bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phytodiversity, ecological attributes and phytogeographical distribution of plants in Arang Valley, District Bajaur, a remote area in the Northwest of Pakistan
Authors: HAQ AMINUL , BADSHAH LAL , ULLAH SHARIAT , HUSSAIN WAHID , ULLAH IRSHAD , ULLAH HAFIZ , AHMAD SAYYAR
Published: November 2023

The present study reports the floristic diversity and ecological attributes of 218 plant species belonging to 77 families from the Arang Valley, Bajaur, Pakistan. Of the total species, 187 (85.78%) were dicots, 27 (12.38%) monocots, three (1.37%) pteridophytes and only one (0.46%) gymnosperm. Asteraceae with 24 species (11.01%) was found to be the largest family, followed by Lamiaceae with 18 species (8.26%), Poaceae with 16 species (7.34%), Fabaceae with 15 species (6.88%) and Rosaceae with 11 species (5.05%). The dominant life forms were therophytes (43.58%), hemicryptophytes and nanophanerophytes (13.76%) each, and geophytes (11.93%). Mesophanerophytes (11.01%) and chamaephytes (5.96%) were the least common life forms. The higher number of therophytes, followed by hemicryptophytes and nanophanerophytes, reflects the xeric nature of the vegetation. According to leaf size, the vegetation consisted of microphylls (34.4%), nanophylls (27.98%) and mesophylls (26.16%), with leptophylls (9.63%), megaphylls and macrophylls (0.46%) being the least common. Cuscuta reflexa and Periploca aphylla were the aphyllous species. In terms of habit, the vegetation consisted predominantly of herbs (73.9%), followed by shrubs (13.8%), trees (11.0%), and lianas (1.38%). Based on their life cycle, plants were primarily annuals (49.5%) or perennials (48.6%), while biennials were rare (1.83%). The phytogeographical distribution reveals that the pluri-regional elements of the Irano-Turanian, Sino-Japanese, and Mediterranean regions (29 species, 13.3%) are dominating, followed by the cosmopolitan and Hamalian elements (24 species, 11%). The next dominant bi-regional elements in the area are Irano-Turanian and Sino-Japanese (19 species, 8.72%). Further research is required in order to map the vegetation structure and threatened species that are susceptible to biotic and abiotic stresses.
Leopoldia buseana (Asparagaceae, Scilloideae), a new species from southwestern Anatolia
Authors: YILDIRIM HASAN , AKBAŞ KENAN , ÖZDÖL TUĞKAN
Published: November 2023

Leopoldia buseana Yıldırım (Asparagaceae) is described as a new species to science. It is endemic to the western Anatolia region of Türkiye. Leopoldia buseana is only known from Muğla Province. The new species is morphologically similar to L. muglaensis, L. elmasii, and L. weissii. Diagnostic morphological characters are discussed and compared with those related taxa. Leopoldia buseana is easily distinguished from related species by its distinctly longer inflorescence, the number of fertile and sterile flowers, mauve to bluish-mauve buds and early stage of fertile flowers, flat or sometimes slightly channeled and broader leaves, and the seed surface ornamentation. Diagnostic characters, a comprehensive description, photographs, and a distribution map are provided.
Three new species of Epidendrum (Orchidaceae: Laeliinae) from the cloud forests of Chota, northern Peru
Authors: GONZÁLES JAMES ALEXANDER CHAMAYA , HÁGSATER ERIC , AYALA ELIZABETH SANTIAGO , SALINAS JULIAN DUARTE , VELA GUSTAVO IBERICO
Published: November 2023

Epidendrum acuntasiorum and E. retrolobatum belonging to the Ferreyrae group, and E. bicornialpicola member to the Alpicola group are described and illustrated as new species. The three new taxa were collected in the montane cloud forest of La Palma, located in the districts of Conchán and Chota, department of Cajamarca, Peru. Information concerning distribution, habitat, and phenology is provided for each taxon. A plate and description of Epidendrum ferreyrae are included for comparison.
Myrcianthes (Myrtaceae) revisited: a new species, a new synonym, a lectotypification and an overview of its wood anatomy
Authors: PROENÇA CAROLYN ELINORE BARNES , FARIA JAIR EUSTÁQUIO QUINTINO DE , OLIVEIRA MARLA IBRAHIM UEHBE DE , STAGGEMEIER VANESSA GRAZIELE , FARIAS-CASTRO ANTÔNIO SÉRGIO , SONSIN-OLIVEIRA JÚLIA
Published: November 2023

Myrcianthes is a New World genus of Myrtaceae (Tribe Myrteae) with 38 currently accepted species that was monographed in 1992. This paper proposes a new species, Myrcianthes cruciata from Northeastern Brazil (Bahia, Ceará and Sergipe), the synonymization of M. cavalcantei under M. fragrans and the lectotypification of the former name. Myrcianthes cruciata is similar to M. pseudomato but differs in the longer peduncles, 3.5–5 cm (2–4 cm in M. pseudomato) and greater number of ovules per locule, c. 15–30 (15–20 in M. pseudomato), as well as the morphology of the embryo, which is reniform in M. cruciata and strongly invaginated in the middle (almost V-shaped) in M. pseudomato and also emerged in different lineage in the phylogeny. The wood anatomy of the new species is similar to other species of the genus: diffuse porous, with exclusively solitary vessels with high density, no vessel arrangement, with simple perforation plates, vessel-ray pits with distinct borders, similar to the intervessel pits in size and shape, apotracheal parenchyma, rays 1–3 cells wide, with disjunctive ray cells; no helical thickenings were observed in the vessels, nor any mineral inclusions in the axial or ray parenchyma.
An unexpected discovery of a new species in Alloclavaria (Rickenellaceae, Hymenochaetales) from China
Authors: DENG PENG-TAO , YAN JUN , LIU XIANG-FEN , ZHANG PING
Published: November 2023

