bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Soil Freeze-Thaw and Water Transport Characteristics Under Different Vegetation Types in Seasonal Freeze-Thaw Areas of the Loess Plateau
Authors: Bo Lanfeng , Li Zhanbin , Li Peng , Xu Guoche , Xiao Lie , Ma Bo 
Published: July 2021

In the arid and semi-arid regions of the Loess Plateau, seasonal freezing and thawing influence soil water movement, and water movement directly influences vegetation growth. However, currently, research with regard to freezing and thawing processes under various vegetation types and the mechanism of soil water movement is lacking. Therefore, the present study explored soil water migration characteristics of two typical vegetation types [arbor land (AL) and shrub land (SL)] on the Loess Plateau during seasonal freezing and thawing processes using bare land (BL) as a control. We used field measured data for hourly soil temperature (ST) and soil water content (SWC) at a depth of 100 cm below the soil surface from November 2017 to March 2018. Freezing and thawing process was divided into three stages based on ST change (initial freezing period, stable freezing period, and thawing period). Compared with previous studies in this area, ST is lower than expected, and SWC migration characteristics are also different. The results revealed that: 1) the maximum freezing depth of AL and SL was 60 cm, which was 30 cm less than that of BL. The freezing date of each soil layer in BL was the earliest and average ST value was the lowest. BL had the highest degree of freezing. The freezing of all soil layers in AL occurred at a later date than that of SL. ST and the minimum soil freezing temperatures were higher than those of SL, and the capacity of AL to resist freezing was higher; 2) the SWCs in AL and BL at depths of 0–10 cm and 10–30 cm decreased, whereas SWCs of AL and BL at a depth of 60 cm increased by 152 and 146%, respectively. The SWCs of SL at soil depths of 0–10 cm, 10–30 cm, and 30–60 cm increased by 46.3, 78.4 and 205%, respectively. The amount and distribution of soil moisture in SL were optimum when compared to those of AL and BL. The results of the present study could provide a scientific basis for vegetation restoration in arid and semi-arid areas of the Loess Plateau.
Effect of the Re-Vitrification of Embryos at Different Stages on Embryonic Developmental Potential
Authors: Li Jingyu , Xiong Shun , Zhao Yanhua , Li Chong , Han Wei , Huang Guoning 
Published: July 2021

BackgroundUsing re-vitrified human embryos for frozen-warmed embryo transfer (FET) is a valuable option when there are no other cryopreserved embryos to use, however, except for the PGT cases, no published data are available for FET with human embryos that were re-vitrified at different developmental stages.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of re-vitrification of embryos at different stages on embryonic developmental potential.MethodThis study included clinical retrospective and mouse experimental studies. For the retrospective study, a total of 25 FET cycles with re-vitrified day 3 embryos (re-vitrification group 1) and 54 FET cycles with re-vitrified day 5 blastocysts (re-vitrification group 2) between January 2015 and December 2019 were included in this study. The corresponding FET cycles with once-vitrified embryos were identified using propensity score (PS) matching according to the time of embryo transfer. For the mouse experimental study, we divided embryos into 5 groups: fresh (group 1), vitrified at the 8-cell stage (group 2), vitrified at the early blastocyst stage (group 3), vitrified at the 8-cell stage, and re-vitrified at the 8-cell (group 4) or early blastocyst stage (group 5). The fresh embryos was selected as control group. The primary outcome in this study was delivery outcomes.ResultsNo significant difference in delivery rate was detected between re-vitrification group 1 (24.00%) and the corresponding control group (28.00%). However, re-vitrification group 2 (46.3%) showed a significant decrease in delivery rate compared with the two corresponding control groups (63.89% and 64.12%) (P &lt; 0.05). Our experiment using mouse embryos also confirmed the clinical data, and showed that re-vitrification at the blastocyst stage following the first round of vitrification at the 8-cell stage reduced the delivery rate. In addition, both re-vitrified groups showed a significantly higher expression level of BAX. However, only re-vitrification at the blastocyst stage increased the expression level of CASPASE3.ConclusionsRe-vitrification at the 8-cell and blastocyst stages has different effects on embryonic developmental potential, as re-vitrification at blastocyst stage following a previous vitrification at 8-cell stage reduced the delivery rate, while vitrification at the 8-cell stage twice achieved comparable pregnancy outcomes to the once-vitrified group.
Identification of the Bisphenol A (BPA) and the Two Analogues BPS and BPF in Cryptorchidism
Authors: Komarowska Marta Diana , Grubczak Kamil , Czerniecki Jan , Hermanowicz Adam , Hermanowicz Justyna Magdalena , Debek Wojciech , Matuszczak Ewa 
Published: July 2021

