bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case report: Congenital mitral and tricuspid valve insufficiency in a patient with Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome
Authors: Feng Jingwei , Wang Yingjiao , Cheng Shiyu , Liu Zishuo , Lan Ling , Miao Qi , Zhang Chaoji
Published: September 2022

Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome (ARS) is an autosomal dominant disorder that is primarily due to disruption of the development of neural crest cells. The onset of associated symptoms in both eyes accompanied by extraocular developmental defects is referred to as ARS. Cardiac defects associated with ARS have been reported, but the extent of the cardiac defects has yet to be defined. We report a case of a 17-year-old girl with ARS with typical facial malformations and severe mitral and tricuspid valve insufficiency. The patient was diagnosed with secondary glaucoma detected on ophthalmologic examination. Echocardiography showed severe mitral and tricuspid valve insufficiency. This case provides further evidence of the association of ARS with cardiac malformations and extends the reported range of cardiac malformations in patients with ARS.
Cardiac aging synthesis from cross-sectional data with conditional generative adversarial networks
Authors: Campello Víctor M. , Xia Tian , Liu Xiao , Sanchez Pedro , Martín-Isla Carlos , Petersen Steffen E. , Seguí Santi , Tsaftaris Sotirios A. , Lekadir Karim
Published: September 2022

Age has important implications for health, and understanding how age manifests in the human body is the first step for a potential intervention. This becomes especially important for cardiac health, since age is the main risk factor for development of cardiovascular disease. Data-driven modeling of age progression has been conducted successfully in diverse applications such as face or brain aging. While longitudinal data is the preferred option for training deep learning models, collecting such a dataset is usually very costly, especially in medical imaging. In this work, a conditional generative adversarial network is proposed to synthesize older and younger versions of a heart scan by using only cross-sectional data. We train our model with more than 14,000 different scans from the UK Biobank. The induced modifications focused mainly on the interventricular septum and the aorta, which is consistent with the existing literature in cardiac aging. We evaluate the results by measuring image quality, the mean absolute error for predicted age using a pre-trained regressor, and demonstrate the application of synthetic data for counter-balancing biased datasets. The results suggest that the proposed approach is able to model realistic changes in the heart using only cross-sectional data and that these data can be used to correct age bias in a dataset.
Assessing the validity of digital health literacy instrument for secondary school students in Ghana: The polychoric factor analytic approach
Authors: Agormedah Edmond Kwesi , Quansah Frank , Ankomah Francis , Hagan John Elvis , Srem-Sai Medina , Abieraba Richard Samuel Kwadwo , Frimpong James Boadu , Schack Thomas
Published: September 2022

The emergence of the coronavirus pandemic resulted in the heightened need for digital health literacy among the youth of school-going age. Despite the relevance of digital health literacy among the general public (including students), it appears the measurement of digital health literacy is still a challenge among researchers. Recently, Dadackinski and colleagues adapted existing digital health literacy measures to fit the COVID-19 situation. Since this development, the instrument has been widely used with few validation studies with none in Africa and specifically, in Ghana. The purpose of the study was to assess the validity of the digital health literacy instrument (DHLI) for secondary school students in Ghana using the polychoric factor analysis. We sampled 1,392 students from secondary schools in Ghana. The digital health literacy instrument was administered to the respondents, thereof. The study confirmed the four latent structure of the DHLI. Further, sufficient validity evidence was found regarding the construct validity of the DHLI. The findings from the study support the validity of the DHLI and its utility within the Ghanaian context. With the growing need for digital health literacy among younger people globally, the DHLI provides sufficient grounds for scaling them based on their level of literacy. There is a need for the instrument to be adapted and re-validated in Ghana and among different populations to widen its reproducibility.
Characteristics and prediction of permian tight glutenite reservoirs in dinan 15 well block, junggar basin
Authors: Wei Xin , Sun Xinming , Yuan Xuejiao , Yang Yiming
Published: September 2022

Glutenite reservoirs are characterized by rapid lateral change, strong heterogeneity, and complex main controlling factors. This research aims to identify macro and micro characteristics of glutenite reservoirs and establish criteria for identifying favorable reservoirs studies. To this end, the tight sandy conglomerate of the Upper Wuerhe Formation in the Permian Upper Wuerhe Formation in the Dinan 15 well area of the eastern slope of the Dongdaohaizi sag in the Junggar Basin is studied. The core observation, physical property analysis, sensitivity analysis, casting thin section, scanning electron microscope and logging data are adopted to comprehensively analyze the characteristics of glutenite reservoirs. By integrating various reservoir characteristic parameters, this work constructed a new set of reservoir evaluation criteria to predict favorable areas for the Upper Wuerhe Formation in Dongdaohaizi Sag. The results show that the lithology of the Upper Wuerhe Formation in the Dinan 15 well area is dominated by gray glutenite; the reservoir is an ultra-low porosity and ultra-low permeability reservoir with moderately weak water sensitivity and weak velocity sensitivity. The reservoir space types of the layers are mainly intergranular pores; the shape of the mercury intrusion curve and the pore throat radius distribution of the samples show that the reservoir is skewed, poorly sorted, and has the characteristics of small pores and thin throats. This work constructed evaluation criteria for reservoirs from I to III by utilizing lithology, physical properties, sensitivity, reservoir space type, and microstructural characteristics as key parameters. The favorable reservoir distribution area is mainly located in the west of the block, which is the focus of the next exploration of the Upper Wuerhe Formation area. The research results improved understanding of glutenite reservoir characteristics and will serve as significant guidance for the oil and gas exploration in the Dinan 15 well area.
Pore structure characterization for coal measure shales of the Xiashihezi Formation in the Sunan Syncline block, southern North China basin
Authors: Wang Qian , Su Xianbo , Jin Yi , Chen Peihong , Zhao Weizhong , Yu Shiyao
Published: September 2022

