bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
INTEGRATED ANALYSIS OF IMMUNOLOGICAL BLOOD PARAMETERS IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN WITH RECURRENT RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS
Authors: Voloshin O.M. , Marushko Yu.V. , Savchenko I.I. 
Published: July 2024

Background. Recurrent respiratory infections are a very pressing problem in everyday pediatric practice. They are most commonly diagnosed in preschool children. According to different researchers, their incidence varies considerably (6-30%). The temporary immaturity of immune system is thought to be one of the causes of frequent episodes of acute respiratory infections (ARI).
Aim: To determine the state of interdependence between the particular indicators of complex immunological blood test and the frequency of ARI episodes in preschool children.
Materials and methods. A total of 26 children (11 boys and 15 girls) aged 1-4 years, undergoing inpatient treatment on ARI, were involved in the clinical study. The number of ARI episodes during the previous year of their life was taken into account. Additionally, two integral indices of ARI recurrence, specifically the infection index and resistance index, were calculated. The children underwent a clinical blood test. Also, the particular indicators of humoral and cellular immunity, functional activity of immune cells (neutrophil phagocytic activity (PhA), lymphocyte blast transformation reaction), complement system (C3c, C4) and the several classes of circulating immune complexes (CIC) were analyzed. The statistical processing of the digital data was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 28 licensed software with the calculation of the confidence interval (CI) for the main indicators.
Results. The prevalent majority of the examined children (80.8%) had an increased serum CIC(small) level. There was a moderate positive correlation between the resistance index values and the CIC(small) level [ρ = 0.392; p = 0.048; CI: 0.072–0.644]. The tightest interdependence was found in the following pairs of studied indicators: 1) CIC(medium)*CIC(small) [ρ=0.732; p<0.001; CI: 0.471–0.875]; 2) C3c*C4 [ρ=0.658; p<0.001; CI: 0.352–0.837]; 3) CIC(large)*Ig(A+M+G) [ρ=0.643; p<0.001; CI: 0.330–0.829]; 4) PhA(spontaneous)*PhA(induced) [ρ=0.601; p=0.001; CI: 0.267–0.806]. A linear regression analysis showed that the predicted resistance index was dependent on only one of the immunological blood parameters considered, specifically total leukocyte antigen. Among other possible predictors, the impact of this antigen on the dependent variable was 18.4%.
Conclusions. The particular indicators of a complex immunological blood test are highly interrelated. The results obtained should be taken into account when developing an integrated model for predicting the likelihood of recurrent ARI episodes in preschool children.
Analysis of the Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr), and Manganese (Mn) Levels from the Steel Industry Liquid Waste by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry Method
Authors: Alfian Zul , Aini Syarifah , Agusnar Harry 
Published: July 2024

Liquid waste from the steel industry processing, washing machine, and kitchenware foundry that is disposed containing copper (Cu), chromium (Cr) and manganese (Mn) elements which is harmful to enviromental. The levels of elemental copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), and manganese (Mn) were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) method. The effluent samples were destructed with the addition of concentrated HNO3. Then determining of the concentration of the element copper (Cu), chromium (Cr) and manganese (Mn) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer with a calibration curve. The obtained results for the levels of copper (Cu) on the inlet samples were 0.9714 mg/L - 0.9719 mg/L, the outlet samples were 3.9990 mg/L - 4.0002 mg/L. Hence, the levels of the element chromium (Cr) on inlet samples were 0.0295 mg/L - 0.0297 mg/L, the outlet samples were 0.0399 mg/L - 0.0400 mg/L and the levels of manganese (Mn) in the inlet samples were 0.1269 mg/L - 0.1271 mg/L in a outlet samples were 2.9699 mg/L - 2.9701 mg/L. Then the steel industry wastewater for elemental copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) has exceeded the limits that have been instituted by the Minister of Environment Decree No. 51, 1995, about the Liquid Waste Quality Standard for Industrial Activity
Coupling coordination and interactive relationship between population urbanization and land urbanization from the perspective of shrinking cities: a case study of Jiangsu province, China
Authors: Chen Shao-Jun , Dai Qi , Liu Xiao-Yan 
Published: July 2024

