bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methods for determining various metals at home
Authors: Bzhitskykh P. F. , Tsyplakov P. V. , Larina T. V.
Published: October 2022

The relevance of this topic is determined by the possibility of determining what metal is used in the manufacture? The exact answer will be given by expertise from specialists, but it is not free. But they were used a long time ago, but they have not lost their relevance in our time. Accelerated methods of approximate determination of the type of metal at home. The purpose of this work is to study express methods, i.e. simple and effective technologies and methods for determining metals and alloys at home. Express methods are based on the same or similar reactions as classical methods of analysis. It is quite difficult for an ignorant person to identify aluminum and duralumin at first glance, the most accurate result can be obtained only in a chemical laboratory. A preliminary conclusion can be made using the tips that are shared by specialists in professional forums.
Typical vibration isolation systems and shock absorbers in on-board electronic equipment designs
Authors: Edvabnik V. G. , Ayrapetyan V. S. , Kuznetsov M. M.
Published: October 2022

The article discusses basic principles of designing shock absorbers and vibration isolation systems for electronic equipment of rockets. The rationale for the use of dry friction elements (cable shock absorbers) in shock absorbers is given. The designs of miniature shock absorbers are given.
Features of creating a reference base in the field of chemical and biological measurements
Authors: Shuvalov G. V. , Dmitrieva L. I. , Karnaukhov D. A.
Published: October 2022

The paper considers the features of creating a reference base in the field of chemical and biological research. It is noted that there is a high demand for measuring instruments in chemical and biological measurements, at the same time, there is practically no reference base for these measurements. The method of measuring the magnetic susceptibility of substances and the method of dielectrophoresis for determining the polarizability of microparticles are considered in detail. On the basis of the dielectrophoresis method, a primary reference measurement technique (PRMI) was created, which is used to measure the volume polarizability and establish the metrological characteristics of standard samples.
El papel mediador de la inteligencia emocional y la autoestima en la depresión en población adolescente
Authors: García Alfaro Elena , Gómez-Baya Diego
Published: October 2022

La influencia que tiene la inteligencia emocional percibida y la autoestima en la depresión en base a la variable sociodemográfica género es importante de estudiar, debido al impacto negativo que tiene este trastorno principalmente en la población femenina. Por ello, los objetivos del estudio consistieron en analizar la relación entre IE, autoestima y depresión, estudiar las diferencias de género en estas variables y explicar las diferencias de sexo de la depresión en base a la IE y la autoestima. La muestra se compone de 1812 adolescentes a los que se les aplicaron el cuestionario TMMS-12 para la IE, la Escala de Autoestima de Rosenberg y el Inventario Breve de Depresión. Los análisis de datos realizados muestran que menos inteligencia emocional percibida y menos autoestima se asocian con más síntomas depresivos. Las chicas presentan más síntomas depresivos, menos IE percibida y menos autoestima. Los análisis de mediación indicaron que las diferencias de género en síntomas depresivos se explican por las diferencias de género en IE percibida y autoestima. Estos resultados ponen en relieve la necesidad de implementar programas que mejoren la IE y la autoestima de los adolescentes para prevenir la depresión.
El análisis multinivel de los factores de riesgo y de protección para promover la resiliencia en el desarrollo
Authors: Gomez Baya Diego
Published: October 2022

El estudio de la salud y el bienestar en base al análisis de los factores de riesgo y de protección a lo largo del desarrollo ha ido ganando terreno en las últimas décadas. Recientemente desde la ciencia evolutiva se ha puesto el foco más que en el estudio del riesgo y la psicopatología, en la promoción de competencias y el desarrollo de la resiliencia. La resiliencia viene a ser la capacidad potencial o manifiesta de un sistema dinámico para adaptarse con éxito a los múltiples procesos y a las múltiples amenazas que pueden poner en peligro su funcionamiento, su supervivencia o su adecuado desarrollo. Dado que el individuo se encuentra inmerso y en interacción en diversos contextos sociales, muchos de estos procesos protectores son de carácter interactivo. Entre los modelos que han guiado la intervención que más evidencia han recogido en los últimos años, se encuentran la teoría del desarrollo positivo juvenil y el modelo de educación positiva. En estas intervenciones la construcción de competencias no sólo sirve para la promoción del bienestar, sino que también sirve para la prevención de problemas en el desarrollo.
La labor del docente dentro del Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior y de la sociedad de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible
Authors: García Moro Francisco José , Gomez Baya Diego , Augusto Nicoletti Javier
Published: October 2022

La sociedad actual, tan global y tal local al mismo tiempo, gira en torno a múltiples fuerzas, muchas de ellas contradictorias, que exigen respuestas en el ahora inmediato pero también sin olvidar el futuro.  La universidad no es ajena a dicha situación; y ya no le basta con transmitir conocimientos, y menos información; sino que ha de asumir una función ontológicamente propedéutica, ética, de capacitación y preparación, para que el futuro profesional tenga la competencia de identificar lo que acerca a la persona, a la sociedad y al mundo al bien, sabiendo diferenciar lo importante de lo que no lo es; el discurso que narcotiza de la orientación que apoya y media.  Ya no es suficiente con saber hacer, sino que el buen hacer y el buen ser cobran especial protagonismo. El presente artículo es una reflexión de lo que la universidad, y más concretamente, la función docente en la educación superior, debería de aportar a los futuros profesionales con una finalidad más enfocada en la persona y sociedad.  En particular, se indaga en el concepto de pensamiento crítico y en aquellas estrategias que se pueden utilizar en la enseñanza superior para favorecerlo.
Clinical characteristics and analysis of risk factors for disease progression of patients with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infection: A retrospective study of 25207 cases in a Fangcang hospital
Authors: Ying-hao Pei , Yuan-yuan Gu , Hai-dong Zhang , Qiu-hua Chen , Xue-ran Gu , Hai-qi Zhou , Hua Jiang
Published: October 2022