To characterize the coal measure shale pore structure of the Xiashihezi Formation in the Sunan Syncline block, a series of experiments were conducted. Results show that the main components of the shales are clay minerals and quartz, and organic matter, fluid escaping, interlayer, intercrystalline and interparticle pores are well-developed. The shale pore specific surface area (SSA) is concentrated in the pores with the size of <50 nm and is significantly higher in the pores with the size of < 5 nm, indicating that these pores have an important effect on gas adsorption. The shale pore volume is mainly concentrated near the pore size of 10 nm, followed by 10,000–100,000 nm, indicating that in addition to the fractures, the matrix pores with a size of about 10 nm contribute the most to pore volume and free gas accumulation. The volume and SSA of the micropore, small pore, and mesopore increase with the TOC content when it is lower than 6%, leading to higher porosity and total pore SSA of the shales. However, this positive correlation disappears under the compaction effect when the TOC content is higher than 6%. The clay mineral content has negative correlations with the volume and SSA of the mesopore and macropore under the compaction and pore blockage effects, but it correlates poorly with those of the micropore and small pore, causing a decrease in the shale porosity as it increases, while the brittle mineral can promote mesopore and macropore development and is conducive to micropore and small pore maintenance when its content is higher than 45%. As a result, the shale porosity tends to increase with the brittle mineral content. This study is helpful in clarifying the coal measure shale gas enrichment law in the block and in providing fundamental support for coal measure gas efficient development.
Research on the gas migration trend and mechanism of the transition flow regime in coal based on MRT-LBM simulation
Authors: Liu Yanwei , Jia Haojie , Han Hongkai , Zuo Weiqin , Shi Jin , Chang Ping , Miao Jian , He Yanyan , Peng Jie
Published: September 2022

In order to reveal the process and mechanism of gas flow in a low-permeability coal seam, a new multiple-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann method (MRT-LBM) model of gas migration in coal micro/nanopores based on Langmuir monolayer adsorption theory, the slip boundary scheme and Bosanquet effective viscosity was established. The software MATLAB was used to carry out the simulation study of uniform pore gas flow based on the MRT-LBM model, and the results were compared and verified with the porous anodic alumina membrane gas flow experimental results. On this basis, the gas flow in coal pores with different micro/nanopore sizes considering adsorption was simulated. The results show that the dimensionless permeability coefficient increases with decreasing pore size under the same pressure, which reflects the subsequent enhancement of the microboundary constraint effect and reveals that the pore system becomes the main controlling factor of coal seam permeability within the coal matrix in the middle and late stages of coal seam gas extraction, while the role of the microboundary constraint effect needs to be considered. The gas adsorption layer weakens the pore gas flow capacity, but for pores with a radius greater than 16 nm, the apparent change in permeability caused by the adsorption layer is less than 5%, and the adsorption effect can be ignored. N2, CH4, and CO2 enter the transition flow regime under different pressure conditions; with gas extraction, the gas pressure decreases, and the difference in the gas flow characteristics of the three gases increases.
A multi-decadal analysis of river discharge and suspended sediment load in three Texas coastal rivers in relation to hurricanes, seasonal rainfall, and ENSO
Authors: Yao Qiang , Joshi Sanjeev , Liu Kam-Biu , Rodrigues Erika , Yin Dongxiao
Published: September 2022

Coastal river discharge and sediment load exert major influence on the sustainability of coastal systems. Controlled by various hydroclimatic/hydrometeorological agents, they exhibit distinct trend/variability at different time scales. Coastal Texas, while being a major target for tropical cyclones over the past 6 decades, has been experiencing drought and flood cycles associated with ENSO in the long term. However, it is still unclear the temporal variability of river discharge and the associated sediment delivery over this area at different time scales, and the controlling factors behind it. In this study, a 58-years (1960–2017) dataset is compiled to analyze the influence of ENSO, seasonal rainfall distribution and hurricanes event on the river discharge and suspended sediment load of three Texas coastal rivers-the San Bernard River, the Brazos River, and the Trinity River, at annual, seasonal and event scales, respectively. In the short-term, all three rivers attained the highest average daily discharge and sediment load during Hurricane Harvey. On a seasonal scale, the precipitation regime exerts more influence on the Texas watersheds than tropical storms and hurricanes. Over a multi-decadal scale, amplified rainstorms during the El Niño phases likely play an important role in the overall discharge and sediment transport in large rivers along the northern Gulf coast. Overall, it is reasonable to conclude that the magnitude of hurricane impacts on the overall discharge and suspended sediment load is regulated by the duration and intensity of the rainfall, as well as the coupled drought-flood cycle in relation to the intensity of ENSO.
Feasibility analysis of early warning of sea fog within six hours for two harbors in the South China Sea
Authors: Zhou Mingsen , Huang Huijun , Lao Hanqiong , Cai Jingjiu , Wu Deping , Zhang Xinxin
Published: September 2022

