bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Higher Uric Acid Serum Levels Are Associated With Sarcopenia In West China: Results From The WCHAT Study
Authors: Liu Xiaolei , Chen Xiaoyan , Hu Fengjuan , Hou Lisha , Xia Xin , Luo Shuyue , Zhang Gongchang , Peng Xuchao , Sun Xulian , Yue Jirong , Dong Birong 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: Sarcopenia is the decline in muscle strength and mass attributed to aging. The pathogenesis of sarcopenia may be triggered by oxidative stress and uric acid (UA) has strong antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between UA and sarcopenia in community-dwelling adults of West China using the baseline data of West China Health and Aging Trend (WCHAT) study. Methods: 4236 adults aged 50 years or older in communities of west China were enrolled in this study. We applied AWGS 2019 criteria to define sarcopenia. Muscle mass was measured using skeletal muscle index (SMI) based on bioimpedance analysis (BIA). Handgrip strength (HGS) and gait speed (GS) were recorded, respectively. Different variables like anthropometry measures, life styles, chronic disease and blood test were collected.Results: Participants were grouped according to UA quartiles by gender. After adjusting for potential confounders, a significant association between serum UA levels and sarcopenia was shown both in men and women. And a significant association between serum UA levels and HGS in women was shown as a inverted J shape. Besides, the association between the UA quartiles and SMI was significant, irrespective of gender.Conclusions: Our results showed that a specific range of serum UA levels might be associated with sarcopenia and better HGS or SMI among Chinese adults aged over 50. Higher UA serum levels might slow down the progression of sarcopenia.
Health Disparity in Effective Cervical Cancer Screening: Findings from a National Survey of U.S.
Authors: Zheng Feiyang , Zhou Liqin , Wu Xiang 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: Cervical cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer death for women, but it can often be detected early and sometimes even prevented entirely by having regular tests. An effective way to prevent cervical cancer is to have screening tests. Even though cervical cancer screening programs are implemented in many countries and regions especially in developed countries, cervical cancer incidence has not been effectively controlled and there is still certain health disparity in the population. Inappropriate screening frequency may be the cause of the health disparity. Methods: Drawing on the data from the 2017 Health Information National Trends Survey (Cycle5.1), a national survey conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), we characterized cervical cancer screening (CCS) as two dimensions by the item of screening frequency, namely, active screening and effective screening. We compared the differences between these two screening behavior applying ordered logistic regression and binary logistic regression, and explored the mechanisms of effective screening. Results: The impact factors differed between active screening and effective screening based on theory. Only self-efficacy (β=0.16, p=0.023) had a positively significant association with active screening behavior and both online health information seeking (β=-0.102, p<0.001) and social media participation (β=-0.466, p=0.001) negatively and significantly influenced effective screening behavior. Second, a theory-based mechanism of effective screening behavior found that traditional health perception factors no longer influence effective screening behavior, while environmental factors (social media) significantly reduce women's effective screening. In addition, the higher the level of education, the less inclined to conduct effective screening, but the more inclined to active screening for cervical cancer. Conclusions: Our results indicate that while the Internet has become the main channel through which women acquire health resources, and social media has become a main platform for people to obtain health information, online information cannot guide people to engage in appropriate healthy behaviors. Overloading of online health information and digital divide may cause excessive screening or screening avoidance. Consequently, we must pay attention to the health disparity caused by unreasonable health behaviors caused by factors such as environmental factors and the divide in the use of IT.
Multifunctional nanoparticle-mediated SHARP1 knockdown in MLL-AF6 acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Mohammed Sameh A. , Ju Yang 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has an extremely poor prognosis and high relapse and fatality rates. We targeted SHARP1 using multifunctional small interfering RNA (siRNA) and bortezomib (BTZ)-loaded cRGD-guided PEGylated cationic liposomal nanoparticles to monitor their antileukemic activity in MLL-AF6 AML cells. Efficient siRNA/BTZ co-delivery by the nanoparticles significantly inhibited cell viability, decreasing clonogenic growth of AML cells and stimulating robust apoptosis. We hypothesized that SHARP1 downregulation induced nonfunctional MLL-AF6, DOT1L, MEN1, and LEDGF fusion protein accumulation, preventing MLL-AF complex formation and downregulating RAS-GTP and Bcl-2, consequently triggering autophagy and apoptosis. The BTZ combination substantially augmented therapeutic synergy leading to enhanced autophagic and apoptotic events. Our findings demonstrate a state-of-the-art biodegradable nanoplatform for siRNA/BTZ co-delivery with targeted SHARP1 knockdown, demonstrating a potential therapeutic option for MLL-AF6 AML.