Objectives

To summarize the clinical characteristics of patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant and explore the risk factors affecting the progression in a Fangcang hospital, Shanghai, China.

Methods

A total of 25,207 patients were retrospectively enrolled. We described the clinical characteristics and performed univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify the risk factors for non-severe to severe COVID-19 or death.

Results

According to the outcomes, there were 39 severe patients (including 1 death) and 25,168 non-severe patients enrolled in this study. Among the 25,207 cases, the median age was 45 years (IQR 33-54), and 65% patients were male. Cough (44.5%) and expectoration (38.4%) were the most two common symptoms. Hypertension (10.4%) and diabetes (3.5%) were most two common comorbidities. Most patients (81.1%) were fully vaccinated. The unvaccinated and partially vaccinated patients were 15.1% and 3.9%, respectively. The length of viral shedding time was six days (IQR 4-9) in non-severe patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that age (OR=1.062, 95%CI 1.034-1.090, p<0.001), fever (OR=2.603, 95%CI 1.061-6.384, p=0.037), cough (OR=0.276, 95%CI 0.119-0.637, p=0.003), fatigue (OR=4.677, 95%CI 1.976-11.068, p<0.001), taste disorders (OR=14.917, 95%CI 1.884-118.095, p=0.010), and comorbidity (OR=2.134, 95%CI 1.059-4.302, p=0.034) were predictive factors for deterioration of SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant infection.

Conclusions

Non-critical patients have different clinical characteristics from critical patients. Age, fever, cough, fatigue, taste disorders, and comorbidity are predictors for the deterioration of SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant infection.
Small stories and accountability of discursive action in mediated political discourse: Contextualisation and recontextualisation of ordinary and not-so-ordinary participants
Authors: Fetzer Anita
Published: October 2022

This paper examines how participants in mediated political discourse use short narratives strategically to account for discursive action by contextualising and re-contextualising their discursive selves, particular discursive acts and their intended and unintended perlocutionary effects. The data analysed are pre-election data (2017) and non-election data (2018), comprising online news reports from British broadsheets, parliamentary debates, political speeches from leading British politicians, and their web-based comments' sections. The research is based on the differentiation between the generalised pragmatic premise and second-order theoretical construct of accountability2 of communicative action and its discourse-community-based particularisation, the first-order participant construct of accountability1. The discursive value of the latter is negotiated in context and in the political-discourse data further distinguished as regards accountability of and accountability for discursive acts. The analysis focuses on how ordinary and not-so-ordinary participants contextualise and recontextualise interfacing ordinary-life experience anchored in private domains and not-so-ordinary political action anchored in public and institutional domains. It considers (1) the production format comparing not-so-ordinary and ordinary story tellers; (2) stories with (a) not-so-ordinary, (b) ordinary, and (c) ordinary and not-so-ordinary characters; (3) ordinary settings and institutional settings; and (4) explicit and implicit evaluations by characters and tellers. The analysis shows that there is not only variation in the formatting of the short narratives with more-prototypical small stories and monolithic characters, settings and plot, and less-prototypical small stories with more dimensional characters, fuzzy settings and negotiated evaluations. There is also variation in the discursive function of the small stories: not-so-ordinary tellers and characters account for their discursive acts through life-world-experience-based accounts while at the same time implicating their leadership skills. They present themselves as listening to ordinary people, voicing their concerns in the public arena, initiating political action and acting on their behalf. Ordinary tellers and their ordinary characters tell their ordinary-life based stories, distancing themselves from the not-so-ordinary agents. In the mediated data, not-so-ordinary participants' references to the private-public interface generally trigger conversational implicatures targeting sincerity, credibility and ideological coherence, while ordinary participants' references to the private-public interface are used to show the effects of political decision on their real-life experience.
Gender-differences in antithrombotic therapy across the spectrum of ischemic heart disease: Time to tackle the Yentl syndrome?
Authors: Laborante Renzo , Borovac Josip Andjelo , Galli Mattia , Rodolico Daniele , Ciliberti Giuseppe , Restivo Attilio , Cappannoli Luigi , Arcudi Alessandra , Vergallo Rocco , Zito Andrea , Princi Giuseppe , Leone Antonio Maria , Aurigemma Cristina , Romagnoli Enrico , Montone Rocco Antonio , Burzotta Francesco , Trani Carlo , D’Amario Domenico
Published: October 2022