Sea fog significantly impacts harbor operations, at times even causing navigation to cease. This study examines two harbors in the north of the South China Sea, analyzing the feasibility of increasing each harbor’s sea fog early warning capability to 6 h in advance. Although the harbors are separated by only about 100 km, analysis of their backward trajectories reveals differences in the incoming flow and sea fog types. Concerning the types, at Xuwen harbor, warm advection fog represents 49.56% of the cases, cold advection representing 48.03%. At Zhanjiang harbor, 37.06% are warm advection fog, with 58.33% cold advection fog cases. We propose different monitoring and early warning schemes for the harbors. For Xuwen, we suggest eight visibility lidars located on the north and south sides of Qiongzhou Strait (two on the north, six on the south). Here, such a setup would give warning probabilities of sea fog of 87.50, 66.23, and 49.78% for advance times of 2, 3, and 4 h. For Zhanjiang, we suggest two visibility lidars and four buoys at the east side of the harbor. The corresponding warning probabilities are 83.77, 64.47, and 47.15% for the same advance times. For 5–6 h in advance, the early warning probabilities of both harbors drop quickly. We also suggest a flow chart for the early warning and monitoring scheme at each harbor.
The beneficial metabolic actions of prolactin
Authors: Macotela Yazmín , Ruiz-Herrera Xarubet , Vázquez-Carrillo Dina I. , Ramírez-Hernandez Gabriela , Martínez de la Escalera Gonzalo , Clapp Carmen
Published: September 2022

The role of prolactin (PRL) favoring metabolic homeostasis is supported by multiple preclinical and clinical studies. PRL levels are key to explaining the direction of its actions. In contrast with the negative outcomes associated with very high (>100 μg/L) and very low (<7 μg/L) PRL levels, moderately high PRL levels, both within but also above the classically considered physiological range are beneficial for metabolism and have been defined as HomeoFIT-PRL. In animal models, HomeoFIT-PRL levels counteract insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, adipose tissue hypertrophy and fatty liver; and in humans associate with reduced prevalence of insulin resistance, fatty liver, glucose intolerance, metabolic syndrome, reduced adipocyte hypertrophy, and protection from type 2 diabetes development. The beneficial actions of PRL can be explained by its positive effects on main metabolic organs including the pancreas, liver, adipose tissue, and hypothalamus. Here, we briefly review work supporting PRL as a promoter of metabolic homeostasis in rodents and humans, the PRL levels associated with metabolic protection, and the proposed mechanisms involved. Finally, we discuss the possibility of using drugs elevating PRL for the treatment of metabolic diseases.
Fluorescence imaging of beta cell primary cilia
Authors: Li Zipeng A. , Cho Jung Hoon , Woodhams Louis G. , Hughes Jing W.
Published: September 2022

Primary cilia are slender cell-surface organelles that project into the intercellular space. In pancreatic beta cells, primary cilia coordinate a variety of cell responses including GPCR signaling, calcium influx, and insulin secretion, along with likely many underappreciated roles in islet development and differentiation. To study cilia function in islet biology, direct visualization of primary cilia by microscopic methods is often a necessary first step. Ciliary abundance, distribution, and morphology are heterogeneous among islet cells and are best visualized by fluorescence microscopy, the tools for which are readily accessible to most researchers. Here we present a collection of fluorescence imaging methods that we have adopted and optimized for the observation of primary cilia in mouse and human islets. These include conventional confocal microscopy using fixed islets and pancreas sections, live-cell imaging with cilia-targeted biosensors and probes, cilia motion recordings, and quantitative analysis of primary cilia waveform in the ex vivo environment. We discuss practical considerations and limitations of our approaches as well as new tools on the horizon to facilitate the observation of primary cilia in pancreatic islets.
Oxidative stress-mediated beta cell death and dysfunction as a target for diabetes management
Authors: Dinić Svetlana , Arambašić Jovanović Jelena , Uskoković Aleksandra , Mihailović Mirjana , Grdović Nevena , Tolić Anja , Rajić Jovana , Đorđević Marija , Vidaković Melita
Published: September 2022