Vancomycin-Induced Modulation of Gram-Positive Gut Bacteria And Metabolites Remediate Insulin Resistance In INOS Knockout Mice
Authors: Aggarwal Hobby , Pathak Priya , Singh Vishal , Kumar Yashwant , Shankar Manoharan , Das Bhabatosh , Jagavelu Kumaravelu , Dikshit Madhu 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) has emerged as a crucial regulator of host metabolism and gut microbiota activity. The present study examines the role of the gut microbiome in determining host metabolic functions in absence of iNOS.Results: Insulin resistant and dyslipidemic iNOS-/- mice displayed reduced microbial diversity, with a higher relative abundance of the gram-positive bacteria, Allobaculum and Bifidobacterium, and altered serum metabolites linked with the metabolic dysregulation. Vancomycin, which largely depletes gram-positive bacteria, reversed the insulin resistance (IR), dyslipidemia, and related metabolic abnormalities in iNOS-/- mice. Such correction in metabolic markers was accompanied by reduced the expression of genes involved in fatty acid synthesis in liver and adipose tissue, decreased lipid uptake by adipose tissue and enhanced lipid efflux by liver and intestine. Rescue of IR in vancomycin treated iNOS-/- mice was associated with the alterations in the select serum metabolites such as 10-hydroxydecanoate, indole-3-ethanol, allantoin, hippurate, sebacic acid, aminoadipate, and ophthalmate, along with improvement in phosphatidylethanolamine to phosphatidylcholine (PE/PC) ratio.Conclusions: Vancomycin-mediated depletion of gram-positive bacteria negates the detrimental metabolic effect, dyslipidemia and IR, observed in iNOS-/- mice.
Correlation of Autophagy-Related Genes in High Risk and Low Risk Signatures Based on Prognostic Index Model SKCM Patient
Authors: Zhang Kun , Liang Yan , Tian Ruoxi , Zeng Ning , Wang Guiying , Tang Shijie 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Autophagy plays a dual role in tumor development and autophagy-related genes (ARGs) involved in the development of cancer. However, the correlation between these high and low risk ARGs is still unclear. To systematically study the relationship between ARGs and melanoma patients, the expression profiles of ARGs were integratedly analyzed based on the TCGA and GTEx dataset. The results suggested 8-ARGs marker can predict the prognosis of skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM), 5-ARGs (CFLAR, DAPK2, ITGA6, DNAJB9 and RGS19) were low risk index, 3-ARGs (EIF2AK2, EGFR and PTK6) were high risk index. Further validation showed CFLAR, DNAJB9 and PTK6 were significant related to SKCM. In tumor immunization, CFLAR and DNAJB9 have stronger correlation with tumor immune cells, and there is a significant positive correlation among the low risk genes. However, there is no significant correlation between the high and low risk factors. In addition, our results also showed that CFLAR and PTK6 were significantly negatively correlated with tumor purity; PTK6 was significantly positively correlated with patient's age, CFLAR was significantly negatively correlated with patient's age; CFLAR and DNAJB9 were significantly positively correlated in purity and age. It provides a new prognostic indicator for patients and a new idea for the mechanism of autophagy in melanoma.