Objectiveto explore the association of plasma concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), and bisphenol F (BPF) with unilateral cryptorchidism. In addition, to analyze selected demographic and intraoperative characteristics.DesignRetrospective analysis to determine plasma concentrations of total BPA, BPS and BPF using gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS) among prepubertal boys with cryptorchidism and prebupertal male control subjects. During operation, the size, turgor and location of the cryptorchid testes were assessed.Main Outcome MeasurePlasma concentrations of total BPA, BPS and BPF.ResultsIn children with cryptorchidism, plasma levels of BPA, BPS and BPF were significantly higher compared to the control subjects. For BPA, it was: median value: 9.95 ng/mL vs. 5.54 ng/mL, p&lt;0.05. For BPS, it was: median value: 3.93 ng/mL vs. 1.45 ng/mL, p&lt;0.001. For BPF, it was: median value: 3.56 ng/mL vs. 1.83 ng/mL, p&lt;0.05. In cryptorchid group, BPA was detected in 61.4% samples, BPS in 19.3% and BPF in 19.3%. All the three bisphenols were detected in plasma samples of both the healthy subjects and the study cohort. In the latter group, we found significant higher levels of BPA in boys from urban areas. We found a weak positive correlation between the levels of BPS and BPF and reduced turgor of the testes. Furthermore, results showed weak positive correlations between BPA and BPS levels and the age of the children as well as between BPS and BPF concentrations and the place of residence.ConclusionsResults provide a first characterization of prepubertal boys suffering from cryptorchidism and exposed to different kind of bisphenols. Our study suggests that cryptorchid boys are widely exposed to BPA and, to a lesser extent, also to its alternatives, such as BPS and BPF.
Machine Learning to Identify Metabolic Subtypes of Obesity: A Multi-Center Study
Authors: Lin Ziwei , Feng Wenhuan , Liu Yanjun , Ma Chiye , Arefan Dooman , Zhou Donglei , Cheng Xiaoyun , Yu Jiahui , Gao Long , Du Lei , You Hui , Zhu Jiangfan , Zhu Dalong , Wu Shandong , Qu Shen 
Published: July 2021

Background and objectiveClinical characteristics of obesity are heterogenous, but current classification for diagnosis is simply based on BMI or metabolic healthiness. The purpose of this study was to use machine learning to explore a more precise classification of obesity subgroups towards informing individualized therapy.Subjects and MethodsIn a multi-center study (n=2495), we used unsupervised machine learning to cluster patients with obesity from Shanghai Tenth People’s hospital (n=882, main cohort) based on three clinical variables (AUCs of glucose and of insulin during OGTT, and uric acid). Verification of the clustering was performed in three independent cohorts from external hospitals in China (n = 130, 137, and 289, respectively). Statistics of a healthy normal-weight cohort (n=1057) were measured as controls.ResultsMachine learning revealed four stable metabolic different obese clusters on each cohort. Metabolic healthy obesity (MHO, 44% patients) was characterized by a relatively healthy-metabolic status with lowest incidents of comorbidities. Hypermetabolic obesity-hyperuricemia (HMO-U, 33% patients) was characterized by extremely high uric acid and a large increased incidence of hyperuricemia (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 73.67 to MHO, 95%CI 35.46-153.06). Hypermetabolic obesity-hyperinsulinemia (HMO-I, 8% patients) was distinguished by overcompensated insulin secretion and a large increased incidence of polycystic ovary syndrome (AOR 14.44 to MHO, 95%CI 1.75-118.99). Hypometabolic obesity (LMO, 15% patients) was characterized by extremely high glucose, decompensated insulin secretion, and the worst glucolipid metabolism (diabetes: AOR 105.85 to MHO, 95%CI 42.00-266.74; metabolic syndrome: AOR 13.50 to MHO, 95%CI 7.34-24.83). The assignment of patients in the verification cohorts to the main model showed a mean accuracy of 0.941 in all clusters.ConclusionMachine learning automatically identified four subtypes of obesity in terms of clinical characteristics on four independent patient cohorts. This proof-of-concept study provided evidence that precise diagnosis of obesity is feasible to potentially guide therapeutic planning and decisions for different subtypes of obesity.Clinical Trial Registrationwww.ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04282837.
Australian Fires 2019–2020: Tropospheric and Stratospheric Pollution Throughout the Whole Fire Season
Authors: Kloss Corinna , Sellitto Pasquale , von Hobe Marc , Berthet Gwenaël , Smale Dan , Krysztofiak Gisèle , Xue Chaoyang , Qiu Chenxi , Jégou Fabrice , Ouerghemmi Inès , Legras Bernard 
Published: July 2021