The biggest drawback of a current diabetes therapy is the treatment of the consequences not the cause of the disease. Regardless of the diabetes type, preservation and recovery of functional pancreatic beta cells stands as the biggest challenge in the treatment of diabetes. Free radicals and oxidative stress are among the major mediators of autoimmune destruction of beta cells in type 1 diabetes (T1D) or beta cell malfunction and death provoked by glucotoxicity and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Additionally, oxidative stress reduces functionality of beta cells in T2D by stimulating their de-/trans-differentiation through the loss of transcription factors critical for beta cell development, maturity and regeneration. This review summarizes up to date clarified redox-related mechanisms involved in regulating beta cell identity and death, underlining similarities and differences between T1D and T2D. The protective effects of natural antioxidants on the oxidative stress-induced beta cell failure were also discussed. Considering that oxidative stress affects epigenetic regulatory mechanisms involved in the regulation of pancreatic beta cell survival and insulin secretion, this review highlighted huge potential of epigenetic therapy. Special attention was paid on application of the state-of-the-art CRISPR/Cas9 technology, based on targeted epigenome editing with the purpose of changing the differentiation state of different cell types, making them insulin-producing with ability to attenuate diabetes. Clarification of the above-mentioned mechanisms could provide better insight into diabetes etiology and pathogenesis, which would allow development of novel, potentially more efficient therapeutic strategies for the prevention or reversion of beta cell loss.
Plasma tissue factor coagulation activity in post-acute myocardial infarction patients
Authors: Lim Xiong Chang , Yatim Siti Maryam J. M. , Chong Suet Yen , Wang Xiaoyuan , Tan Sock Hwee , Yang Xiaoxun , Chan Siew Pang , Richards A Mark , Charles Chris J. , Chan Mark Y. , Wang Jiong-Wei
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Coagulation is involved in fibroproliferative responses following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Left ventricular (LV) remodeling following AMI is closely associated with progression to heart failure. This study aims to assess the association between plasma tissue factor activity and LV remodeling in post-AMI patients.

Methods

We studied 228 patients with AMI and 57 healthy subjects. Patients with AMI were categorized into two age- and sex-matched groups: patients with adverse LV remodeling or reverse LV remodeling, defined by an increase or decrease, respectively, in LV end systolic volume by ≥15% over 6 months. TF activity was measured in plasma collected at baseline (within 72 hours of revascularization), 1 month and 6 months post-AMI. Multiple level longitudinal data analysis with structural equation (ML-SEM) model was used to assess the impact of various clinical variables on TF activity in post-AMI.

Results

Plasma TF activity in post-AMI patients at baseline (29.05 ± 10.75 pM) was similar to that in healthy subjects but fell at 1 month (21.78 ± 8.23, p<0.001) with partial recovery by 6 months (25.84 ± 8.80, p<0.001) after AMI. Plasma TF activity at 6 month post-AMI was better restored in patients with reverse LV remodeling than those with adverse LV remodeling (27.35 ± 7.14 vs 24.34 ± 9.99; p=0.009) independent of gender, age and relevant cardiovascular risk factors.

Conclusions

Plasma TF activity decreased after AMI but was better restored at 6 months in patients with reverse LV remodeling. The clinical significance of changes in post-AMI plasma TF activity needs further investigation.
GnRH-agonist pretreatment in hormone replacement therapy improves pregnancy outcomes in women with male-factor infertility
Authors: Yu Juanjuan , Chen Peiqin , Luo Yifan , Lv Mu , Lou Liqun , Xiao Qimeng , Wang Luxia , Chen Juan , Bai Mingzhu , Zhang Zhenbo
Published: September 2022

Objective

This study aimed to examine the efficacy of HRT with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) pre-treatment in women with male-factor infertility who underwent a frozen embryo transfer (FET) programme.

Design

Between January 2016 and October 2020, 2733 women with male-factor infertility who underwent the HRT protocol as the endometrial preparation method were enrolled at two Reproductive Medicine Centres. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether they had GnRH-a pre-treatment before HRTs: the GnRHa-HRT group and the HRT group. The inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) method was conducted to balance patient baseline characteristics between treatment cohorts to reduce selection bias. The live birth rate was considered regarded as the primary pregnancy outcome.

Results

Multivariate logistic regression adjusted for confounding factors, the GnRHa-HRT group showed a notably higher rate of live birth (OR 2.154, 95% CI 1.636~2.835, P<0.001) when compared to the HRT group. Additionally, the rate of miscarriage was significantly lower in the GnRHa-HRT group. The GnRHa-HRT group had significantly higher rates of biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, multiple pregnancy, and term birth.

Conclusion

The endometrial preparation protocol of HRT with GnRH-a pre-treatment could obviously increase the live birth rate for women with male-factor infertility undergoing the FET programme.
Day-3-embryo fragmentation is associated with singleton birth weight following fresh single blastocyst transfer: A retrospective study
Authors: Cai Jiali , Liu Lanlan , Chen Jinghua , Liu Zhenfang , Jiang Xiaoming , Chen Haixiao , Ren Jianzhi
Published: September 2022

Background

Previous studies have arguably associated poor embryo morphology with low birth weight in singletons following single embryo transfer. However, the association between birth weight and specific morphological features in the cleavage stage remains less known. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether morphological features of embryos at the cleavage stage affect birth weight following blastocyst transfer.