The incidence and clinical presentation of ischemic heart disease (IHD), as well as thrombotic and bleeding risks, appear to differ between genders. Compared with men, women feature an increased thrombotic risk, probably related to an increased platelet reactivity, higher level of coagulation factors, and sex-associated unique cardiovascular risk factors, such as pregnancy-related (i.e., pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes), gynecological disorders (i.e., polycystic ovary syndrome, early menopause) and autoimmune or systemic inflammatory diseases. At the same time, women are also at increased risk of bleeding, due to inappropriate dosing of antithrombotic agents, smaller blood vessels, lower body weight and comorbidities, such as diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Pharmacological strategies focused on the personalization of antithrombotic treatment may, therefore, be particularly appealing in women in light of their higher bleeding and ischemic risks. Paradoxically, although women represent a large proportion of cardiovascular patients in our practice, adequate high-quality clinical trial data on women remain scarce and inadequate to guide decision-making processes. As a result, IHD in women tends to be understudied, underdiagnosed and undertreated, a phenomenon known as a “Yentl syndrome.” It is, therefore, compelling for the scientific community to embark on dedicated clinical trials to address underrepresentation of women and to acquire evidence-based knowledge in the personalization of antithrombotic therapy in women.
Differences in the impact of impaired glucose status on clinical outcomes in younger and older adults: Over a decade of follow-up in the Tehran lipid and glucose study
Authors: Asgari Samaneh , Masrouri Soroush , Khalili Davood , Azizi Fereidoun , Hadaegh Farzad
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Studies found that the impact of dysglycemia on microvascular, macrovascular events and mortality outcomes were different between the younger vs. older population. We aimed to investigate the age-specific association of prediabetes with clinical outcomes including type 2 diabetes (T2DM), hypertension, chronic kidney disease (CKD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and mortality.

Materials and methods

A total of 5,970 Iranians (3,829 women) aged ≥30 years, without T2DM, were included. The age-specific (<60 and ≥60 years; minimum p-value for interaction = 0.001) multivariable-adjusted Cox regression was done to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the impaired glucose status including impaired fasting glucose (IFG) vs. normal fasting glucose (NFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) vs. normal glucose tolerance (NGT), and IFG&IGT vs. NFG/NGT with each outcome.

Results

Among individuals aged ≥60 years, the prevalence of impaired glucose status (IFG, IGT, or both) was about 2 times higher compared to those aged <60. Age-specific association between prediabetes and incident hypertension was found for those aged <60 years; [HR (95% CI); IFG: 1.38 (1.16–1.65), IGT: 1.51 (1.26–1.81), and IFG&IGT: 1.62 (1.21–2.12)]. For CVD, in all impaired glycemic states, those aged <60 were at higher significant risk [IFG: 1.39 (1.09–1.77), IGT: 1.53 (1.19–1.97), and IFG&IGT: 1.60 (1.14–2.25)]. Stratified analyses showed similar associations for IFG and IGT with non-CV mortality 1.71 (1.04–2.80) and 2.12 (1.30–3.46), respectively, and for all-cause mortality among those aged <60 years [IFG: 1.63 (1.08–2.45) and IGT: 1.82 (1.20–2.76)]. In both age groups, all glycemic status groups were significantly associated with T2DM but not with CKD and CV mortality.

Conclusions

The high prevalence of prediabetes particularly among the elderly population, limited resources, and the observed significant age differences in the impact of prediabetes states on different clinical outcomes calls for multicomponent intervention strategies by policy health makers, including lifestyle and possible pharmacological therapy, with the priority for the young Iranian population.
Percutaneous or mini-invasive surgical radiofrequency re-ablation of atrial fibrillation: Impact on atrial function and echocardiographic predictors of short and long-term success
Authors: Montserrat Sílvia , Gabrielli Luigi , Borràs Roger , Cascos Enric , Castellá Manel , Sanchis Laura , Bijnens Bart , Mont Lluís , Sitges Marta
Published: October 2022

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare percutaneous catheter ablation vs. minimally invasive surgical ablation, evaluating the impact of repeated ablation on atrial function, and evaluating predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence.

Background

When AF ablation fails, re-ablations are required in up to 40% of patients to treat recurrent arrhythmia; surgical ablation is more effective than catheter ablation.

Methods

Thirty-two patients with failed prior catheter ablation and referred for a second ablation (18 catheter and 14 surgical) were included in a descriptive observational study. Left atrial volumes, strain, and strain rate were measured with 2D speckle tracking echocardiography at baseline and 6 months after the procedures to assess left atrial functions. Patients received up to 1 year of clinical and Holter follow-up.

Results

At the 12-month follow-up, catheter ablation was effective in 56% and surgical ablation in 72% of patients (OR 2 (CI 0.45–8.84), p 0.36). Left atrial booster function was similar in all patients, but left atrial reservoir function was more impaired in those patients who underwent surgical ablation. Left atrial booster function was predictive of arrhythmia recurrence after both catheter and surgical ablation: late diastolic strain rate (LASRa) cut-off ≤ -0.89 s–1 (sensitivity 88%, specificity 70%, AUC 0.82) and ≤ -0.85 s–1 (sensitivity 60%, specificity 100%, AUC 0.82), respectively.