Introduction: Urban contraction brings about certain impacts on the advancement of urbanization.Methods: This paper explores the coupling coordination (CCD) and geographical distribution of land urbanization (LU) and population urbanization (PU) in Jiangsu Province through a CCD model and a spatial autocorrelation model from the perspective of shrinking cities. The Panel Vector Autoregression (PVAR) model is constructed to deeply investigate the complex interaction between the PU-LU in 13 cities, 2007-2020.Results: The study found that the PU-LU CCD in each of the above-mentioned cities shows a synergistic incremental evolution during the study period in terms of time series. In addition, in terms of spatial characteristics, the CCD of PU and LU shows significant positive global spatial autocorrelation, and the CCD of cities with high population size growth is much larger than that of cities with continuous population size. Last, there is an interactive response relationship between PU and LU. PU influences LU, however, PU itself is influenced by its own system’s internal structure. The impact of PU on LU shows a positive cumulative effect of the “inverted U shape.”Discussion: Furthermore, this paper proposes that policies be created to ensure the coordinated growth of PU-LU based on the differences in resource endowments of cities with 3 types of urban shrinkage. The link between floating population and construction land for cities should be established through enhancing the extent of intensive land use and reforming household registration.
Assessment of green sustainable development in plateau lakeside cities
Authors: Peng Changqing , Yang Kun , Jia Tingfang , Shang Chunxue , Li Anling , Pei Xingfang , Wang Qingqing , Chen Rixiang , Li Dingpu , Luo Yi 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionGreen sustainable development is an important part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and China’s ecological civilization construction.MethodsThis paper combines the characteristics of the development of lakeside cities, gives full play to the advantages of modern remote sensing technology to collect the indicators related to the green sustainable development of lakeside cities, adopts the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the CRiteria Importance Through Inter-criteria Correlation (CRITIC) subjective and objective weighting methods and the difference coefficient method to determine the weights of the indicators, evaluates the green sustainable development of a typical lakeside city of Kunming for more than 30 years, and analyzes the influencing factors using the gray degree of correlation.ResultsThe results show the following: (1) From 1990 to 2021, the level of green sustainable development in the urban area around Dianchi Lake fluctuated in stages, with an overall upward trend, and the green development index increased from 0.25 in 1990 to 0.5 in 2021. (2) The coefficient of variance determined by the optimization model can be a better compromise between the objective and subjective weights of the indicators, and the massive occupation of wetlands and arable land around the lake in the urban expansion has become a major factor in the development of the city, with a combined weight of 10.30% and 8.79%, respectively. (3) The urban population and economic scale are currently the main drivers of the green and sustainable development of a lakeside city, with a correlation of 0.843 and 0.769, respectively.DiscussionThe growth of urban population and economic scale plays a pivotal role in driving the green and sustainable development of lakeside cities, while the potential impact of tourism development should also be considered.
Developing a machine learning-based prognosis and immunotherapeutic response signature in colorectal cancer: insights from ferroptosis, fatty acid dynamics, and the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Zhu Junchang , Zhang Jinyuan , Lou Yunwei , Zheng Yijie , Zheng Xuzhi , Cen Wei , Ye Lechi , Zhang Qiongying 
Published: July 2024