Methods

The single-center retrospective cohort study included 4,226 singletons derived from fresh single cleavage-stage embryo transfer (ET; n = 1,185), fresh single blastocyst transfer (BT; n = 787), or frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer (FBT; n = 2,254) between 2016 and 2019. Morphological parameters including early cleavage, day-3 fragmentation, symmetry, blastomere number, and blastocyst morphology were associated with neonatal birth weight and birth weight z-score in multivariate regression models. The models were adjusted for maternal age, body mass index (BMI), parity, peak estradiol level, endometrial thickness, insemination protocol, female etiologies, order of transfer, mode of delivery, and year of treatment.

Results

Adjusted for confounders, day-3 fragmentation was the only morphological feature associated with birth weight and birth weight z-score, while early cleavage, symmetry, blastomere number, and blastocyst morphology were not. Day-3 fragmentation increased the birth weight in both the ET (115.4 g, 95% CI: 26.6–204.2) and BT groups (168.8 g, 95% CI: 48.8–288.8) but not in the FBT group (7.47 g, 95% CI: -46.4 to 61.3). The associations between birth weight and these morphological parameters were confirmed through birth weight z-score analyses. The adjusted odds of large for gestational age (LGA) and high birth weight were also significantly greater in singletons following the transfer of fragmented embryos in the BT group [odds ratio (OR) 3, 95% CI: 1.2–7.51 and OR 3.65, 95% CI: 1.33–10, respectively]. The presence of fragmentation at the cleavage stage also affected the association between the blastocyst morphology and birth weight. Inner cell mass grades were negatively associated with birth weight in blastocysts with day-3 fragmentation but not in blastocysts without.

Conclusions

The birth weight following blastocyst transfer was found to be positively associated with fragmentation at the cleavage stage. The data did not support the argument that transferring a poor-looking embryo may increase the risks of low birth weight. However, concerns for LGA infants remain.
The role of lipid traits in mediating the effect of body mass index on serum urate
Authors: Peng Liuqing , Jing Jiarui , He Simin , Wang Juping , Gao Xue , Wang Tong
Published: September 2022

Objective

To explore whether total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglyceride (TG) are mediators in the pathway of body mass index (BMI) on serum urate and determine the proportion of the mediation effect.

Methods

This study used observational and two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to explore the mediation effects of TC, HDL, LDL, and TG in the pathway of BMI on serum urate. We determined the size and the extent to which these lipids mediate any effect of BMI on serum urate.

Results

Observational analysis results showed that HDL and TG can partially explain the association of BMI on serum urate, and the proportion of mediation effect was 10.2% and 8.9%, respectively. MR results demonstrated that TG has a causal effect on serum urate (β = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.29; p = 2.28×10–10.) and its proportion of mediation effect was 14.1%. TC, HDL, and LDL are not the mediators in the pathway of BMI on serum urate in MR estimates.

Conclusion

To a certain extent, TG mediates the effect of BMI on serum urate, and the risk of gout may be reduced by controlling both BMI and TG.
Pathogenesis and treatment of wound healing in patients with diabetes after tooth extraction
Authors: Yang Shuting , Li You , Liu Chengcheng , Wu Yafei , Wan Zixin , Shen Daonan
Published: September 2022

Diabetes mellitus is a common systematic chronic disease amongst dental patients. The elevated glucose microenvironment can prolong the healing of tooth extraction sockets. Therefore, the promotion of healing up tooth extraction sockets is of great clinical importance to the patients with diabetes mellitus. The current evidence indicates the mechanism of the recovery period of extraction sockets in hyperglycaemia conditions from physiological, inflammation, immune, endocrine and neural aspects. New advancements have been made in varied curative approaches and drugs in the management of wound healing of tooth extraction sockets in diabetes. However, most of the interventions are still in the stage of animal experiments, and whether it can be put into clinical application still needs further explorations. Specifically, our work showed topical administration of plasma-rich growth factor, advanced platelet-rich fibrin, leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin and hyaluronic acid as well as maxillary immediate complete denture is regarded as a promising approach for clinical management of diabetic patients requiring extractions. Overall, recent studies present a blueprint for new advances in novel and effective approaches for this worldwide health ailment and tooth extraction sockets healing.
Association between subclinical hyperthyroidism and a PRKAR1A gene variant in Carney complex patients: A case report and systematic review
Authors: Wang Hongyang , Mao Min , Liu Dongfang , Duan Lian
Published: September 2022

Background and Objectives

It is currently controversial whether subclinical hyperthyroidism is associated with PRKAR1A gene variants. We describe a man with subclinical hyperthyroidism and a PRKAR1A gene variant who was diagnosed with Carney complex (CNC), and we performed a systematic review of published studies to assess the association between PRKAR1A gene variants and the risk of subclinical hyperthyroidism.

Design and Methods

The PubMed, EMBASE, OVID, Science Direct, and gray literature electronic databases were searched for articles published from January 2002 to May 2021 using predefined keywords and inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data on thyroid function from selected studies were extracted and analyzed.