Conclusion

Surgical ablation has a more negative impact on LA reservoir function despite being slightly more effective in arrhythmia suppression. LA booster function is not significantly impaired by either procedure. LA booster function predicts arrhythmia elimination after a re-ablation (catheter or surgical).
Systematic bibliometric and visualized analysis of research hotspots and trends on the application of artificial intelligence in diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Wang Ruoyu , Zuo Guangxi , Li Kunke , Li Wangting , Xuan Zhiqiang , Han Yongzhao , Yang Weihua
Published: October 2022

Background

Artificial intelligence (AI), which has been used to diagnose diabetic retinopathy (DR), may impact future medical and ophthalmic practices. Therefore, this study explored AI’s general applications and research frontiers in the detection and gradation of DR.

Methods

Citation data were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection database (WoSCC) to assess the application of AI in diagnosing DR in the literature published from January 1, 2012, to June 30, 2022. These data were processed by CiteSpace 6.1.R3 software.

Results

Overall, 858 publications from 77 countries and regions were examined, with the United States considered the leading country in this domain. The largest cluster labeled “automated detection” was employed in the generating stage from 2007 to 2014. The burst keywords from 2020 to 2022 were artificial intelligence and transfer learning.

Conclusion

Initial research focused on the study of intelligent algorithms used to localize or recognize lesions on fundus images to assist in diagnosing DR. Presently, the focus of research has changed from upgrading the accuracy and efficiency of DR lesion detection and classification to research on DR diagnostic systems. However, further studies on DR and computer engineering are required.
Pediatric adrenocortical carcinoma
Authors: Ilanchezhian Maran , Varghese Diana Grace , Glod John W. , Reilly Karlyne M. , Widemann Brigitte C. , Pommier Yves , Kaplan Rosandra N. , Del Rivero Jaydira
Published: October 2022

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare endocrine malignancy of the adrenal gland with an unfavorable prognosis. It is rare in the pediatric population, with an incidence of 0.2-0.3 patients per million in patients under 20 years old. It is primarily associated with Li-Fraumeni and Beckwith-Wiedemann tumor predisposition syndromes in children. The incidence of pediatric ACC is 10-15fold higher in southern Brazil due to a higher prevalence of TP53 mutation associated with Li-Fraumeni syndrome in that population. Current treatment protocols are derived from adult ACC and consist of surgery and/or chemotherapy with etoposide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (EDP) with mitotane. Limited research has been reported on other treatment modalities for pediatric ACC, including mitotane, pembrolizumab, cabozantinib, and chimeric antigen receptor autologous cell (CAR-T) therapy.
Triglyceride: A mediator of the association between waist-to-height ratio and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A second analysis of a population-based study
Authors: Hu Haofei , Han Yong , Liu Yufei , Guan Mijie , Wan Qijun
Published: October 2022

Objective

Increasing evidence suggests that an increased waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) may increase the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Whether this association is due to WHtR itself or mediated by WHtR-associated increases in triglyceride (TG) is uncertain. On that account, our research aims to disentangle these relationships.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 14251 participants who participated in the medical examination program were consecutively and non-selectively collected in Murakami Memorial Hospital in Japan from 2004 to 2015. The independent and dependent variables were WHtR and NAFLD, respectively. Triglyceride was the mediating factor. The correlation between WHtR, TG, and NAFLD risk factors was examined using spearman correlation analysis. The association between WHtR or TG and NAFLD was examined using multiple logistic regression. In order to determine whether TG mediated the association between WHtR and NAFLD, a mediation analysis was performed.

Results

The mean age of the included individuals was 43.53 ± 8.89 years old, and 7411 (52.00%) were male. The mean WHtR and TG were 0.46 ± 0.05, 0.89 ± 0.63, respectively. The prevalence rate of NAFLD was 2507 (17.59%). Individuals with NAFLD had significantly higher levels of WHtR and TG than those without NAFLD (P<0.05). After adjusting covariates, the multivariate linear regression analysis showed that WHtR was positively associated with TG. That was, for every 0.1 increase in WHtR, TG increased by 0.226mmol/L (β=0.226, 95%CI: 0.206, 0.247). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that WHtR (OR=8.743, 95%CI: 7.528, 10.153) and TG (OR=1.897, 95%CI: 1.732, 2.078) were positively associated with NAFLD. The mediation analysis showed that WHtR had a direct, significant effect on NAFLD (β=0.139, 95%CI: 0.126, 0.148), and TG partially mediated the indirect effect of WHtR on NAFLD (β=0.016, 95% CI: 0.013-0.019). TG contributed to 10.41% of WHtR-related NAFLD development.

Conclusion

Findings suggest a mediation link between WHtR and TG and the risk of NAFLD. The significance of TG as a mediator deserves recognition and consideration.
An artificial intelligence ultrasound system’s ability to distinguish benign from malignant follicular-patterned lesions
Authors: Xu Dong , Wang Yuan , Wu Hao , Lu Wenliang , Chang Wanru , Yao Jincao , Yan Meiying , Peng Chanjuan , Yang Chen , Wang Liping , Xu Lei
Published: October 2022

Objectives

To evaluate the application value of a generally trained artificial intelligence (AI) automatic diagnosis system in the malignancy diagnosis of follicular-patterned thyroid lesions (FPTL), including follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC), adenomatoid hyperplasia nodule (AHN) and follicular thyroid adenoma (FTA) and compare the diagnostic performance with radiologists of different experience levels.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 607 patients with 699 thyroid nodules that included 168 malignant nodules by using postoperative pathology as the gold standard, and compared the diagnostic performances of three radiologists (one junior, two senior) and that of AI automatic diagnosis system in malignancy diagnosis of FPTL in terms of sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, respectively. Pairwise t-test was used to evaluate the statistically significant difference.