A newly discovered fungal species associated with conifers in China, Alloclavaria orientalis, is formally described and illustrated. A molecular phylogenetic analysis of concatenated internal transcribed spacer and nuclear ribosomal RNA large subunit sequences supported the monophyly of A. orientalis as a distinct lineage within the Alloclavaria clade.
Responses of the Madden–Julian Oscillation to Global Warming: Impacts from Tropical Sea Surface Temperature Changes
Authors: Bui Hien X. , Li Yi-Xian , Zhou Wenyu , van Rensch Peter
Published: November 2023

The impacts of tropical sea surface temperature (SST) changes on the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) are investigated using the large-ensemble simulation from the Community Earth System Model version 2 (CESM2-LE) under the shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP370 scenario). Three SST change patterns are featured, distinguished by the zonal gradient of the change in the equatorial Pacific warming. MJO characteristics and its teleconnections responses are composited for the clusters, and their relationships to the zonal SST gradient changes are examined. Results show that the anomalously strong El Niño–like SST change pattern significantly intensifies the MJO amplitude and enhances its eastward extension compared to the anomalously weak El Niño–like SST change pattern. These changes in MJO amplitude are further interpreted through the α framework. We also found no statistically different extratropical geopotential height responses to MJO between the three SST warming patterns, possibly due to strong internal climate variability. Changes in Rossby wave source between clusters also show a weak relationship with the MJO teleconnections. Our results highlight the importance of Indo-Pacific zonal SST gradient changes on the changes of MJO but limited impacts on MJO teleconnections to the midlatitudes.
Diagnostic Analysis of the Response of Volume Transport through the Tsushima Strait to the Eddy-Induced Variations in the Kuroshio Region
Authors: Zheng Junyong , Guo Xinyu , Miyazawa Yasumasa , Yang Haiyan , Yang Min , Mao Xinyan , Jiang Wensheng
Published: November 2023

The Tsushima Strait (TS) is the sole passage for volume transport from the East China Sea to the Sea of Japan. To date, the process underlying the interannual variability in volume transport remains unclear. In this study, 27-yr (1993–2019) reanalysis data from the Japan Coastal Ocean Predictability Experiment 2 (JCOPE2M) system and in situ/satellite observations were employed to understand this process. The results suggest that TS transport was generally high in 1999, 2003/04, and 2010 and low in 1995/96, 2005/06, 2008, and 2014/15. The sea level anomaly (SLA) outside the entrance of the TS, that is, the upstream TS forcing, dominates the interannual TS transport variation. A high SLA pumps more water into the Sea of Japan via the TS, and vice versa. By synthesizing JCOPE2M reanalysis data and satellite observations, further analysis revealed that cyclonic mesoscale eddies from the subtropical countercurrent (STCC) could be responsible for this high SLA by reducing Kuroshio transport, enhancing Kuroshio intrusion across the shelf, and increasing the SLA around the upstream TS region. The reverse was true for anticyclonic STCC eddies. Variability in the Kuroshio intrusion southwest of Kyushu induces variations in the TS transport on an interannual time scale.
Differential expressions of FASN, SCD, and FABP4 genes in the ribeye muscle of omega-3 oil-supplemented Tattykeel Australian White lambs
Authors: Otto John Roger , Pewan Shedrach Benjamin , Edmunds Richard Crawford , Mwangi Felista Waithira , Kinobe Robert Tumwesigye , Adegboye Oyelola Abdulwasiu , Malau-Aduli Aduli Enoch Othniel
Published: November 2023

Background

The concept of the functional nutritional value of health-beneficial omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFA) is becoming a phenomenon among red meat consumers globally. This study examined the expressions of three lipogenic genes (fatty acid binding protein 4, FABP4, fatty acid synthase, FASN; and stearoyl-CoA desaturase, SCD) in the ribeye (Longissimus thoracis et lumborum) muscle of Tattykeel Australian White (TAW) lambs fed fortified omega-3 diets and correlations with fatty acids. To answer the research question, “are there differences in the expression of lipogenic genes between control, MSM whole grain and omega-3 supplemented lambs?”, we tested the hypothesis that fortification of lamb diets with omega-3 will lead to a down-regulation of lipogenic genes. Seventy-five six-month old TAW lambs were randomly allocated to the (1) omega-3 oil-fortified grain pellets, (2) unfortified grain pellets (control) or (3) unfortified MSM whole grain pellets diet supplements to generate three treatments of 25 lambs each. The feeding trial lasted 47 days.