Correlation of Prognostic Biomarker SLC25A1 with Immune Infiltrates in Low-Grade Gliomas
Authors: Qian Li , Lu Shu-min , He Xin , Huang Hua , Zhang Jianguo 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: Glioma is the most common primary malignant tumor of the central nervous system (CNS), and low-grade glioma (LGG) is an important pathological type of glioma. Immune infiltration of tumor microenvironment is an independent predictor of survival and prognosis in LGG patients. SLC25A1 is a gene that has not been reported in LGG. We used the TCGA database to study the expression level of SLC25A1 in LGG tissues and its relationship with the prognosis of LGG patients and tumor immune cell infiltration.Methods: Download gene expression profile data and clinical information of LGG patients from the TCGA database. The expression level of SLC25A1 gene in LGG tissues and normal tissues was compared. The expression level of SLC25A1 gene in LGG tissue samples with different WHO grades and its relationship with the prognosis of patients were analyzed. The correlation between clinical information and SLC25A1 expression was analyzed by Logistic regression. The effect of SLC25A1 on survival of LGG patients was evaluated by survival module. The correlation between SLC25A1 gene expression and tumor immune cell infiltration in LGG and the effect of immune cell infiltration on the prognosis of patients were analyzed by using the relevant modules of GEPIA. The gene groups related to SLC25A1 expression were analyzed by KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. In addition, TCGA dataset was used for gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA).Result: The expression level of SLC25A1 gene in LGG tissues was higher than that in normal tissues. The expression of SLC25A1 in WHO Ⅱ LGG tissues was higher than that in WHO Ⅲ tissues. Multivariate analysis showed that the up-regulated expression of SLC25A1 was an independent prognostic factor for good prognosis in patients with LGG. There was a correlation between the expression level of SLC25A1 and the level of immune cell infiltration of LGG, and the latter affects the prognosis of patients with LGG. In addition, GSEA also found that Neuroactive ligand receptor interaction, cell adhesion molecules cams and so on were differentially enriched in the phenotypic pathway of high expression of SLC25A1. In the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genome and Genome (KEGG), Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, Morphine addiction et al have been identified as differential enrichment pathways.Conclusion: SLC25A1 is the prognosis of LGG related to immune cell infiltration, and may become a biomarker of LGG grade diagnosis, immunotherapy and prognosis.
Identification of Biomarkers Related to Prognosis of Glioblastoma and Their Correlation with Immune Infiltration Cells
Authors: Ding Wencong , Jiang Guoqiang , Long Songkai , Liao Yongshi , Liu Jia 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant of all known intracranial tumors, meanwhile most patients have a poor prognosis. In order to improve the poor prognosis of GBM patients as much as possible, it is specifically significant to identify biomarkers related to the gene diagnosis and gene therapy. Herein, a total of 343 GBM specimens and 259 non-tumor specimens were collected from four Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets and TCGA database, and then analyzed the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from the above data. Through Venn diagram analysis, 54 common upregulated DEGs and 22 common downregulated DEGs were triumphantly recognized. On account of the degree of formation communication in Protein-protein interaction network (PPIN), the 10 upregulated central genes had been ranked, incorporating LOX, IGFBP3, CD44, TIMP1, FN1, VEGFA, POSTN, COL1A1, COL1A2 and COL3A1. By combining the expression levels and the clinical features of GBM, four hub genes (TIMP1, FN1, POSTN and LOX) were significantly up-regulated and related to poor prognosis. Meanwhile, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis results suggested that TIMP1 could be one of the independent prognostic factors for GBM patients. Subsequently, TIMP1 was particularly correlated with the immune marker of macrophage M1, macrophage M2, Neutrophils, tumor associated macrophage and Tregs. In conclusion, these findings investigated that TIMP1 might be a new biomarker to determine prognosis and immune infiltration of GBM patients.
