. In addition, besides AT’s immune cells, preadipocytes and adipocytes were shown to express innate immune receptors, and adipocytes were reported as antigen-presenting cells to regulate T-cell-mediated adaptive immunity. Here we review the current knowledge on the role of AT and AT’s immune system in host defense against pathogens. First, we will summarize the main characteristics of AT: type, distribution, function, and extraordinary plasticity. Second, we will describe the intimate contact AT has with lymph nodes and vessels, and AT immune cell composition. Finally, we will present a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the current research on the contribution of AT to host defense against pathogens, including the respiratory viruses influenza and SARS-CoV-2.