Results

The accuracy of the AI system in malignancy diagnosis was 0.71, which was higher than the best radiologist in this study by a margin of 0.09 with a p-value of 2.08×10-5. Two radiologists had higher sensitivity (0.84 and 0.78) than that of the AI system (0.69) at the cost of having much lower specificity (0.35, 0.57 versus 0.71). One senior radiologist showed balanced sensitivity and specificity (0.62 and 0.54) but both were lower than that of the AI system.

Conclusions

The generally trained AI automatic diagnosis system can potentially assist radiologists for distinguishing FTC from other FPTL cases that share poorly distinguishable ultrasonographical features.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children with obesity– observations from one clinical centre in the Western Pomerania region
Authors: Marcinkiewicz Katarzyna , Horodnicka-Józwa Anita , Jackowski Tomasz , Strączek Kamila , Biczysko-Mokosa Agnieszka , Walczak Mieczysław , Petriczko Elżbieta
Published: October 2022

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing health problem in the pediatric population, due to the constantly increasing percentage of children with obesity. The objective of the study was to assess the occurrence of NAFLD based on ultrasound (USG) analysis and the use of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in children with overweight and obesity depending on glucose tolerance. Medical records of 228 consecutive patients aged 2-18 years with overweight and obesity were reviewed retrospectively. Based on the oral glucose tolerance test children were divided into groups according to the severity of carbohydrate metabolism disorders. ALT, lipid parameters and insulin sensitivity indices HOMA, Matsuda and Quicki were analyzed. NAFLD was diagnosed (based on the USG) in 51 patients (23.61%) - the incidence in the impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) group was significantly higher when compared to ones without glucose intolerance. Because of extreme values of metabolic parameters in TDM2 children being outliers, they were not considered in the statistical analysis of the study. 22 (11.58%) patients had elevated ALT values, of which 12 (54.55%) had hepatic steatosis features on ultrasound. 72.73% (n=32) patients with fatty liver features on USG had ALT values considered normal with cut-off point 42 U/l accepted in this study. Almost every fourth obese child in the study group presents features of fatty liver in ultrasound examination. Although ultrasound is not recommended by North American Society For Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology &Nutrition(NASPGHAN) for the diagnosis of NAFLD in children, it allows identifying a high percentage of children with features of fatty liver. This percentage increases significantly in children with glucose intolerance.
Characteristics of denitrification and anammox in the sediment of an aquaculture pond
Authors: Liu Xingguo , Gao Meiyun , Wang Jie , Gu Zhaojun , Cheng Guo-feng
Published: October 2022

Denitrification and anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) are the key processes of nitrogen removal in aquaculture pond sediment. However, the reaction characteristics remain unclear. In this study, considering the sediment of conventional freshwater fishponds as the object, we set the optimal conditions of organic carbon, temperature, and total nitrates for denitrification and anammox. We found that the abundance and diversity of denitrifying bacteria and anammox bacteria in the two groups were significantly different. Candidatus brocadia is the most important bacteria in aquaculture pond sediments. The removal efficiencies of nitrite (NO2−-N), nitrate (NO3−-N), ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N), and total organic carbon (TOC) in the anammox optimal conditions group were 97.99%, 93.05%, 54.92%, and 58.82%, respectively; however, those in the denitrification optimal conditions group were 99.82%, 86.10%, 45.74%, and 70.76%, respectively. Comparing each optimal condition, the removal efficiency of NO2−-N and TOC in the denitrification optimal condition groups was higher, whereas those of NO3−-N and NH4+-N were higher in the anammox optimal condition groups. We provide a reference for resolving nitrogen pollution in aquaculture pond sediments.
Case report: Prenatal diagnosis of Ectrodactyly–Ectodermal dysplasia–Cleft syndrome (EEC) in a fetus with cleft lip and polycystic kidney
Authors: Biwei He , Min Su , Yanlin Wang , Xinrong Zhao , Li Gao , Renyi Hua , Jinling Sun , Shan Wang , Yi Wu , Weiwei Cheng
Published: October 2022

Ectrodactyly–ectodermal dysplasia–cleft (EEC) syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by ectrodactyly, ectodermal dysplasia, and orofacial clefting. Reduced penetrance is manifested in these core features and additional under-recognized features, especially in prenatal cases. Here, we present a fetus with EEC syndrome at 22 weeks gestation, in which the cleft lip and palate and the right polycystic kidney are shown by prenatal ultrasound. A de novo missense mutation of R304W in the TP63 gene is confirmed by whole-exome sequencing associated with EEC syndrome. We further investigate the reported TP63-related prenatal cases and provide a more complete picture of the prenatal phenotypic spectrum about EEC. It illustrates the potential severity of genitourinary anomalies in TP63-related disorders and highlights the need to counsel for the possibility of EEC syndrome, given the occurrence of genitourinary anomalies with orofacial cleft or limb deformities.
Polymorphisms of nucleotide excision repair genes associated with colorectal cancer risk: Meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis
Authors: Yi Chuncheng , Li Tiandong , Shen Yajing , Wang Peng , Dai Liping , Shi Jianxiang , Wang Keyan , Sun Changqing , Ye Hua
Published: October 2022

Background: Reduced DNA repair capacity in nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathways owing to genetic variant may influence cancer susceptibility. According to published studies, variants of NER genes associations with colorectal cancer (CRC) risk were inconclusive. Thus, this meta-analysis aimed to explore the possible association. A trial sequence analysis (TSA) analysis was performed to control the risk of false positive or false negative.

Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Network (CNKI), Wanfang Database and Scientific and Technical Journal Database (VIP) were searched to identify relative studies until April 2022. The association was assessed by odds ratio (OR) in Allele, homozygous, heterozygous, dominant, recessive, and over-dominant models. In addition, Begg’s and Egger’s tests, sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis and TSA analysis were performed.

Results: A total of 29 studies were eventually included in the meta-analysis, including 12,153 CRC patients and 14,168 controls. It showed that excision and repair cross complementary group 1 (ERCC1) rs11615 CC genotype decreased the risk of CRC, compared with TT genotype (CC vs. TT: OR = 0.816, 95% CI = 0.673–0.990, p = 0.039). For ERCC1 rs3212986, the significant impact was detected on increased the risk of CRC in the allele (OR = 1.267, 95% CI = 1.027–1.562, p = 0.027), homozygous (OR = 1.805, 95% CI = 1.276–2.553, p = 0.001), dominant (OR = 1.214, 95% CI = 1.012–1.455, p = 0.037) and recessive (OR = 1.714, 95% CI = 1.225–2.399, p = 0.002) models, especially in the Asian population. The results revealed the association of ERCC2 rs1799793 A allele with a higher risk of CRC (A vs. G: OR = 1.163, 95% CI = 1.021–1.325, p = 0.023). It also showed that ERCC5 rs17655 increased CRC risk in the allele (OR = 1.104, 95% CI = 1.039–1.173, p = 0.001), homozygous (OR = 1.164, 95% CI = 1.018–1.329, p = 0.026), heterozygous (OR = 1.271, 95% CI = 1.018–1.329, p < 0.001), dominant (OR = 1.241, 95% CI = 1.135–1.358, p < 0.001) and over-dominant (OR = 0.828, 95% CI = 0.762–0.900, p < 0.001) models, especially among Asians.

Conclusion: This meta-analysis based on current evidence suggests that the significant association was observed between ERCC1 rs11615, ERCC1 rs3212986, ERCC2 rs1799793, and ERCC5 rs17655 and CRC susceptibility. However, given the limited sample size and the influence of genetic background, studies of a larger scale and well-designed are required to confirm the results.
Case Report: Variegate porphyria disclosed by post-gastric bypass complications and causing predominant painful sensorimotor axonal peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Collaud Edwige , Wittwer Luis , Minder Anna-Elisabeth , Annoni Jean-Marie , Minder Elisabeth I. , Chabwine Joelle N.
Published: October 2022

Background and aims: Porphyrias constitute a group of rare genetic diseases due to various, mostly autosomal dominant mutations, causing enzymatic deficiency in heme biosynthesis. As a result, neurotoxic porphyrin precursors and light-sensitive porphyrins accumulate, while dysfunction in their targets determines the disease symptoms. Variegate porphyria (VP), one of the acute hepatic porphyrias, is caused by a protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPOX) mutation. During acute attacks, among other factors, triggered by drugs, stressors, or fasting, an increase in urinary and fecal porphobilinogen (PBG), aminolevulinic acid (ALA), and porphyrins occurs, damaging the autonomous, peripheral, or central nervous system. The disease remains often latent or displays minimal symptoms usually overlooked, exposing undiagnosed patients to potentially serious complications in the presence of the aforementioned triggers.

Case report: This 46-year-old woman presented, some days after a bariatric surgery, with severe flaccid tetraparesis and neuropathic pain, initially misdiagnosed as a functional neurological disorder. The severe axonal sensorimotor polyneuropathy led to further investigations, disclosing high urinary porphobilinogen, ALA, and porphyrin levels due to a new PPOX mutation. Retrospectively, it appeared that the patient had had typical VP symptoms (abdominal pain, fragile skin, and dark urine episodes) for years prior to the surgery. Treated with carbohydrate load, neurorehabilitation, and analgesics, she slowly recovered to full mobility, with partial autonomy in her daily life activities, although fatigue and severe pain persisted, preventing her from returning to work.

Conclusion: This case documents gastric bypass surgery as a trigger of severe VP invalidating neurological symptoms and illustrates how the delayed diagnosis and post-interventional complications could have been prevented by screening for porphyria cardinal symptoms prior to the intervention. Likewise, this cost-effective screening should be performed before any treatment influencing the diet, which would dramatically improve the porphyria diagnosis rate and outcome.
Regulatory T cell therapy suppresses inflammation of oral mucosa
Authors: Xue Ningning , Wang Ying , Cheng Hao , Liang Hantian , Fan Xinzou , Zuo Fengqiong , Zeng Xin , Ji Ning , Chen Qianming
Published: October 2022