Results

From the Kruskal-Wallis test, the results showed a striking disparity in lipogenic gene expression between the three dietary treatments in which the FABP4 gene was significantly up-regulated by 3-folds in the muscles of lambs fed MSM Milling (MSM) whole grain diet compared to the omega-3 and control diets. A negative correlation was observed between FASN gene expression and intramuscular fat (IMF), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). The FABP4 gene expression was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with EPA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Conclusion

Taken together, this study’s results suggest that FABP4 and FASN genes perform an important role in the biosynthesis of fatty acids in the ribeye muscle of TAW lambs, and supplementary diet composition is an important factor influencing their expressions.
Melatonin inhibits Japanese encephalitis virus replication and neurotoxicity via calcineurin-autophagy pathways
Authors: Moon Ji-Hong , Hong Jeong-Min , Seol Jae-Won , Park Byung-Yong , Eo Seong Kug , Park Sang-Youel
Published: November 2023

Background

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that has no specific treatment except for supportive medical care. JEV is a neurotropic virus that affects the nervous system and triggers inflammation in the brain.

Methods

Melatonin is used as a sleep-inducing agent in neurophysiology and may serve as a protective agent against neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Herein, we investigated the effects of melatonin and the critical roles of the serine/threonine protein phosphatase calcineurin during JEV infection in SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells.

Results

Melatonin treatment decreased JEV replication and JEV-mediated neurotoxicity. Calcineurin activity was increased by JEV infection and inhibited by melatonin treatment. Through calcineurin regulation, melatonin decreased the JEV-mediated neuroinflammatory response and attenuated JEV-induced autophagy.

Conclusions

Calcineurin inactivation has a protective effect in JEV-infected neuronal cells, and melatonin is a novel resource for the development of anti-JEV agents.
A random forest algorithm-based prediction model for moderate to severe acute postoperative pain after orthopedic surgery under general anesthesia
Authors: Shi Gaoxiang , Liu Geliang , Gao Qichao , Zhang Shengxiao , Wang Qi , Wu Li , He Peifeng , Yu Qi
Published: November 2023

Background

Postoperative pain is one of the most common complications after surgery. In order to detect early and intervene in time for moderate to severe postoperative pain, it is necessary to identify risk factors and construct clinical prediction models. This study aimed to identify significant risk factors and establish a better-performing model to predict moderate to severe acute postoperative pain after orthopedic surgery under general anesthesia.

Methods

Patients who underwent orthopedic surgery under general anesthesia were divided into patients with moderate to severe pain group (group P) and patients without moderate to severe pain group (group N) based on VAS scores. The features selected by Lasso regression were processed by the random forest and multivariate logistic regression models to predict pain outcomes. The classification performance of the two models was evaluated through the testing set. The area under the curves (AUC), the accuracy of the classifiers, and the classification error rate for both classifiers were calculated, the better-performing model was used to predict moderate to severe acute postoperative pain after orthopedic surgery under general anesthesia.

Results

A total of 327 patients were enrolled in this study (228 in the training set and 99 in the testing set). The incidence of moderate to severe postoperative pain was 41.3%. The random forest model revealed a classification error rate of 25.2% and an AUC of 0.810 in the testing set. The multivariate logistic regression model revealed a classification error rate of 31.3% and an AUC of 0.764 in the testing set. The random forest model was chosen for predicting clinical outcomes in this study. The risk factors with the greatest and second contribution were immobilization and duration of surgery, respectively.

Conclusions

The random forest model can be used to predict moderate to severe acute postoperative pain after orthopedic surgery under general anesthesia, which is of potential clinical application value.
Identification of functional lncRNAs in atrial fibrillation based on RNA sequencing
Authors: You Yangyang , Wang Wei , Zhu Wenshu , Xu Jian
Published: November 2023

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common arrhythmia contributing to serious conditions such as stroke and heart failure. Recent studies demonstrated that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) were related to cardiovascular disease. However, the molecular mechanisms of AF are not fully clear. This study intended to discover lncRNAs that are differentially expressed in AF compared with controls and evaluate the potential functions of these lncRNAs.

Methods

Ninety-seven patients (49 patients with AF and 48 patients without AF) were included in this study. Among these patients, leucocyte suspensions of 3 AF patients and 3 controls were sent for RNA-seq analysis to select differentially expressed lncRNA and mRNA. Different lncRNA expressions were validated in another samples (46 AF patients and 45 controls). Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis was conducted to annotate the function of selected mRNAs. Alternative splicing (AS) analysis was performed and a lncRNA-mRNA network was also constructed. The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was used to evaluate diagnostic values. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to assess the risk or protective factor of AF.

Results

A total of 223 mRNAs and 105 lncRNAs were detected in AF patients compared with controls. Total 4 lncRNAs (LINC01781, AC009509.2, AL662844.3, AL662844.4) associated with AF were picked out for validation in another samples by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), detecting that upregulated AC009509.2 and downregulated LINC01781 in AF patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis illustrated that left atrial diameter (OR 1.201; 95% CI 1.093-1.320; P=0.000) and AC009509.2 (OR 1.732; 95% CI 1.092-2.747; P=0.020) were related to AF respectively. ROC curve showed that AC009509.2, LINC01781 and left atrial diameter (LAD) were predictors of AF. For LINC01781, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.654 (95% CI 0.541-0.767, P=0.0113). For AC009509.2, the AUC was 0.710 (95% CI 0.599-0.822, P=0.0005). Bioinformatic methods (GO enrichment, AS analysis and lncRNA-mRNA network construction) were performed to reveal the role of lncRNAs.