The historically large and severe wildfires in Australia from September 2019 to March 2020 are known to have injected a smoke plume into the stratosphere around New Year, due to pyro-cumulonimbus (pyro-Cb) activity, that was subsequently distributed throughout the Southern Hemisphere (SH). We show with satellite, ground based remote sensing, and in situ observations that the fires before New Year, had already a substantial impact on the SH atmosphere, starting as early as September 2019, with subsequent long-range transport of trace gas plumes in the upper-troposphere. Airborne in situ measurements above Southern Argentina in November 2019 show elevated CO mixing ratios at an altitude of 11 km and can be traced back using FLEXPART trajectories to the Australian fires in mid-November 2019. Ground based solar-FTS (Fourier Transform Spectroscopy) observations of biomass burning tracers CO, HCN and C2H6 at Lauder, South Island, New Zealand show enhanced tropospheric columns already starting in September 2019. In MLS observations averaged over 30°–60°S, enhanced CO mixing ratios compared to previous years become visible in late October 2019 only at and below the 147 hPa pressure level. Peak differences are found with satellite and ground-based observations for all altitude levels in the Southern Hemisphere in January. With still increased aerosol values following the Ulawun eruption in 2019, averaged satellite observations show no clear stratospheric and upper-tropospheric aerosol enhancements from the Australian fires, before the pyro-Cb events at the end of December 2019. However, with the clear enhancement of fire tracers, we suggest the period September to December 2019 (prior to the major pyro-Cb events) should be taken into account in terms of fire pollutant emissions when studying the impact of the Australian fires on the SH atmosphere.
Innate Immune Cytokine Profiling and Biomarker Identification for Outcome in Dengue Patients
Authors: Pradeep Sai Pallavi , Hoovina Venkatesh Pooja , Manchala Nageswar R. , Vayal Veedu Arjun , Basavaraju Rajani K. , Selvasundari Leela , Ramakrishna Manikanta , Chandrakiran Yogitha , Krishnamurthy Vishwanath , Holigi Shivaranjani , Thomas Tinku , Ross Cecil R. , Dias Mary , Satchidanandam Vijaya 
Published: July 2021

BackgroundEarly biomarkers of progression to severe dengue are urgently required to enable effective patient management and control treatment costs. Innate immune cells, which comprise the earliest responders to infection and along with the cytokines and chemokines they secrete, play a vital role in orchestrating the subsequent adaptive immune response and have been implicated in the enhancement of infection and “cytokine storm” associated with dengue severity. We investigated the early innate immune cytokine profile of dengue patients during acute phase of disease in a prospective blinded study that included subjects with acute dengue and febrile controls from four major hospitals in Bengaluru, India along with healthy controls. We used intracellular cytokine staining and flow cytometry to identify innate immune biomarkers that can predict progression to severe dengue.ResultsDengue infection resulted in enhanced secretion of multiple cytokines by all queried innate immune cell subsets, dominated by TNF-α from CD56+CD3+ NKT cells, monocyte subsets, and granulocytes along with IFN-γ from CD56+CD3+ NKT cells. Of note, significantly higher proportions of TNF-α secreting granulocytes and monocyte subsets at admission were associated with mild dengue and minimal symptoms. Dengue NS1 antigenemia used as a surrogate of viral load directly correlated with proportion of cytokine-secreting innate immune cells and was significantly higher in those who went on to recover with minimal symptoms. In patients with secondary dengue or those with bleeding or elevated liver enzymes who revealed predisposition to severe outcomes, early activation as well as efficient downregulation of innate responses were compromised.ConclusionOur findings suggested that faulty/delayed kinetics of innate immune activation and downregulation was a driver of disease severity. We identified IFN-γ+CD56+CD3+ NKT cells and IL-6+ granulocytes at admission as novel early biomarkers that can predict the risk of progression to severity (composite AUC = 0.85–0.9). Strong correlations among multiple cytokine-secreting innate cell subsets revealed that coordinated early activation of the entire innate immune system in response to dengue virus infection contributed to resolution of infection and speedy recovery.
Effects of Different Treatment of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Techniques on Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in Rats
Authors: Zhu Fangyuan , Ke Yifan , Luo Yiting , Wu Jiaqian , Wu Pei , Ma Fangxiao , Liu Yingchao 
Published: July 2021