Oral inflammatory diseases, including oral lichen planus (OLP) and recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU), seriously affect the patient’s quality of life. Due to the lack of ideal disease models, it is difficult to determine whether novel immunotherapy strategies are effective in treating oral inflammatory diseases. Here, we show that the deficiency of Foxp3 or IL-2 caused oral mucosa inflammation in mice, proving that Treg cells are important in maintaining the immune homeostasis in the oral mucosa. Then we determined that adoptive transfer of CD4+CD25-CD45RbhighT cells could induce oral inflammation inRag1-/-mice, and co-transfer of Treg cells together with CD4+CD25-CD45RbhighT cells could suppress the development of oral inflammation in this mouse model. Our study showed that adoptive transfer of CD4+CD25-CD45RbhighT cells intoRag1-/-mice could be a novel disease model of oral inflammation. Our data provides direct evidence that Treg cell therapy is effective in suppressing oral mucosa inflammation in mice. Therefore, Treg cell therapy may be a promising novel strategy to treat oral inflammatory diseases.
Functional proteomics identify mannitol metabolism in serum resistance and therapeutic implications in Vibrio alginolyticus
Authors: Kou Tian-shun , Wu Jia-han , Chen Xuan-wei , Peng Bo
Published: October 2022

Serum resistance is recognized as one of the most important pathogenic traits of bacterial pathogens, and no control measure is available. Based on our previous discovery that pathogenic Escherichia coli represses glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism to confer serum resistance and that the reactivation of this pathway by exogenous glycine could restore serum sensitivity, we further investigate the mechanism underlying the action of glycine in Vibrio alginolyticus. Thus, V. alginolyticus is treated with glycine, and the proteomic change is profiled with tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomics. Compared to the control group, glycine treatment influences the expression of a total of 291 proteins. Among them, a trap-type mannitol/chloroaromatic compound transport system with periplasmic component, encoded by N646_0992, is the most significantly increased protein. In combination with the pathway enrichment analysis showing the altered fructose and mannitol metabolism, mannitol has emerged as a possible metabolite in enhancing the serum killing activity. To demonstrate this, exogenous mannitol reduces bacterial viability. This synergistic effect is further confirmed in a V. alginolyticus–Danio rerio infection model. Furthermore, the mechanism underlying mannitol-enabled serum killing is dependent on glycolysis and the pyruvate cycle that increases the deposition of complement components C3b and C5b-9 on the bacterial surface, whereas inhibiting glycolysis or the pyruvate cycle significantly weakened the synergistic effects and complement deposition. These data together suggest that mannitol is a potent metabolite in reversing the serum resistance of V. alginolyticus and has promising use in aquaculture.
Type-2 epithelial-mesenchymal transition in oral mucosal nonneoplastic diseases
Authors: Meng Zhaosong , Yang Tianle , Liu Dayong
Published: October 2022

The oral mucosa is a membranous structure comprising epithelial and connective tissue that covers the oral cavity. The oral mucosa is the first immune barrier to protect the body against pathogens for systemic protection. It is frequently exposed to mechanical abrasion, chemical erosion, and pathogenic invasion, resulting in oral mucosal lesions, particularly inflammatory diseases. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial biological process in the pathogenesis of oral mucosal disorders, which are classified into three types (types 1, 2, and 3) based on their physiological consequences. Among these, type-2 EMT is crucial in wound repair, organ fibrosis, and tissue regeneration. It causes infectious and dis-infectious immunological diseases, such as oral lichen planus (OLP), oral leukoplakia, oral submucosal fibrosis, and other precancerous lesions. However, the mechanism and cognition between type-2 EMT and oral mucosal inflammatory disorders remain unknown. This review first provides a comprehensive evaluation of type-2 EMT in chronically inflammatory oral mucosal disorders. The aim is to lay a foundation for future research and suggest potential treatments.
Uncovering the information immunology journals transmitted for COVID-19: A bibliometric and visualization analysis
Authors: Zhao Jiefeng , Zhu Jinfeng , Huang Chao , Zhu Xiaojian , Zhu Zhengming , Wu Qinrong , Yuan Rongfa
Published: October 2022

Background

Since the global epidemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a large number of immunological studies related to COVID-19 have been published in various immunology journals. However, the results from these studies were discrete, and no study summarized the important immunological information about COVID-19 released by these immunology journals. This study aimed to comprehensively summarize the knowledge structure and research hotspots of COVID-19 published in major immunology journals through bibliometrics.

Methods

Publications on COVID-19 in major immunology journals were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection. CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and R-bibliometrix were comprehensively used for bibliometric and visual analysis.

Results

1,331 and 5,000 publications of 10 journals with high impact factors and 10 journals with the most papers were included, respectively. The USA, China, England, and Italy made the most significant contributions to these papers. University College London, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Harvard Medical School, University California San Diego, and University of Pennsylvania played a central role in international cooperation in the immunology research field of COVID-19. Yuen Kwok Yung was the most important author in terms of the number of publications and citations, and the H-index. CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES and FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY were the most essential immunology journals. These immunology journals mostly focused on the following topics: “Delta/Omicron variants”, “cytokine storm”, “neutralization/neutralizing antibody”, “T cell”, “BNT162b2”, “mRNA vaccine”, “vaccine effectiveness/safety”, and “long COVID”.