Conclusions

This study discussed differentially expressed lncRNA and their potential interaction with mRNA in AF. LncRNA AC009509.2 could be a new potential biomarker for AF prediction.
Epigenome-wide methylation and progression to high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2+): a prospective cohort study in the United States
Authors: Bukowski Alexandra , Hoyo Cathrine , Vielot Nadja A. , Graff Misa , Kosorok Michael R. , Brewster Wendy R. , Maguire Rachel L. , Murphy Susan K. , Nedjai Belinda , Ladoukakis Efthymios , North Kari E. , Smith Jennifer S.
Published: November 2023

Background

Methylation levels may be associated with and serve as markers to predict risk of progression of precancerous cervical lesions. We conducted an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of CpG methylation and progression to high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2 +) following an abnormal screening test.

Methods

A prospective US cohort of 289 colposcopy patients with normal or CIN1 enrollment histology was assessed. Baseline cervical sample DNA was analyzed using Illumina HumanMethylation 450K (n = 76) or EPIC 850K (n = 213) arrays. Participants returned at provider-recommended intervals and were followed up to 5 years via medical records. We assessed continuous CpG M values for 9 cervical cancer-associated genes and time-to-progression to CIN2+. We estimated CpG-specific time-to-event ratios (TTER) and hazard ratios using adjusted, interval-censored Weibull accelerated failure time models. We also conducted an exploratory EWAS to identify novel CpGs with false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05.

Results

At enrollment, median age was 29.2 years; 64.0% were high-risk HPV-positive, and 54.3% were non-white. During follow-up (median 24.4 months), 15 participants progressed to CIN2+. Greater methylation levels were associated with a shorter time-to-CIN2+ for CADM1 cg03505501 (TTER = 0.28; 95%CI 0.12, 0.63; FDR = 0.03) and RARB Cluster 1 (TTER = 0.46; 95% CI 0.29, 0.71; FDR = 0.01). There was evidence of similar trends for DAPK1 cg14286732, PAX1 cg07213060, and PAX1 Cluster 1. The EWAS detected 336 novel progression-associated CpGs, including those located in CpG islands associated with genes FGF22, TOX, COL18A1, GPM6A, XAB2, TIMP2, GSPT1, NR4A2, and APBB1IP.

Conclusions

Using prospective time-to-event data, we detected associations between CADM1-, DAPK1-, PAX1-, and RARB-related CpGs and cervical disease progression, and we identified novel progression-associated CpGs.

Impact

Methylation levels at novel CpG sites may help identify individuals with ≤CIN1 histology at higher risk of progression to CIN2+ and inform risk-based cervical cancer screening guidelines.
Urgent care-seeking and injury severity for intimate partner violence during COVID-19: a Canadian retrospective chart review
Authors: Ross Alison N. , Duchesne Emma , Lewis Jane , Norman Patrick A. , Bartels Susan A. , Walker Melanie , Rocca Nicole
Published: November 2023

Background

Early reports raised alarms that intimate partner violence (IPV) increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, but initial studies showed that visits to emergency departments (EDs) decreased. This study assessed the impact of the prolonged pandemic and its associated restrictions on both rates of urgent care-seeking and injury severity for IPV.

Methods

Data from the Kingston Health Sciences Centre’s (KHSC) ED were utilized to compare IPV presentations during ‘Pre-COVID’ (December 17, 2018 – March 16, 2020) and ‘COVID’ (March 17, 2020 – June 16, 2021), as well as three periods of heightened local restrictions: ‘Lockdown-1’ (March 17 – June 12, 2020), ‘Lockdown-2’ (December 26, 2020 – February 10, 2021) and ‘Lockdown-3’ (April 8 – June 2, 2021). The primary outcomes were incidence rate of IPV visits and injury severity, which was assessed using theClinical Injury Extent Score (CIES)andInjury Severity Score (ISS).

Results

A total of 128 individuals were included. This sample had mean age of 34 years, was comprised of mostly women (97%), and represented a variety of intimate relationship types. Some individuals presented multiple times, resulting in a total of 139 acute IPV presentations. The frequency of IPV visits during COVID was similar to the Pre-COVID time period (67 vs. 72; p = 0.67). Incidence rate was 13% higher during COVID, though this difference was non-significant (6.66 vs. 5.90; p = 0.47). IPV visit frequency varied across lockdown periods (11 in Lockdown-1, 12 in Lockdown-2 and 6 in Lockdown-3), with the highest incidence rate during Lockdown-2 (12.71). There were more moderate and severe injuries during COVID compared to Pre-COVID, but mean CIES was not statistically significantly different (1.91 vs. 1.69; p = 0.29), nor was mean ISS (11.88 vs. 12.52; p = 0.73).

Conclusions

During the 15-months following the start of COVID-19, there were small, but non-significant increases in both incidence rate and severity of IPV presentations to the KHSC ED. This may reflect escalation of violence as pandemic restrictions persisted and requires further investigation.
Secular trends in the incidence of major depressive disorder and dysthymia in China from 1990 to 2019
Authors: Li Ming , Gao Wenlong , Zhang Yuqi , Luo Qiuxia , Xiang Yuanyuan , Bao Kai , Zaki Noha
Published: November 2023

Background

Depression is increasingly recognized as a worldwide serious, public health concern. A better understanding of depression is important for advancing its management and learning the difference between major depressive disorder (MDD) and dysthymia. Our aim is to conduct a concurrent analysis of the trends of both MDD and dysthymia in China.

Methods

The data on depression from 1990 to 2019 were collected from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 (GBD 2019). To determine the average annual percent changes (AAPC) and relative risks (RRs), joinpoint regression and the age-period-cohort models were employed, respectively.

