bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatial and Temporal Variations of Freezing and Thawing Indices From 1960 to 2020 in Mongolia
Authors: Dashtseren Avirmed , Temuujin Khurelbaatar , Westermann Sebastian , Batbold Altangerel , Amarbayasgalan Yondon , Battogtokh Dorjgotov 
Published: November 2021

Mongolia is one of the most sensitive regions to climate change, located in the transition of several natural and permafrost zones. Long-term trends in air freezing and thawing indices can therefore enhance our understanding of climate change. This study focuses on changes of the spatiotemporal patterns in air freezing and thawing indices over Mongolia from 1960 to 2020, using observations at 30 meteorological stations. Our results shows that the freezing index ranges from −945.5 to −4,793.6°C day, while the thawing index ranges from 1,164.4 to 4,021.3°C day over Mongolia, and their spatial patterns clearly link to the latitude and altitude. During the study period, the trend in the thawing index (14.4°C-day per year) was larger than the trend in the freezing index (up to −10.1°C-day per year), which results in the net increase of air temperature by 2.4°C across Mongolia. Overall, the increase in the thawing index was larger in the low latitudes and altitudes (e.g., the Gobi-desert, steppes, the Great lake depression and major river valleys) than in high latitudes and altitudes (mountain regions), while it was the opposite for the freezing index. The highest values for both thawing index and freezing index (i.e. the least negative values) have occurred during the last 2 decades. As the trends in the freezing and thawing indices and mean annual air temperature confirm intensive climate warming, increased permafrost degradation and shallower seasonally frozen ground are expected throughout Mongolia.
Circulating CTRP7 Is a Potential Predictor for Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Hu Wenjing , Zhan Bin , Li Qinge , Yang Gangyi , Yang Mengliu , Tan Minghong , Geng Shan , Liu Hua , Chen Chen , Liu Dongfang , Li Ling 
Published: November 2021

BackgroundPrevious animal studies have revealed that CTRP7 is related to energy metabolism. However, little is known regarding the relationship between CTRP7 and metabolic diseases in humans. Hence, this study was designed to explore the association between CTRP7 and MetS through a cross-sectional study and multiple intervention studies.MethodsA total of 624 individuals were enrolled in this study. The levels of CTRP7 and APN were determined by ELISA kit. HEC, OGTT and lipid infusion were performed in heathy individuals to investigate the association of CTRP7 and glucose, insulin and FFA. Bioinformatics analysis was then undertaken to identify genes and signaling pathways associated with CTRP7. The relationship between CTRP7 with MetS components was also evaluated.ResultsIn MetS patients, serum CTRP7 concentrations were significantly higher than in healthy controls, and was positively correlated with WC, BP, FBG, 2h-BG and TG, but negatively correlated with HDL-C and APN. Multivariate logistic regression analysis uncovered that CTRP7 was strongly correlated with the occurrence of MetS. In addition, circulating levels of CTRP7 in patients with two or more MetS components were higher than those with one MetS component. In the intervention studies, OGTTs resulted in a significant reduction in serum CTRP7 concentration. However, the increase in insulin levels caused by EHC and the increase of FFA caused by lipid-infusion led to the significant increase of serum CTRP7 concentration. Meanwhile, bioinformatics analysis revealed that CTRP7 was strongly associated with metabolism-related genes and signal pathways, which further illustrate the association of CTRP7 with whole-body metabolism.ConclusionsSerum CTRP7 is increased in MetS patients, which may be a biomarker related to metabolic diseases.Clinical Trial Registration NumberChiCTR2000032878
Nitrous Oxide Consumption Potential in a Semi-Arid Agricultural System: Effects of Conservation Soil Management and Nitrogen Timing on nosZ Mediated N2O Consumption
Authors: McDonald Mark D. , Lewis Katie L. , DeLaune Paul B. , Boutton Thomas W. , Reed Jacob D. , Gentry Terry J. 
Published: November 2021