Results

We identified a CNC patient with a subclinical hyperthyroidism phenotype combined with multiple components and genetic sequenced data. In a subsequent systematic review, twenty selected studies (14 case studies and 6 series studies) enrolling 23 individuals were included in the final analysis. The patient’s thyroid function data were qualitative in 11 cases and quantitative in 12 cases. The prevalence of subclinical hyperthyroidism in the CNC patients with a PRKAR1A gene variant, including our patient, was markedly higher than that in the normal population (12.5% vs. 2%)

Conclusions

The findings of this systematic review provide helpful evidence that PRKAR1A gene variants and subclinical hyperthyroidism are related and suggest that subclinical hyperthyroidism may be a neglected phenotype of PRKAR1A gene variants and a novel component of CNC patients.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier CRD42021197655.
Evaluation of bone mineral density and body compositions interrelation in young and middle-aged male patients with Crohn’s disease by quantitative computed tomography
Authors: Zhang Xueli , Peng Kun , Li Gang , Wan Lidi , Xu Tingting , Cui Zhijun , Xiao Fuxia , Li Li , Liu Zhanju , Zhang Lin , Tang Guangyu
Published: September 2022

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of bone mineral density (BMD) and body compositions, and the impact of body compositions on BMD in young and middle-aged male patients with Crohn’s disease (CD).

Methods

Patients with CD (n = 198) and normal controls (n = 123) underwent quantitative computed tomography (QCT) examination of lumbar vertebrae 1–3 (L1–3). The BMD and bone geometric parameters were measured and outputted by QCT post-process software. Meanwhile, body composition parameters, including subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), lean mass (LM), and muscles mass around lumbar vertebrae were also acquired by QCT. Blood indicators [interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), Ca, and P] were collected from clinical medical records. Independent t-test was used to compare these variables between the CD group and the normal control group.

Results

There was no significant difference in age, height, and weight between the CD group and the control group (p > 0.05), indicating that the sample size was relatively balanced. Mean BMD in the CD group were lower than those in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The bone geometric parameters of the CD group, including cortical area/density (Ct. Ar, Ct. BMD) and trabecular area/density (Tb. Ar and Tb. BMD), were significantly lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05), so were the body composition parameters including total adipose tissue (TAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), lean mass (LM), and muscles mass (p < 0.05). In addition, the level of plasma IL-6, IL-8, CRP, and TNF-α of the CD group were higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05). On the contrary, the body mass index (BMI) and serum Ca and P levels of the CD group were lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05). Through multiple linear regression analysis, Tb. BMD, VAT, Ct. Ar, LM, Ca, and IL-8 entered the regression model and revealed a significant contribution to BMD.

Conclusions

Patients with CD could suffer from reduction in BMD. However, the parameters of bone geometric parameters are more sensitive and accurate than BMD changes. Among them, Tb. BMD, VAT, Ct. Ar, and LM have significant effects on BMD reduction.
Washed microbiota transplantation improves patients with high blood glucose in South China
Authors: Wu Lei , Li Man-Qing , Xie Ya-Ting , Zhang Qing , Lu Xin-Jian , Liu Tao , Lin Wen-Ying , Xu Jia-Ting , Wu Qing-Ping , He Xing-Xiang
Published: September 2022

Background and Aims

Although fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from healthy donors has been shown to have hypoglycemic effects in animal models of diabetes, its clinical impact in patients with abnormal blood glucose metabolism is unclear, especially in southern Chinese populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of washed microbiota transplantation (WMT) in the treatment of abnormal blood glucose metabolism in a population in southern China.

Methods

The clinical data of patients with different indications who received 1-3 treatments of WMT were retrospectively collected. The changes of blood glucose, blood lipids, blood pressure, liver function and blood routine before and after WMT were compared, such as fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), systolic blood pressure (SBP), white blood cells (WBC), lymphocytes (LY) and platelets (PLT), etc.

Results

A total of 195 patients were included in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, including 20 patients with high blood glucose and 175 patients with normal blood glucose. WMT has a significant effect in reducing short term blood glucose level (FBG) in patients with high blood glucose (p < 0.05). The fasting blood glucose (FBG) of 72.22% of patients with high blood glucose decreased to normal in a short term (about 1 month) (p < 0.001); In the medium term (about 2 months), there was a significant hypolipidemic (TG) (p = 0.043) effect, long term (about 6 months) significant blood pressure lowering (SBP, p = 0.048) effect. Overall, WMT significantly reduced the risk of high risk classes of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) in the short term (p = 0.029) and medium term (p = 0.050).

Conclusion

WMT can significantly improve blood glucose in patients with high blood glucose, and there is no long-term elevated risk of blood glucose and ASCVD. FBG levels were significantly reduced in both the short and medium term in patients with high blood glucose treated with WMT. Therefore, the regulation of gut microbiota by WMT may provide a new clinical approach for the treatment of abnormal blood glucose metabolism.
State of health estimation for lithium-ion batteries based on incremental capacity analysis under slight overcharge voltage
Authors: Ye Min , Wei Meng , Wang Qiao , Lian Gaoqi , Ma Yuchuan
Published: September 2022