Results

The incidence number of MDD and dysthymia continuously increased in China from 1990 to 2019, however, the age-standardized rates (ASR) had a decreasing trend in both men and women. The results from joinpoint regression showed that a declining trend was presented in young people (< 50 years) but an increased trend in the elderly (≥ 50 years) both in men and women, during 1990–2019. Age is the most influential factor for MDD and dysthymia. Age RRs for MDD incidence had an overall increasing trend with age. Period RR in MDD presented a U-shaped pattern, while Cohort RRs presented an inverted U-shaped pattern. On the other hand, RRs in dysthymia for period and cohort effects had no statistical significance, only the age effect presented an inverted U-shaped pattern.

Conclusions

The disparities in trends observed between MDD and dysthymia during the period of 1990–2019 indicated the significance of distinguishing between these two disorders. The age, period and cohort effects all had a greater impact on MDD than on dysthymia, and age effects presented different influential patterns in these two. To alleviate the burden of depressive disorders in China, proactive measures need to be implemented, with particular attention to the elderly population.
Do Brazilian regulatory measures promote sustainable and healthy eating in the school food environment?
Authors: Rocha Luana Lara , Cordeiro Nayhanne Gomes , Jardim Mariana Zogbi , Kurihayashi Aline Yukari , Gentil Patrícia Chaves , Russo Giorgia Castilho , Mendes Larissa Loures
Published: November 2023

Background

Regulatory measures regarding food in the school environment aim to promote a healthier food environment in public and private schools. In Brazil, implementing regulations in the school food environment does not occur the same way across states and cities, and no national regulation covers public and private schools. The present study aims to analyze regulatory measures for school food environments in Brazilian states and cities and develop a score to evaluate them.

Methods

A systematic search of the regulatory measures in force and implemented until 2021 was conducted. The score was developed based on the Model Law Project prepared by the Brazilian Institute for Consumer Protection. It considered food and nutrition education actions, restrictions on the sale and distribution of food, a ban or restriction on food advertising and marketing, and points of excellence. These points included regulations that addressed the importance of supervision and social control, laws regulated by decree, the mention of a ban on ultra-processed foods, and whether the regulatory measures covered public and private schools.

Results

Sixty-five cities and states regulatory measures in force were found to be evaluated jointly by a federal entity (n = 43). Among the federal entities evaluated, only 13.95% fulfilled the function of promoting sustainable and healthy eating (8–12 points).

Conclusions

Brazilian children and adolescents are exposed to a school food environment with regulations that partially fulfill the function of promoting an adequate, healthy, and sustainable diet. In this sense, it is necessary to improve regulatory measures or to encourage states and cities to develop effective legal provisions that are in line with the food guide for the Brazilian population and with the perspective of a healthy school food environment for the effective promotion of adequate, healthy and sustainable and healthy food in schools.
Trends in weight change patterns across life course among US adults, 1988–2018: population-based study
Authors: Sun Xingxing , Du Tingting
Published: November 2023

Background

To examine trends in weight change patterns from young adulthood through midlife to late adulthood and their sex and racial/ethnic disparities among US adults from 1988 to 2018.

Methods

A total of 48,969 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1988–1994 and 2001–2018 were included.

Results

The age-adjusted prevalence of stable non-obesity between young adulthood and midlife declined significantly from 84.1% (95 CI, 82.9-85.3%) in 1988–1994 to 68.7% (67.1-70.2%) in 2013–2018, and between midlife and late adulthood from 71.2% (69.2-73.1%) to 52.4% (50.5-54.2%). The magnitude of increase in the prevalence of weight gain from young adulthood to midlife (from 10.8% [9.9-11.6%] in 1988–1994 to 21.2% [20-22.3%] in 2013–2018; P < 0.001 for trend) was greater than that from midlife to late adulthood (from 14.1% [12.9-15.3%] to 17.2% [16.2-18.1%]; P = 0.002 for trend). The magnitude of increase in the prevalence of stable obesity from young adulthood to midlife (from 3.9% [3.1-4.8%] in 1988–1994 to 9.2% [8.2-10.3%] in 2013–2018; P < 0.001 for trend) was smaller than that from midlife to late adulthood (from 11.2% [10.1-12.2%] to 24.8% [23.3-26.3%]; P < 0.001 for trend). The declining trends in the prevalence of stable non-obesity and increasing trends in the prevalence of weight gain and stable obesity from young adulthood through midlife to late adulthood were also observed for all sex and race/ethnicity subgroups. The magnitude of decrease in the prevalence of stable non-obesity, and the magnitude of increase in the prevalence of weight gain from young adulthood through midlife to late adulthood were greater in men than in women (all P for interaction < 0.01). Weight gain patterns for those aged ≥ 65 years were substantially different from the younger age groups.

Conclusions

More young people born in later years are encountering obesity and accumulate greater obesity exposure across their lives than young people born in earlier years.
Exploring stakeholders’ experiences in co-creation initiatives for clinical nursing education: a qualitative study
Authors: Laugaland Kristin , Aase Ingunn , Ravik Monika , Gonzalez Marianne Thorsen , Akerjordet Kristin
Published: November 2023

Background

Co-creation is an emerging approach in nursing education, wherein academics engage in multi-stakeholder collaborations to generate knowledge, ideate solutions, promote sustainability, and enhance educational quality. However, knowledge on stakeholders’ experiences in participation in co-creation initiatives for nursing education is scarce. This study aimed to explore the experiences of student nurses, nurse educators, and e-learning designers in co-creation initiatives to design and develop a digital educational resource for clinical nursing education.