Agricultural soils account for less than 10% of the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States but about 75% of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. Soil conservation practices, such as no-tillage, have the potential to mitigate GHG emissions. We examined the short-term consequences of no-tillage with a winter wheat cover crop (NTW) and no-tillage winter fallow (NT) on N2O emissions, N2O reducing bacterial populations, and overall soil bacterial abundance during the summer growing season in the southern Great Plains, United States. Conservation practices were coupled with nitrogen (N) fertilizer application timing (100% pre-plant, 100% mid-season, 40% pre-plant 60% mid-season, 100% pre-plant with N stabilizer). In addition, N2O emissions were measured to determine any functional effects of altering N fertilizer timing and changing bacterial populations. The combination of N treatment and conservation practice affected nosZ clade II abundance in the second year of the study. Diversity of nosZ clade II was evaluated to determine effects on non-typical N2O reducers which were highly abundant in this study. No nosZ clade II diversity effects were determined, although some clustering of conservation system and N treatments was observed in the second year. Nitrogen treatment affected N2O-N emissions during the summer of both years, likely related to overall increased microbial activity and N fertilizer application. Negative fluxes (consumption) of N2O-N were observed in every treatment and tillage combination and were most pronounced in the control (0 kg N ha−1). Negative fluxes are likely due to a combination of low inorganic-N concentrations at various points during the year and a robust clade II population driving N2O consumption. Altering conservation system and the timing of N fertilizer application affects the microbial community and will likely continue to select for unique communities as the system matures. This will also likely further impact N2O emissions from the system and may increase the rate and frequency of N2O consumption.
Factors for Visual Acuity Improvement After Anti-VEGF Treatment of Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration in China: 12 Months Follow up
Authors: Lu Yan , Huang Wenzhi , Zhang Yuehong , Huang Xiongfei , Zhang Xu , Ma Haizhi , Ren Guoliang , Shi Feng , Kuang Lihui , Yan Shigang , Luo Shuke , Zhang Junyan , He Jingfang , Yang Weizhong , Gao Zongyin , Leng Yunxia 
Published: November 2021

Purpose: To evaluate the treatment solutions and effectiveness of intravitreal ranibizumab (RBZ) or conbercept in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) in a real-life setting in China.Methods: The medical records of 368 patients with wAMD who started RBZ or conbercept treatment between 1 May 2014 and 30 April 2018 were evaluated. All patients were defined on fundus angiography at baseline to determine the subtype of AMD (PCV or CNV). We report visual acuity (VA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) measurements at baseline and 12 months.Results: The average number of anti-VEGF injections was 2.1 ± 1.2. The BCVA improvement of these two groups was similar with a difference of 1.00 letter (95% CI: −1.4~3.4, p = 0.8505). At the end of the study, a BCVA increase of at least 5 letters was determined to be a satisfactory efficacy endpoint. Several factors were related to the possible improvement in the satisfactory efficacy endpoint, including female sex (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.22~3.51), number of injections (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.12~1.75) and VA change at the first month (OR 13.75, 95% CI 7.41~25.51). Additionally, some factors were related to the possible reduction in the satisfactory efficacy endpoint, including diabetes (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.10~0.73) and disease history (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.57~0.98).Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that anti-VEGF drugs can effectively improve BCVA and reduce CRT in AMD patients. Sex, number of injections, VA change at the first month, diabetes and disease history are the most important factors affecting visual acuity.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Visible Perivascular Spaces in the Basal Ganglia Are Associated With the Diabetic Retinopathy Stage and Cognitive Decline in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Choi Eun Young , Park Yae Won , Lee Minyoung , Kim Min , Lee Christopher Seungkyu , Ahn Sung Soo , Kim Jinna , Lee Seung-Koo 
Published: November 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether perivascular space (PVS) severity and retinal ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness differed based on the stage of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and the cognitive status in patients with DR.Methods: A total of 81 patients with DR (51 in the non-proliferative group and 30 in the proliferative group) were included in this retrospective, cross-sectional study. PVS severity was assessed in the basal ganglia (BG) and centrum semiovale using MRI. The total cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) score was determined based on the numbers of lacunes and microbleeds and the severity of white matter hyperintensity. Optical coherence tomography was used to measure foveal and perifoveal GCL thicknesses. Cerebral SVD markers and cognitive function were compared between the groups, and correlations between the BG-PVS severity and the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) scores and GCL parameters were evaluated.Results: Patients with proliferative DR had higher BG-PVS severity (P = 0.012), higher total cerebral SVD scores (P = 0.035), reduced GCL thicknesses in the inferior (P = 0.027), superior (P = 0.046), and temporal (P = 0.038) subfields compared to patients with non-proliferative DR. In addition, the BG-PVS severity was negatively correlated with the MMSE score (P = 0.007), and the GCL thickness was negatively correlated with the BG-PVS severity (P-values &lt; 0.05 for inferior, superior, and temporal subfields).Conclusion: BG-PVS severity and retinal GCL thickness may represent novel imaging biomarkers reflecting the stage of DR and cognitive decline in diabetic patients. Furthermore, these results suggest a possible link between cerebral and retinal neurodegeneration at the clinical level.
Analysis of Factors Associated With Depression in Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Wuhan, China
Authors: Liu Aihong , Peng Yingjie , Zhu Wenli , Zhang Yanling , Ge Shihui , Zhou Yun , Zhang Kemeng , Wang Zhaohui , He Ping 
Published: November 2021