Accurate and reliable estimation of state of health (SOH) for lithium-ion batteries under slight overcharge voltage cycling has great significance for battery management systems. In this study, commercial lithium-ion phosphate batteries are investigated under slight overcharge voltage cycling. The aging mechanism is discussed based on incremental capacity analysis and differential voltage analysis. Moreover, the syncretic health indicator is obtained from the incremental capacity curves based on principal component analysis. Specifically, the capacity retention and Coulombic efficiency are analyzed under slight overcharge voltage cycling. The incremental capacity peaks (i.e., peak B and peak C) are discussed to extract potential health indicators, and a syncretic health indicator is adopted based on principal component analysis. Finally, the Gaussian process regression is established for accuracy SOH estimation with a 95% confidence interval under small data of slight overcharge cycling. In comparison with the traditional methods, the proposed method exhibits higher accuracy with a 95% confidence interval, and the error is limited to 3%.
Droop-based active voltage regulation control and robust stability analysis for VSCs in the large-scale RES-integrated power system
Authors: Zhao Zhengkui , Su Xiaoling , Yang Jun , Zhou Peng , Chen Hui , Lu Guoqiang
Published: September 2022

New features like high penetration level, low inertia, and weak damping are decreasing voltage support capacity in the power system as it sees large-scale renewable energy source (RES) integration continuously. The reasonable solution to this challenge is developing an additional active voltage regulation function for voltage source converters (VSCs). This study proposes a droop-based active voltage control strategy for VSCs in large-scale RES-integrated power systems to make VSCs continue to operate and regulate the voltage at the point of common coupling (PCC) during a fault without causing overcurrent. In order to meet the requirements of RESs and grid code, all control boundary conditions are designed based on practical engineering data. Meanwhile, plant uncertainty and parameter disturbance are introduced into a robust stability margin analysis model based on the component connection method (CCM) and structured singular value (SSV) to improve the engineering application prospect. The effectiveness and feasibility of this control strategy are proved by logical deduction and practical simulation based on a generalized small-signal model.
Efficient Wastewater Treatment via Aeration Through a Novel Nanobubble System in Sequence Batch Reactors
Authors: Ahmadi Mehrdad , Doroodmand Mohammad Mahdi , Nabi Bidhendi Gholamreza , Torabian Ali , Mehrdadi Nasser
Published: September 2022

The aerobic wastewater treatments depend on the aeration. Hence, the size of the bubbles used in the aeration system may play a crucial role in this regard. This study attempted to investigate the effects of aeration bubble size on wastewater treatment efficiency of a “sequence batch reactor” (SBR) system at a laboratory scale using a novel designed fine/nanobubble forming instrumentation system. Based on the presence of microorganisms in the stationary phase, chemical oxygen demand removal efficiency on the 15th day (80.0 and 95.0%) was majorly better than on the 10th and 15th days in fine and nanobubble aeration systems. Moreover, with increasing sludge age, the “sludge volumetric index” (SVI) increased up to 170.0 ml g−1 on the 15th day. In addition, sludge rate and F/M ratio were much higher and expressively less in the nanobubble system rather than in the fine-bubbles system in which sludge was majorly denser. Therefore, the sludge was more easily deposited and the percentage of dry sludge was higher compared with the fine-bubble system. Thus, oxygen and specific oxygen uptake rate consumption were significantly reduced. The efficiency of the phosphorus removal was estimated to be between 54.0–60.0% for nanobubble aeration, compared to the general systems such as the SBR (10–20%) under similar conditions. In addition, the efficiency of the nitrogen removal in the nanobubble aeration system with different densities of 40.0, 50.0, and 60.0 ml g−1 was found as 99.0%, relatively higher compared to fine bubble with 96.0% nitrogen efficiency. In conclusion, a nanobubble aeration system could give considerably promoted efficiencies in all terms of the tested treatment effective parameters.
A two-layer optimization of design and operational management of a hybrid combined heat and power system
Authors: Liu Hao , Miao Zhengqiang , Wang Nan , Yang Yuwei
Published: September 2022

This article proposes a two-layer collaborative stochastic optimization model of a hybrid combined heat and power system to determine the optimal capacities and operational strategies of components for minimizing the total cost, which includes investment, operation, and CO2 emission costs. Hybrid optimization algorithms, in genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization, are employed to solve the two-layer optimization, respectively. Typical scenarios with probability distributions are generated in Monte Carlo simulations and a clustering approach, which demonstrate the influences of the uncertainties of renewable energies and electrical and thermal loads. The simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed optimization model. When considering the CO2 emission cost, the renewable energy penetration resulting from the larger capacities of renewable power technologies reaches 30%, which is 11.5% higher than the optimal case without considering the emission cost. This optimal integration increases the fossil energy utilization efficiency by 2.5% and the revenue from excess electricity sales by 2.7 times. The levelized capital cost, however, increases by 33.0%, and the utility grid integration and the net interaction also increase by 1.1% and 21.5%, respectively.
Aquatic macroinvertebrate trophic guilds, functional feeding groups, and water quality of an andean urban river
Authors: Carrasco-Badajoz Carlos , Rayme-Chalco Carolina , Arana-Maestre Jerry , Álvarez-Tolentino Daniel , Ayala-Sulca Yuri , Sanchez-Peña Marco
Published: September 2022