Conclusion

This study systematically uncovered a holistic picture of the current research on COVID-19 published in major immunology journals from the perspective of bibliometrics, which will provide a reference for future research in this field.
Comparative transcriptomics reveals the immune dynamics during the molting cycle of swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus
Authors: Liu Meimei , Ni Hongwei , Zhang Xiaokang , Sun Qiufeng , Wu Xugan , He Jie
Published: October 2022

Molting is one of the most important biological processes of crustacean species, and a number of molecular mechanisms facilitate this complex procedure. However, the understanding of the immune mechanisms underlying crustacean molting cycle remains very limited. This study performed transcriptome sequencing in hemolymph and hepatopancreas of the swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus) during the four molting stages: post-molt (AB), inter-molt (C), pre-molt (D), and ecdysis (E). The results showed that there were 78,572 unigenes that were obtained in the hemolymph and hepatopancreas of P. trituberculatus. Further analysis showed that 98 DEGs were involved in immunity response of hemolymph and hepatopancreas, and most of the DEGs participated in the process of signal transduction, pattern recognition proteins/receptors, and antioxidative enzymes system. Specifically, the key genes and pathway involved in signal transduction including the GPCR126, beta-integrin, integrin, three genes in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade (MAPKKK10, MAPKK4, and p38 MAPK), and four genes in Toll pathway (Toll-like receptor, cactus, pelle-like kinase, and NFIL3). For the pattern recognition proteins/receptors, the lowest expression level of 11 genes was found in the E stage, including C-type lectin receptor, C-type lectin domain family 6 member A and SRB3/C in the hemolymph, and hepatopancreatic lectin 4, C-type lectin, SRB, Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule homolog, Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule isoform, and A2M. Moreover, the expression level of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase isoform 4, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, peroxiredoxin, peroxiredoxin 6, and dual oxidase 2 in stage C or stage D significantly higher than that of stage E or stage AB. These results fill in the gap of the continuous transcriptional changes that are evident during the molting cycle of crab and further provided valuable information for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of immune regulation during the molting cycle of crab.
A novel oxidative stress- and ferroptosis-related gene prognostic signature for distinguishing cold and hot tumors in colorectal cancer
Authors: Wang Xu , Xu Yuanmin , Dai Longfei , Yu Zhen , Wang Ming , Chan Shixin , Sun Rui , Han Qijun , Chen Jiajie , Zuo Xiaomin , Wang Zhenglin , Hu Xianyu , Yang Yang , Zhao Hu , Hu Kongwang , Zhang Huabing , Chen Wei
Published: October 2022

Oxidative stress and ferroptosis exhibit crosstalk in many types of human diseases, including malignant tumors. We aimed to develop an oxidative stress- and ferroptosis-related gene (OFRG) prognostic signature to predict the prognosis and therapeutic response in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Thirty-four insertion genes between oxidative stress-related genes and ferroptosis-related genes were identified as OFRGs. We then performed bioinformatics analysis of the expression profiles of 34 OFRGs and clinical information of patients obtained from multiple datasets. Patients with CRC were divided into three OFRG clusters, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between clusters were identified. OFRG clusters correlated with patient survival and immune cell infiltration. Prognosis-related DEGs in three clusters were used to calculate the risk score, and a prognostic signature was constructed according to the risk score. In this study, patients in the low-risk group had better prognosis, higher immune cell infiltration levels, and better responses to fluorouracil-based chemotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade therapy than high-risk patients; these results were successfully validated with multiple independent datasets. Thus, low-risk CRC could be defined as hot tumors and high-risk CRC could be defined as cold tumors. To further identify potential biomarkers for CRC, the expression levels of five signature genes in CRC and adjacent normal tissues were further verified via an in vitro experiment. In conclusion, we identified 34 OFRGs and constructed an OFRG-related prognostic signature, which showed excellent performance in predicting survival and therapeutic responses for patients with CRC. This could help to distinguish cold and hot tumors in CRC, and the results might be helpful for precise treatment protocols in clinical practice.
An ambient-temperature stable nanoparticle-based vaccine for nasal application that confers long-lasting immunogenicity to carried antigens
Authors: Cruz-Resendiz Adolfo , Acero Gonzalo , Sampieri Alicia , Gevorkian Goar , Salvador Carolina , Escobar Laura , Rosendo-Pineda Margarita Jacaranda , Medeiros Mara , Vaca Luis
Published: October 2022

Polyhedrins are viral proteins present in a large family of baculoviruses that form occlusion bodies (polyhedra). These structures protect the virus particles from the outside environment until they are ingested by susceptible insects. Occluded viruses can sustain inclement weather for long periods of time. Therefore, the polyhedra is a natural preservative that keeps the viral structure intact at ambient temperature for years. In a previous study we identified the first 110 amino acids from polyhedrin (PH(1-110)) as a good candidate to carry antigens of interest. As a proof of concept, we produced a fusion protein with PH(1-110) and the green fluorescent protein (PH(1-110)GFP). The fusion protein associates spontaneously during its synthesis resulting in the formation of nanoparticles. Nasal immunization with these nanoparticles and in the absence of any adjuvant, results in a robust immune response with the production of IgG immunoglobulins that remained elevated for months and that selectively recognize the GFP but not PH(1-110). These results indicate that PH(1-110) is poorly immunogenic but capable of enhancing the immune response to GFP.