Methods

The study adopted an exploratory qualitative design. Data were collected via three separate semi-structured focus group interviews with student nurses (n = 7), nurse educators (n = 8), and e-learning designers (n = 3) who participated in co-creation workshops. Collected data were then thematically analyzed.

Results

Three themes related to the participants’ experiences emerged: (1) The co-creation workshops were enjoyable, useful, and instructive; (2) power imbalances influenced the students’ engagement; and (3) contextual factors influenced the participants’ overall engagement.

Conclusions

This study shows that co-creation through workshops is a novel, enjoyable, and instructive approach that facilitates knowledge exchange. It also highlights the needs and experiences of stakeholders, especially student nurses. However, the use of co-creation in nursing education presents some challenges. Recognizing and managing power differentials are essential for successful co-creation in clinical nursing education, alongside a mindset of collaboration and mutuality. Future research is required to systematize knowledge about the benefits and impacts of the processes and outcomes of co-creation initiatives, including stakeholders’ motivation, barriers, and facilitators to participation in co-creation, to improve the quality of clinical nursing education.
Usability of serum hedgehog signalling proteins as biomarkers in canine mammary carcinomas
Authors: Koo Haein , Lee Sungin , Kim Wan Hee
Published: November 2023

Background

The hedgehog signalling pathway has been implicated in tumourigenesis and progression of many tumour types. This pathway has recently emerged as a therapeutic target, and inhibitors of hedgehog signalling have gained considerable attention. In dogs, the roles of hedgehog signals in several types of tumours have been investigated, but their relationship with canine mammary gland tumours (MGTs) has not been established. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of sonic hedgehog (SHH) and glioma-associated oncogene 1 (GLI-1) in the serum and mammary tumour tissues of dogs.

Results

SHH and GLI-1 protein expression levels were significantly higher in MGT tissues than in normal mammary gland tissues, as well as in malignant MGT specimens than in benign MGT specimens. Serum levels of SHH and GLI-1 were higher in MGT patients than in healthy controls (p < .001 and .001, respectively). Serum SHH level showed a statistically significant relationship with metastatic status (p = .01), and serum GLI-1 level showed a statistically significant relationship with histologic grade (p = 0.048) and metastatic status (p = 0.007). Serum hedgehog signalling protein levels were not significantly associated with breed size, sex, tumour size, or histologic type.

Conclusions

Hedgehog signalling protein expression in canine MGT tissue and serum differed according to the histological classification (benign and malignant) and metastatic status, indicating a relationship between the hedgehog signalling pathway and canine MGT. Thus, the hedgehog signalling pathway may serve as a new biomarker and therapeutic target in canine MGT patients.
[18 F] -FAPI-42 PET/CT assessment of Progressive right ventricle fibrosis under pressure overload
Authors: Zeng Xiaohui , Zhao Ruiyue , Wu Zhixiong , Ma Zhuoji , Cen Chunxian , Gao Shanshan , Hong Wanxian , Yao Yanrong , Wen Kexin , Ding Shangwei , Wang Jian , Lu Wenju , Wang Xinlu , Wang Tao
Published: November 2023

Background

Right heart failure (RHF) is a complication of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and increases the mortality independently of the underlying disease. However, the process of RHF development and progression is not fully understood. We aimed to develop effective approaches for early diagnosis and precise evaluation of RHF.

Methods

Right ventricle (RV) pressure overload was performed via pulmonary artery banding (PAB) surgery in Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats to induce RHF. Echocardiography, right heart catheterization, histological staining, fibroblast activation protein (FAP) immunofluorescence and 18 F-labelled FAP inhibitor-42 ([18 F] -FAPI-42) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) were performed at day 3, week 1, 2, 4 and 8 after PAB. RNA sequencing was performed to explore molecular alterations between PAB and sham group at week 2 and week 4 after PAB respectively.

Results

RV hemodynamic disorders were aggravated, and RV function was declined based on right heart catheterization and echocardiography at week 2, 4 and 8 after PAB. Progressive cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis and capillary rarefaction could be observed in RV from 2 to 8 weeks after PAB. RNA sequencing indicated 80 upregulated genes and 43 downregulated genes in the RV at both week 2 and week 4 after PAB; Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed that fibrosis as the most significant biological process in the RV under pressure overload. Immunofluorescence indicated that FAP was upregulated in the RV from week 2 to week 8 after PAB; and [18 F] -FAPI-42 PET/CT revealed FAPI uptake was significantly higher in RV at week 2 and further increased at week 4 and 8 after PAB.

Conclusion

RV function is progressively declined with fibrosis as the most prominent molecular change after pressure overload, and [18 F] -FAPI-42 PET/CT is as sensitive and accurate as histopathology in RV fibrosis evaluation.
Trend and heterogeneity in forced vital capacity among Chinese students during 1985–2019: results from Chinese National Survey on Students’ Constitution and Health
Authors: Zhang Siying , Wu Lihong , Zhong Yumei , Shao Meirou , Wei Zhiyi , Dong Wenfeng , Zhu Aiping , Tao Fang-biao , Wu Xiulong
Published: November 2023

Background

Forced vital capacity (FVC) reflects respiratory health, but the long-term trend and heterogeneity in FVC of Chinese students were understudied.