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the independent factors associated with depression in community-dwelling older adults in Wuhan, China.Methods: Four hundred and seventy older adults (aged ≥65 years) from four communities dwelling on Junshan Street in Wuhan, China were included in this study. Participants completed a questionnaire that asked questions pertaining to age, gender, educational level, income, living situation, care situation, social support, and social engagement. The 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30), the Fried frailty phenotype scale, the activities of daily living (ADL) scale, the mini nutritional assessment scale-short form (MNA-SF), and the Mini-cog scale were used to assess depression, frailty, self-care ability, malnutritional risk, and cognitive dysfunction, respectively. Differences in age, gender, educational level, income, living situation, care situation, social support, social engagement, ADL score, risk of malnutrition, frailty, and cognitive dysfunction between the non-depression (GDS-30 score &lt;10 points) and depression groups (GDS-30 score ≥10 points) were compared using a chi-square test. Moreover, correlations between factors and depression were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation. Then, significant variables (p &lt; 0.05) from the chi-square test were included in a multivariable logistic regression model to identify the independent factors associated with depression.Results: The incidence of depression among the participants was 14.04%. Age (p &lt; 0.001), educational level (p &lt; 0.001), living situation (p &lt; 0.001), social support (p = 0.001), ADL score (p = 0.023), frailty (p &lt; 0.001), and cognitive dysfunction (p &lt; 0.001) were all significantly associated with depression, in which age, poor social support, frailty, and cognitive dysfunction were identified as independent factors.Conclusion: Improving social support and effective interventions for frailty and cognitive dysfunction may help relieve depression in community-dwelling older adults.
Limited Add-On Effects of Unilateral and Bilateral Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Visuo-Motor Grip Force Tracking Task Training Outcome in Chronic Stroke. A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Taud Benedikt , Lindenberg Robert , Darkow Robert , Wevers Jasmin , Höfflin Dorothee , Grittner Ulrike , Meinzer Marcus , Flöel Agnes 
Published: November 2021