The Epidermal Microbiome Within An Aggregation of Leopard Sharks (Triakis Semifasciata) Has Taxonomic Flexibility With Gene Functional Stability Across Three Time-Points
Authors: Doane Michael , Johnson Colton , Johri Shaili , Kerr Emma N. , Morris Megan M. , Desantiago Ric , Turnlund Abigail C. , Goodman Asha , Mora Maria , Lima Laís Farias Oliveira , Nosal Andrew P. , Dinsdale Elizabeth A. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: The epidermis of Chondrichthyan fishes consists of dermal denticles with production of minimal but protein rich mucus that influence the attachment and biofilm development of microbes, facilitating a unique epidermal microbiome. Here, we use metagenomics to provide the taxonomic and functional characterization of the epidermal microbiome of the Triakis semifasciata (leopard shark) across three time-points to identify links between microbial groups and host metabolism. Our aims include 1) describing the variation of microbiome taxa over time and identify those members which are recurrent (present across all time-points, 2) investigating the relationship between the recurrent and flexible taxa (those which are not found consistently across time-points, 3) describing the functional compositions of the microbiome which may suggest links with the host metabolism; and 4) identifying whether the metabolisms are share across microbial genera or found in specific taxa. Results: Microbial members of the microbiome showed high similarity between all individuals (average similarity: 82.74) with relative abundance of those members varying across years, suggesting flexibility of taxa in the microbiome. One hundred and eighty-eight genera were identified as recurrent, including Pseudomonas, Erythrobacter, Alcanivorax, Marinobacter and Sphingopxis being consistently abundance across time-points, while Limnobacter and Xyella exhibited switching patterns with high relative abundance in 2013, Sphingobium and Sphingomona in 2015, and Altermonas, Leeuwenhoekiella, Gramella and Maribacter in 2017. Of the 188 genera identified as recurrent, the top 19 relative abundant genera forming three recurrent groups. The microbiome also displayed high functional similarity between individuals (average similarity: 97.65) with gene function composition being consistent across time-points. Conclusion: These results show that while presence of microbial genera exhibit consistency across time-points, their abundances do fluctuate. Functions however remain stable across time points; thus, we suggest the leopard shark microbiomes exhibit functional redundancy. We hypothesize this may be the result of the host’s epidermal attributes structuring the microbiome. In addition, we show the co-existence of many microbial genera that carry genes which may enable the microbes to use the nutrients provided by the elasmobranch’s metabolism.
Elasticity and substitutability of food demand and emerging disease risk on livestock farms
Authors: Delabouglise Alexis , Fournie Guillaume , Antoine-Moussiaux Nicolas , Peyre Marisa , Boni Maciej F. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Disease emergence in livestock is a product of environment, epidemiology, and economic forces. The environmental and epidemiological factors contributing to novel pathogen emergence in humans have been studied extensively, but the two-way relationship between farm microeconomics and outbreak risk has received comparably little attention. We introduce a game-theoretic model where farmers produce and sell two goods one of which (e.g. pigs, poultry) is susceptible to infection by a pathogen potentially dangerous to humans. We model market effects and epidemiological effects at both the individual farm level and the community level. The addition of a second good into this modeling framework ensures that producing a unit of livestock has an opportunity cost. We find that in the case of low demand elasticity for livestock meat, the presence of an animal pathogen causing large production losses can lead to a bistable system where two outcomes are possible, depending on the economic inputs into the system. One outcome is succesful disease control. The second outcome, a potentially dangerous one, is a stable equilibrium where farmers slaughter their animals at a low rate, face substantial production losses, but maintain large herds because of the appeal of high meat market prices, therefore maintaining disease circulation. We show the potential epidemiological benefits to (i) policies aimed at stabilizing livestock product prices, (ii) subsidies for alternative agricultural activities during epidemics, and (iii) diversifying agricultural production and sources of proteins available to consumers.