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic non-specific inflammatory bowel disease with abdominal pain, mucus, pus and blood in the stool as the main clinical manifestations. The pathogenesis of UC is still not completely clear, and multiple factors, such as genetic susceptibility, immune response, intestinal microecological changes and environmental factors, together lead to the onset of UC. In recent years, the role of intestinal microbiota disturbances on the pathogenesis of UC has received widespread attention. Therefore, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), which changes the intestinal microecological environment of UC patients by transplantation of normal fecal bacteria, has attracted increasing attention from researchers. However, there are no guidelines to recommend fresh FMT or frozen FMT in the treatment of UC, and there are few studies on this. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the effects of fresh and frozen FMT methods on the treatment of experimental UC models in rats.Results: Compared with the model control group, all FMT groups achieved better efficacy, mainly manifested as weight gain by the rats, improvements in fecal characteristics and blood stools, reduced inflammatory factors and normal bacterial microbiota. The efficacy of the frozen FMT group was better than that of the fresh FMT group in terms of behavior and colon length.Conclusion: FMT method supplements the gut microbiota with beneficial bacteria, such as short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria. These bacteria can regulate intestinal function, protect the mucosal barrier and reduce harmful bacteria, thus mitigating the damage to the intestinal barrier and the associated inflammatory response, resulting in UC remission. FMT is a feasible method for treating UC, with frozen FMT having a superior therapeutic effect than that of fresh FMT.
The Potential Role of hsa_circ_0005505 in the Rupture of Human Intracranial Aneurysm
Authors: Chen Xin , Yang Shuzhe , Yang Junhua , Liu Qingyuan , Li Maogui , Wu Jun , Wang Hao , Wang Shuo 
Published: July 2021

Objective: Recently, abundant number of studies have revealed many functions of circular RNAs in multiple diseases, however, the role of circular RNA in the rupture of human intracranial aneurysm is still unknown. This study aims to explore the potential functions of circular RNA in the rupture of human intracranial aneurysms.Methods: The differentially expressed circular RNAs between un-ruptured intracranial aneurysms (n = 5) and ruptured intracranial aneurysms (n = 5) were analyzed with the Arraystar human circRNAs microarray. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to verify the results of the circRNA microarray. The role of circular RNA in intracranial aneurysm rupture was assessed in vitro. MTT assay, CCK-8 assay, Caspase3/7 assay, assay of cell apoptosis and Celigo wound healing was conducted to evaluate the relationship between circular RNA and the rupture of human intracranial aneurysms.Results: A total of 13,175 circRNA genes were detected. Among them 63 circRNAs upregulated and 54 circRNAs downregulated significantly in ruptured intracranial aneurysms compared with un-ruptured intracranial aneurysms (p &lt; 0.05 Fold Change &gt; 1.5). Five upregulated circRNAs were selected for further study (hsa_circ_0001947, hsa_circ_0043001, hsa_circ_0064557, hsa_circ_0058514, hsa_circ_0005505). The results of qPCR showed only hsa_circ_0005505 significantly upregulated (p &lt; 0.05). The expression of hsa_circ_0005505 was higher in ruptured intracranial aneurysm tissues. And our in vitro data showed that hsa_circRNA_005505 promotes the proliferation, migration and suppresses the apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cell.Conclusion: This study revealed an important role of hsa_circ_0005505 in the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cell, and indicated that hsa_circ_0005505 may associate with the pathological process of intracranial aneurysms.
Altered Topological Properties of Static/Dynamic Functional Networks and Cognitive Function After Radiotherapy for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Using Resting-State fMRI
Authors: Leng Xi , Qin Chunhong , Lin Huan , Li Mingrui , Zhao Kui , Wang Hongzhuo , Duan Fuhong , An Jie , Wu Donglin , Liu Qihui , Qiu Shijun 
Published: July 2021