In the Anthropocene, man has imposed his activities above the natural processes of ecosystems. Rivers have undergone major changes associated with urban centers, so monitoring them is important to determine their status and suitability to provide environmental services. Studies applying the community ecology approach, such as energy flow in aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages, may be appropriate to determine their status and functioning. This study characterized an Andean river that runs across the city of Ayacucho (Peru). Water physicochemical parameters and biotic quality indices were used and compared with the abundance of trophic guild components and functional feeding groups to demonstrate that the latter are at least equally suitable to estimate water quality. The river section studied ranged from 2640 to 2900 m a.s.l. and was monitored in the wet and dry seasons. Six monitoring stations were established according to the extent of the influence of the urban center. Water physicochemical variables and macroinvertebrate abundances were determined. A Surber net was used for multihabitat sampling; macroinvertebrates were identified to genus level (in most cases) and counted to estimate relative abundances. Trophic guilds (detritivore, predator, herbivore) were formed using the genus data from identification according to the information available in Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru. Functional feeding groups were set based on the classification of families. The sensitivity of trophic metrics was assessed by relating them to environmental variables and the Andean Biotic Index (ABI), the Biological Monitoring Working Party adapted for Colombia (BMWP/Col.), and the Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera (EPT) indices. Environmental variables and biotic indices increased significantly in the most impacted stations, where the abundance of most taxa decreased. The components of trophic guilds and functional groups varied, and those feeding on fine particles increased in sites with a higher urban impact. The metrics based on trophic characteristics were highly correlated with the BMWP/Col and ABI indices. Therefore, these indices can be used to estimate river water quality and provide information on its functioning.
Research on formulation optimization and hydration mechanism of phosphogypsum-based filling cementitious materials
Authors: Yang Xiao , Jia Yongxiang , Yang Chen , He Xiaoke , Jia Yanchang , Xu Leige
Published: September 2022

Phosphogypsum is a solid waste produced in the production of wet-process phosphoric acid. The main component is calcium sulfate dihydrate, and its constant calcium activity is very low. It is a very difficult waste to handle. The slag produced in the ironmaking processes of the Jiuquan Iron and Steel Company has high activity and can be mixed with phosphogypsum to prepare backfilling cementitious materials for the backfilling of goaf (see Introduction below) to prevent its subsidence and cracking and subsequent subsidence of the land surface above the goaf. In this paper, an orthogonal test of material strength under different ratios and finenesses was carried out, and the optimal formula of phosphogypsum-based cementitious material was obtained. On this basis, SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) and XRD (X-ray Diffraction) were used to observe the internal structure of phosphogypsum-based cementitious materials. The results show that: when the content of quicklime is 5.5%–6.0%, the content of phosphogypsum is 30%–33%, the content of NaOH is 1.5%–2.0%, the content of Glauber’s salt is 2.5%–3%, the average particle size is 15.88 μm, and grinding aids and an early strengthening agent were added, and in the case of the strengthening agent, the 3-days and 7-days strengths of the filling reached the highest values of 1.58 MPa (mean flexural strength) and 4.1 MPa, respectively. The formation of calcium silicate hydrates gel (C-S-H) and ettringite (AFt) gradually increased with age, and the structure became denser. The ettringite plays the role of interspersed support in the filling body, thereby improving the overall strength. This research provides a theoretical basis and practical reference for the treatment of goaf.
Making the competitive exclusion principle operational at the biogeographical scale using fuzzy logic
Authors: Real Raimundo , Báez José C. , Fa Julia E. , Olivero Jesús , Acevedo Pelayo
Published: September 2022

In biogeography the competitive exclusion principle (CEP) has been confirmed in some cases but not in others. This has fueled an unresolved debate between those advocating niche theory or the neutral theory in biodiversity and biogeography. We suggest that this situation mainly arises from the use of crisp logic, where the CEP is defined as either completely true or false. We propose the application of the fuzzy concepts of favorability (the degree to which environmental conditions are propitious for the occurrence of individual species) and favorableness (the degree to which environmental conditions are simultaneously favorable for competing species) to operationalize a fuzzy version of the CEP. Favorability was obtained by performing species distribution models applying favorability functions, while favorableness was derived from the application of the fuzzy intersection between the favorability for competing species. Then we plotted individual favorability values along the gradient of favorableness. Two potentially competing species would coexist in high-favorableness locations, as the demands of both species would be well fulfilled. In locations of low favorableness, the result would be either autecological exclusion of both species or autecological segregation, as abiotic conditions are unfavorable for at least one of the species. Competitive exclusion would occur at the intermediate stretch of the favorableness gradient, as the conditions would be good enough for persistence of each species separately but not enough for permanent coexistence. According to this theoretical framework, the observed probability that a location belongs to the intermediate favorableness area given that the two species co-occur in this location should be lower than expected according to the environmental probability models for the two species. We tested this prediction on published data about the distribution of pairs of native and introduced deer species in Great Britain, using a Bayesian approach. In two thirds of comparisons between a native and an introduced deer species the predictions of the fuzzy CEP were corroborated, which suggests that these are the pairs of species and the specific geographical areas affected by competitive exclusion. This is important both theoretically and for biodiversity conservation planning.