Innovative Financing of the Sustainable Development Goals in the Countries of Western Balkans
Authors: Luksic Igor , Boskovic Bojana , Novikova Aleksandra , Vrbensky Rastislav 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: This paper is related to the current stage of the development in the Western Balkans. Despite becoming a growing instrument to finance sustainable development green, debt swaps and social or sustainability bonds are a relative novelty in this region. At the same time the development needs are huge, especially in the light of the Covid-19 aftermath. Results: We have analyzed the public debt position in the Western Balkans countries which points to the deteriorated new debt accumulation perspective especially in the light of the growing public debt over the past decade. Our research suggests that the ESG/Sustainability-linked bonds and debt-for-climate swaps as innovative financial instruments seem to be promising to leverage additional finance into sustainability goals in the Western Balkans Six given their need on the EU track and their economic and structural challenges. After briefly discussing the methodological approach, we discuss the history and features of green bonds and debt-for-nature swaps and their diverse underlying mechanisms. Then we derive recommendations for policymakers in designing future green bonds and debt-for-nature swaps and apply these to national circumstances in the Western Balkans Six. Conclusions: The related countries need to explore more innovative approaches to finance sustainable societies. In the close cooperation with the EU and related to the European Green Deal countries of the Western Balkans six should feel motivated to design financing mechanisms that will bring in the more transparency into the different policies and the more accountability for their implementation. The EU should stand ready to use its cohesive and pre-accession funds to support such market mechanisms, which can bring the cooperation to the next level. Applying the recommended modality may help keep the problem of the public debt be kept at bay while additional funds may support implementation of thestructural reforms.
Three-Dimensional Probabilistic Analysis of The Surface Settlement Based On Spatial Variability of Soil Properties: Case Study Zarbalizadeh NATM Tunnel
Authors: Tahmasebi Mohammad Ali , Shirinabadi Reza , Rahimi Esmaiel , Moosavi Ehsan , Tabrizi Amir Hossein Bangian 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Designing and the construction of a tunnel in urban areas has their own specific considerations. Usually, excessive settlement caused by tunneling during construction damages the adjacent infrastructures and utilities, especially if the tunnel is excavated by the new Austrian tunneling method (NATM). Thus, it’s important to make accurate predictions and effective control on tunneling-induced settlement. In this study, the soil’s Young’s modulus was modeled using a three-dimensional random field and coupled with a finite difference method (FDM) analysis to reveal the influence of scale of fluctuation (SOF) on the maximum surface settlement (Smax). To generate the field of soil’s Young’s modulus, the Fourier series method is employed and sensitivity studies are further performed via Monte-Carlo simulations (MCS). The results demonstrate both the mean value of Smax and its coefficient of variation (COV) increase from 28 mm to 31 mm and from 0.02 to 0.35 respectively, with an increasing horizontal SOF but they stabilize at higher values of SOF. Furthermore, the probability of failure increases as COV increases for each allowable limit greater than the verification FDM of Smax. It is observed that ignoring the spatial variability of soil’s properties leads to an underestimate of the risk of excessive surface settlement.
Distinct Effects of The Hippocampal Transplantation of Neural And Mesenchymal Stem Cell In a Transgenic Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Campos Henrique Correia , Ribeiro Deidiane Elisa , Hashiguchi Debora , Hukuda Deborah , Gimenes Christiane , Romariz Simone , Ye Qing , Tang Yong , Ulrich Henning , Longo Beatriz Monteiro 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a highly disabling condition, with no cure currently available that accounts for 60-70% of all dementia cases worldwide. Therefore, the study of possible therapeutic strategies for AD is required. For that, animal models which resemble the main aspects of AD has been largely employed. Similar to AD patients, the double transgenic APPswe/PS1dE9 (APP/PS1) mice presents amyloid-β (Αβ) plaques in the cortex and hippocampus, hyperlocomotion, cognitive deficits, and exacerbated inflammatory response. Recent studies showed that these neuropathological features were reversed by the transplantation of stem cells. However, the comparison of the effects induced by neural (NSC) or mesenchymal (MSC) stem cells was never investigated in an AD animal model before. In view of that, the present study aimed to evaluate whether NSC or MSC transplantation into the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice reverse AD-related alterations, namely locomotor activity (open field test), short- and long-term memory (object recognition test), Αβ plaques formation (6-E10 immune staining) and microglia activation (Iba-1 immune staining) in the hippocampus. NSC and MSC engraftment reduced the number of hippocampal Αβ plaques in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice, and NSC reverted the peripheral hyperlocomotion activity displayed by APP/PS1 mice. Surprisingly, NSC increased microglia activation in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice and no impairment in short or long-term memory was observed in APP/PS1 mice. Altogether, this study reinforces the possible beneficial effects of NSC or MSC transplantation in the AD treatment.