Methods

Data were from Chinese National Survey on Students’ Constitution and Health 1985–2019. Super Imposition by Translation and Rotation model was used to draw FVC growth curves. Sex-, region-, and nationality-heterogeneity in FVC was evaluated. Spearman correlation and generalized additive model was used to reveal influencing factors for FVC.

Results

Compared to 1985, age at peak FVC velocity was 1.09, 3.17, 0.74, and 1.87 years earlier for urban male, urban female, rural male, and rural female in 2019, respectively. Peak FVC velocity first decreased and then increased during 1985–2019, only male rebounded to larger than 1985 level. FVC declined from 1985 to 2005 and then raised. Males consistently had higher FVC than females, with disparities increasing in the 13–15 age group. Urban students also had higher FVC than rural students. In 2019, FVC difference between 30 Chinese provinces and the national average showed four scenarios: consistently above national average; less than national average until age 18, then above; greater than national average until age 18, then this advantage reversed; less than national average in almost all the age. Most Chinese ethnic minority students had lower FVC levels compared to Han students. Spearman correlation and generalized additive model showed that age, sex, and height were the leading influencing factors of FVC, followed by socioeconomic and environmental factors.

Conclusions

Chinese students experienced advanced FVC spurt, and there was sex-, region- and nationality-heterogeneity in FVC. Routine measurement of FVC is necessary in less developed areas of China.
Mycosynthesis of silver nanoparticles from endophytic Aspergillus flavipes AUMC 15772: ovat-statistical optimization, characterization and biological activities
Authors: EL-Zawawy Nessma A. , Abou-Zeid Alaa M. , Beltagy Doha M. , Hantera Nada H. , Nouh Hoda S.
Published: November 2023

Background

Mycosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) offers a safe, eco-friendly, and promising alternative technique for large-scale manufacturing. Our study might be the first report that uses mycelial filtrate of an endophytic fungus, Aspergillus flavipes, for SNPs production under optimal conditions as an antimicrobial agent against clinical multidrug-resistant (MDR) wound pathogens.

Results

In the present study, among four different endophytic fungi isolated from leaves of Lycium shawii, the only one isolate that has the ability to mycosynthesize SNPs has been identified for the first time as Aspergillus flavipes AUMC 15772 and deposited in Genebank under the accession number OP521771. One variable at a time (OVAT) and Plackett Burman design (PBD) were conducted for enhancing the production of mycosynthesized SNPs (Myco-SNPs) through optimization using five independent variables. The overall optimal variables for increasing the mycosynthesis of SNPs from mycelial filtrate of A. flavipes as a novel endophytic fungus were a silver nitrate concentration of 2 mM, a pH of 7.0, an incubation time of 5 days, and a mycelial filtrate concentration of 30% in dark conditions. UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray spectroscopy (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Selected-Area Electron Diffraction (SAED) patterns were used to characterize Myco-SNPs, which showed the peak of absorbance at 420 nm, and FTIR showed the bands at 3426.44, 2923.30, 1681.85, 1552.64, and 1023.02 cm-1, respectively, which illustrated the presence of polyphenols, hydroxyl, alkene, nitro compounds, and aliphatic amines, respectively. The XRD pattern revealed the formation of Myco-SNPs with good crystal quality at 2θ = 34.23° and 38.18°. The TEM image and SAED pattern show the spherical crystalline shape of Myco-SNPs with an average size of 6.9232 nm. High antibacterial activity of Myco-SNPs was recorded against MDR wound pathogens as studied by minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 8 to 32 µg/mL, time kill kinetics, and post-agent effects. Also, in vitro cell tests indicated that Myco-SNPs support the cell viability of human skin fibroblast cells as a nontoxic compound.

Conclusion

The obtained results revealed the successful production of Myco-SNPs using the mycelial filtrate of A. flavipes, which may be a promising nontoxic alternative candidate for combating MDR wound pathogens.
Neoadjuvant PD-1/PD-L1 combined with CTLA-4 inhibitors for solid malignancies: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Huang Shuang , Zheng Gang , Yang Kai
Published: November 2023

Background

The effectiveness and safety of neoadjuvant PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors combined with CTLA-4 inhibitors is controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors combined with CTLA-4 inhibitors as neoadjuvant therapy for malignant solid tumors.

Methods

This study has been registered with the number CRD42023407275 on PROSPERO. Systematic searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases until March 17, 2023. In addition, manual searches were performed. The inclusion criteria encompassed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the utilization of neoadjuvant PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors combined with CTLA-4 inhibitors PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors for patients with solid malignancies. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias in randomized trials (ROB1) were used. Risk ratios (RRs), hazared ratios (HRs) and their respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated using Stata17.0 MP and Review Manager 5.4 software.