Background:This randomized controlled trial investigated if uni- and bihemispheric transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the motor cortex can enhance the effects of visuo-motor grip force tracking task training and transfer to clinical assessments of upper extremity motor function.Methods:In a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial, 40 chronic stroke patients underwent 5 days of visuo-motor grip force tracking task training of the paretic hand with either unilateral or bilateral (N= 15/group) or placebo tDCS (N= 10). Immediate and long-term (3 months) effects on training outcome and motor recovery (Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer, UE-FM, Wolf Motor Function Test, and WMFT) were investigated.Results:Trained task performance significantly improved independently of tDCS in a curvilinear fashion. In the anodal stimulation group UE-FM scores were higher than in the sham group at day 5 (adjusted mean difference: 2.6, 95%CI: 0.6–4.5,p= 0.010) and at 3 months follow up (adjusted mean difference: 2.8, 95%CI: 0.8–4.7,p= 0.006). Neither training alone, nor the combination of training and tDCS improved WMFT performance.Conclusions:Visuo-motor grip force tracking task training can facilitate recovery of upper extremity function. Only minimal add-on effects of anodal but not dual tDCS were observed.Clinical Trial Registration:https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?recrs=&amp;cond=&amp;term=NCT01969097&amp;cntry=&amp;state=&amp;city=&amp;dist=, identifier: NCT01969097, retrospectively registered on 25/10/2013.
Distribution Characteristics and Prognostic Value of Immune Infiltration in Oligometastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Zhou Danyang , Jiang Kuikui , Hong Ruoxi , Lu Qianyi , Xia Wen , Li Mei , Zheng Chengyou , Zheng Qiufan , Xu Fei , Wang Shusen 
Published: November 2021

BackgroundTo assess the distribution characteristics and the prognostic value of immune infiltration in female oligometastatic breast cancer patients.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological data of oligometastatic breast cancer (OMBC) patients diagnosed between June 2000 and January 2020. Immune markers were quantified by immunohistochemistry on FFPE tissues in paired normal breast tissues, primary breast cancers and oligometastatic lesions. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox-proportional hazards model.ResultsA total of 95 female OMBC patients visited Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between June 2000 and January 2020, and 33 of them had matched normal breast tissues, primary cancers and oligometastatic lesions and were reviewed in immune infiltration analysis. CD8 of primary tumors had a higher expression than that in matched normal tissues. The expressions of CD8 and FOXP3 were higher in the primary sites than that in the oligometastatic lesions. CD3, CD4 and CD8 were significantly lower in the intratumoral regions than that in the peritumoral regions both in primary and oligometastatic lesions. Notably, the high percentage of CD3 in the intratumoral oligometastatic lesions predicted the longer PFS and OS, and higher CD4 in the same lesions also predicted a better OS. There was obviously positive correlation between CD4/CD3 and Ki-67 in primary cancers and negative correlation between CD4/CD3 and ER in oligometastatic sites.ConclusionWe explored immune distribution and evolution in time and space in OMBC to provide new understandings for biological behaviors of this disease and further divided patients in different prognosis.
Resistance Exercise and Whey Protein Supplementation Reduce Mechanical Allodynia and Spinal Microglia Activation After Acute Muscle Trauma in Rats
Authors: Rodrigues Gusthavo , Moraes Thamyris , Elisei Lívia , Malta Iago , dos Santos Rafaela , Novaes Rômulo , Lollo Pablo , Galdino Giovane 
Published: November 2021

Muscle injury caused by direct trauma to the skeletal muscle is among the main musculoskeletal disorders. Non-pharmacological treatments have been effective in controlling muscle injury–induced pain; however, there are just a few studies in the literature investigating this response. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of a resistance exercise training protocol combined or not with whey protein supplementation on mechanical allodynia induced by muscle injury. In addition, we also investigated the involvement of spinal glial cells in this process. For this purpose, male Wistar rats underwent a muscle injury model induced by direct trauma to the gastrocnemius muscle. Mechanical allodynia was measured by a digital von Frey algesimeter test. To evaluate the effect of exercise and/or supplementation on mechanical allodynia, the animals practiced exercises three times a week for 14 days and received supplementation daily for 14 days, respectively. Moreover, the effect of both the participation of spinal glial cells in the muscle injury and the resistance exercise training and/or whey protein supplementation on these cells was also investigated by the Western blot assay. The results demonstrated that resistance exercise training and whey protein supplementation, combined or alone, reduced mechanical allodynia. These treatments also reduced the number of interstitial cells and pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 levels in the injured muscle. It was also found that spinal microglia and astrocytes are involved in muscle injury, and that resistance exercise training combined with whey protein supplementation inhibits spinal microglia activation. The results suggest that both resistance exercise training and whey protein supplementation may be effective non-pharmacological treatments to control pain in the muscle after injury induced by acute trauma.
The Effect of Cardiovascular Medications on Disease-Related Outcomes in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang Wan-Tong , Wang Xu-Jie , Xue Chun-Miao , Ji Xin-Yu , Pan Lin , Weng Wei-Liang , Li Qiu-Yan , Hua Guo-Dong , Zhu Bao-Chen 
Published: November 2021