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to (1) explore the changes in topological properties of static and dynamic brain functional networks after nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) radiotherapy (RT) using rs-fMRI and graph theoretical analysis, (2) explore the correlation between cognitive function and changes in brain function, and (3) add to the understanding of the pathogenesis of radiation brain injury (RBI).MethodsFifty-four patients were divided into 3 groups according to time after RT: PT1 (0–6 months); PT2 (&gt;6 to ≤12 months); and PT3 (&gt;12 months). 29 normal controls (NCs) were included. The subjects’ topological properties were evaluated by graph-theoretic network analysis, the functional connectivity of static functional networks was calculated using network-based statistics, and the dynamic functional network matrix was subjected to cluster analysis. Finally, correlation analyses were conducted to explore the relationship between the altered network parameters and cognitive function.ResultsAssortativity, hierarchy, and network efficiency were significantly abnormal in the PT1 group compared with the NC or PT3 group. The small-world variance in the PT3 group was smaller than that in NCs. The Nodal ClustCoeff of Postcentral_R in the PT2 group was significantly smaller than that in PT3 and NC groups. Functional connectivities were significantly reduced in the patient groups. Most of the functional connectivities of the middle temporal gyrus (MTG) were shown to be significantly reduced in all three patient groups. Most of the functional connectivities of the insula showed significantly reduced in the PT1 and PT3 groups, and most of the functional connectivities in brain regions such as frontal and parietal lobes showed significantly reduced in the PT2 and PT3 groups. These abnormal functional connectivities were correlated with scores on multiple scales that primarily assessed memory, executive ability, and overall cognitive function. The frequency F of occurrence of various states in each subject differed significantly, and the interaction effect of group and state was significant.ConclusionThe disruption of static and dynamic functional network stability, reduced network efficiency and reduced functional connectivity may be potential biomarkers of RBI. Our findings may provide new insights into the pathogenesis of RBI from the perspective of functional networks.
Mapping Knowledge Structure and Research Frontiers of Ultrasound-Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Opening: A Scientometric Study
Authors: Wu Haiyang , Zhou Yan , Xu Lixia , Tong Linjian , Wang Yulin , Liu Baolong , Yan Hua , Sun Zhiming 
Published: July 2021

Background: Among the effective approaches developed for blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening, ultrasound is recognized as a non-invasive technique that can induce localized BBB opening transiently and repeatedly. This technique has aroused broad attention from researchers worldwide, and numerous articles have been published recently. However, no existing study has systematically examined this field from a scientometric perspective. The aim of this study was to summarize the knowledge structure and identify emerging trends and potential hotspots in this field.Methods: Publications related to ultrasound-induced BBB opening published from 1998 to 2020 were retrieved from Web of Science Core Collection. The search strategies were as follows: topic: (“blood brain barrier” OR “BBB”) AND topic: (ultrasound OR ultrason* OR acoustic* OR sonopora*). The document type was set to articles or reviews with language restriction to English. Three different analysis tools including one online platform, VOS viewer1.6.16, and CiteSpace V5.7.R2 software were used to conduct this scientometric study.Results: A total of 1,201 valid records were included in the final analysis. The majority of scientific publication was produced by authors from North America, Eastern Asia, and Western Europe. Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology was the most prominent journal. The USA, China, and Canada were the most productive countries. Hynynen K, and Mcdannold N were key researchers with considerable academic influence. According to analysis of keywords, four main research directions were identified: cluster 1 (microbubbles study), cluster 2 (management of intracranial tumors), cluster 3 (ultrasound parameters and mechanisms study), and cluster 4 (treatment of neurodegenerative diseases). The current research hotspot has shifted from the basic research of ultrasound and microbubbles to management of intracranial tumors and neurodegenerative diseases. Burst detection analysis showed that Parkinson's disease, doxorubicin, gold nanoparticle, glioblastoma, gene therapy, and Alzheimer's disease may continue to be the research frontiers.Conclusion: Ultrasound-induced BBB opening research is in a period of robust development. This study is a starting point, providing a comprehensive overview, development landscape, and future opportunities of this technology, which standout as a useful reference for researchers and decision makers interested in this area.