Results

A total of 2780 records were identified, and ultimately 10 studies involving 273 patients were included. The meta-analysis showed that the addition of CTLA-4 inhibitors to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors did not demonstrate a significant effect on overall response rate, main pathological response, pathological complete response, surgical resection, radical resection, overall survival, progression-free survival, recurrence-free survival, grade 3–4 adverse events, all-cause mortality, and completed treatment (P > 0.05). However, further subgroup analysis indicated that the combination of PD-1 with CTLA-4 inhibitors significantly increased the occurrence of grade 3–4 adverse events in patients (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

As neoadjuvant therapy for malignant solid tumors, the addition of CTLA-4 inhibitors to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors does not appear to enhance efficacy.Moreover, there is a potential increase in the risk of grade 3–4 adverse events associated with this combination. However, it is important to note that the studies included in this analysis suffer from limitations such as small samples and single-center designs, which are inherent constrains with the available published literature. Further research involving large-sample and multicenter RCTs are warranted to obtain more reliable results.
Subcellular trafficking and transcytosis efficacy of different receptor types for therapeutic antibody delivery at the blood‒brain barrier
Authors: Holst Mikkel Roland , de Wit Nienke Marije , Ozgür Burak , Brachner Andreas , Hyldig Kathrine , Appelt-Menzel Antje , Sleven Hannah , Cader Zameel , de Vries Helga Eveline , Neuhaus Winfried , Jensen Allan , Brodin Birger , Nielsen Morten Schallburg
Published: November 2023

Here, we report an experimental setup to benchmark different receptors for targeted therapeutic antibody delivery at the blood–brain barrier. We used brain capillary endothelial-like cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-BECs) as a model system and compared them to colon epithelial Caco-2 cells. This approach helped to identify favourable receptors for transport into the cell layer itself or for directing transport for transcytosis across the cell layer. The sorting receptors transferrin receptor and sortilin were shown to be efficient as antibody cargo receptors for intracellular delivery to the cell layer. In contrast, the cell surface receptors CD133 and podocalyxin were identified as static and inefficient receptors for delivering cargo antibodies. Similar to in vivo studies, the hiPSC-BECs maintained detectable transcytotic transport via transferrin receptor, while transcytosis was restricted using sortilin as a cargo receptor. Based on these findings, we propose the application of sortilin as a cargo receptor for delivering therapeutic antibodies into the brain microvascular endothelium.

Graphical Abstract
Clinical outcomes during and beyond different COVID-19 critical illness variant periods compared with other lower respiratory tract infections
Authors: Hedberg Pontus , Baltzer Nicholas , Granath Fredrik , Fored Michael , Mårtensson Johan , Nauclér Pontus
Published: November 2023

Background

It is yet to be better understood how outcomes during and after the critical illness potentially differ between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants from other lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs). We aimed to compare outcomes in adults admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the Wild-type, Alpha, Delta, and Omicron periods with individuals admitted with other LRTI.

Methods

Population-based cohort study in Stockholm, Sweden, using health registries with high coverage, including ICU-admitted adults from 1 January 2016 to 15 September 2022. Outcomes were in-hospital mortality, 180-day post-discharge mortality, 180-day hospital readmission, 180-day days alive and at home (DAAH), and incident diagnoses registered during follow-up.

Results

The number of ICU admitted individuals were 1421 Wild-type, 551 Alpha, 190 Delta, 223 Omicron, and 2380 LRTI. In-hospital mortality ranged from 28% (n = 665) in the LRTI cohort to 35% (n = 77) in the Delta cohort. The adjusted cause-specific hazard ratio (CSHR) compared with the LRTI cohort was 1.33 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16–1.53) in the Wild-type cohort, 1.53 (1.28–1.82) in the Alpha cohort, 1.70 (1.30–2.24) in the Delta cohort, and 1.59 (1.24–2.02) in the Omicron cohort. Among patients discharged alive from their COVID-19 hospitalization, the post-discharge mortality rates were lower (1–3%) compared with the LRTI cohort (9%), and the risk of hospital readmission was lower (CSHRs ranging from 0.42 to 0.68). Moreover, all COVID-19 cohorts had compared with the LRTI cohort more DAAH after compared with before the critical illness.

Conclusion

Overall, COVID-19 critical was associated with an increased hazard of in-hospital mortality, but among those discharged alive from the hospital, less severe long-term outcomes were observed compared with other LRTIs.
Quantification of evolved DNA-editing enzymes at scale with DEQSeq
Authors: Schmitt Lukas Theo , Schneider Aksana , Posorski Jonas , Lansing Felix , Jelicic Milica , Jain Manavi , Sayed Shady , Buchholz Frank , Sürün Duran
Published: November 2023

We introduce DEQSeq, a nanopore sequencing approach that rationalizes the selection of favorable genome editing enzymes from directed molecular evolution experiments. With the ability to capture full-length sequences, editing efficiencies, and specificities from thousands of evolved enzymes simultaneously, DEQSeq streamlines the process of identifying the most valuable variants for further study and application. We apply DEQSeq to evolved libraries of Cas12f-ABEs and designer-recombinases, identifying variants with improved properties for future applications. Our results demonstrate that DEQSeq is a powerful tool for accelerating enzyme discovery and advancing genome editing research.
Channel state information-based wireless localization by signal reconstruction
Authors: Hu Yunbing , Peng Ao , Li Shenghong , Tang Biyu , Ni Wei , Lu Xianzhi , Tang Jianguo
Published: November 2023

Wireless localization technology has been widely used in indoor and outdoor fields. Channel estimation based on channel state information is a hot research topic in recent years. However, due to the interference of acquisition bandwidth, noise and Doppler effect, high-resolution channel estimation is a difficult problem. In this paper, the least squares estimate the amplitude of the signal subspace projection and estimate the time delay, using wireless channel state information to delay obey exponential distribution and magnitude obey normal distribution features, and reconstruction after the signal space and sampling to the Euclidean distance between the signal space, common as gradient optimization parameters, estimate the arrival time delay of high precision. The algorithm proposed in this paper filters out the noise interference in wireless communication and improves the accuracy of channel estimation through the method of least square and gradient optimization, which provides a feasible scheme for indoor wireless localization.