Background: Multiple studies have revealed that idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients are more at risk for cardiovascular diseases and that many IPF patients receive cardiovascular medications like statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), and anticoagulants. Existing studies have reported divergent findings on the link between cardiovascular medications and fibrotic disease processes. The aim of this study is to synthesize the evidence on the efficacy of cardiovascular medications in IPF.Methods: We searched studies reporting the effect of cardiovascular medications on IPF in the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and two Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure database and China Wanfang database). We calculated survival data, forced vital capacity (FVC) decline, and IPF-related mortality to assess the efficacy of cardiovascular medications in IPF. We also estimated statistical heterogeneity by using I2 and Cochran Q tests, and publication bias was evaluated by risk of bias tools ROBINS-I.Results: A total of 12 studies were included in the analysis. The included studies had moderate-to-serious risk of bias. Statin use was associated with a reduction in mortality (hazard ratio (HR), 0.89; 95% CI 0.83–0.97). Meta-analysis did not demonstrate any significant relationship between statin use and the FVC decline (HR, 0.86; 95% CI 0.73–1.02), ACEI/ARB use, and survival data (HR, 0.92; 95% CI 0.73–1.15) as well as anticoagulant use and survival data (HR, 1.16; 95% CI 0.62–2.19).Conclusion: Our study suggested that there is a consistent relationship between statin therapy and survival data in IPF population. However, there is currently insufficient evidence to conclude the effect of ACEI, ARB, and anticoagulant therapy on IPF population especially to the disease-related outcomes in IPF.
Endobronchial Therapy With Gentamicin and Dexamethasone After Airway Clearance by Bronchoscopy in Exacerbation of Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis: A Real-World Observational Study
Authors: Li Qiuhong , Huang Beijie , Gu Hongyan , Zhou Ying , Shan Xizheng , Meng Siming , Qin Meng , Shi Jingyun , Chen Yanan , Li Huiping 
Published: November 2021

Background: The exacerbation of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) may lead to poor prognosis. The objective of this study was to retrospectively analyze the clinical efficacy and safety of endobronchial therapy with gentamicin and dexamethasone after airway clearance by bronchoscopy in the exacerbation of NCFB.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 2,156 patients with NCFB between January 2015 and June 2016 and 367 consecutive patients with exacerbation of bronchiectasis who had complete data and underwent airway clearance (AC) by bronchoscopy. The final cohort included 181 cases of intratracheal instillation with gentamicin and dexamethasone after AC (a group with airway drugs named the drug group) and 186 cases of AC only (a group without airway drugs named the control group). The last follow-up was on June 30, 2017.Results: The total cough score and the total symptom score in the drug group were improved compared to those in the control group during 3 months after discharge (p &lt; 0.001). Re-examination of chest HRCT within 4–6 months after discharge revealed that the improvements of peribronchial thickening, the extent of mucous plugging, and the Bhalla score were all significantly improved in the drug group. Moreover, the re-exacerbations in the drug group were significantly decreased within 1 year after discharge. Univariate analysis showed a highly significant prolongation of the time to first re-exacerbation in bronchiectasis due to treatment with airway drugs compared with that of the control group. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the risk of first re-exacerbation in the drug group decreased by 29.7% compared with that of the control group.Conclusion: Endobronchial therapy with gentamicin and dexamethasone after AC by bronchoscopy is a safe and effective method for treating NCFB.