InstructionColorectal cancer (CRC) poses a challenge to public health and is characterized by a high incidence rate. This study explored the relationship between ferroptosis and fatty acid metabolism in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of patients with CRC to identify how these interactions impact the prognosis and effectiveness of immunotherapy, focusing on patient outcomes and the potential for predicting treatment response.MethodsUsing datasets from multiple cohorts, including The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), we conducted an in-depth multi-omics study to uncover the relationship between ferroptosis regulators and fatty acid metabolism in CRC. Through unsupervised clustering, we discovered unique patterns that link ferroptosis and fatty acid metabolism, and further investigated them in the context of immune cell infiltration and pathway analysis. We developed the FeFAMscore, a prognostic model created using a combination of machine learning algorithms, and assessed its predictive power for patient outcomes and responsiveness to treatment. The FeFAMscore signature expression level was confirmed using RT-PCR, and ACAA2 progression in cancer was further verified.ResultsThis study revealed significant correlations between ferroptosis regulators and fatty acid metabolism-related genes with respect to tumor progression. Three distinct patient clusters with varied prognoses and immune cell infiltration were identified. The FeFAMscore demonstrated superior prognostic accuracy over existing models, with a C-index of 0.689 in the training cohort and values ranging from 0.648 to 0.720 in four independent validation cohorts. It also responses to immunotherapy and chemotherapy, indicating a sensitive response of special therapies (e.g., anti-PD-1, anti-CTLA4, osimertinib) in high FeFAMscore patients.ConclusionFerroptosis regulators and fatty acid metabolism-related genes not only enhance immune activation, but also contribute to immune escape. Thus, the FeFAMscore, a novel prognostic tool, is promising for predicting both the prognosis and efficacy of immunotherapeutic strategies in patients with CRC.
Implications of disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis on immune cells and response to COVID-19 vaccination
Authors: Orrù Valeria , Serra Valentina , Marongiu Michele , Lai Sandra , Lodde Valeria , Zoledziewska Magdalena , Steri Maristella , Loizedda Annalisa , Lobina Monia , Piras Maria Grazia , Virdis Francesca , Delogu Giuseppe , Marini Maria Giuseppina , Mingoia Maura , Floris Matteo , Masala Marco , Castelli M. Paola , Mostallino Rafaela , Frau Jessica , Lorefice Lorena , Farina Gabriele , Fronza Marzia , Carmagnini Daniele , Carta Elisa , Pilotto Silvy , Chessa Paola , Devoto Marcella , Castiglia Paolo , Solla Paolo , Zarbo Roberto Ignazio , Idda Maria Laura , Pitzalis Maristella , Cocco Eleonora , Fiorillo Edoardo , Cucca Francesco 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionDisease-modifying therapies (DMTs) have been shown to improve disease outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. They may also impair the immune response to vaccines, including the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. However, available data on both the intrinsic immune effects of DMTs and their influence on cellular response to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine are still incomplete.MethodsHere, we evaluated the immune cell effects of 3 DMTs on the response to mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination by comparing MS patients treated with one specific therapy (fingolimod, dimethyl fumarate, or natalizumab) with both healthy controls and untreated patients. We profiled 23 B-cell traits, 57 T-cell traits, and 10 cytokines, both at basal level and after stimulation with a pool of SARS-CoV-2 spike peptides, in 79 MS patients, treated with DMTs or untreated, and 32 healthy controls. Measurements were made before vaccination and at three time points after immunization.Results and DiscussionMS patients treated with fingolimod showed the strongest immune cell dysregulation characterized by a reduction in all measured lymphocyte cell classes; the patients also had increased immune cell activation at baseline, accompanied by reduced specific immune cell response to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Also, anti-spike specific B cells progressively increased over the three time points after vaccination, even when antibodies measured from the same samples instead showed a decline. Our findings demonstrate that repeated booster vaccinations in MS patients are crucial to overcoming the immune cell impairment caused by DMTs and achieving an immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine comparable to that of healthy controls.
Integrated analyses of single-cell transcriptome and Mendelian randomization reveal the protective role of FCRL3 in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Yu Kefu , Jiang Ruiqi , Li Ziming , Ren Xiaohui , Jiang Haihui , Zhao Zhigang 
Published: July 2024

BackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) represents a multifaceted autoimmune ailment, prompting the development and widespread utilization of numerous therapeutic interventions. However, extant medications for MS have proven inadequate in mitigating relapses and halting disease progression. Innovative drug targets for preventing multiple sclerosis are still required. The objective of this study is to discover novel therapeutic targets for MS by integrating single-cell transcriptomics and Mendelian randomization analysis.MethodsThe study integrated MS genome-wide association study (GWAS) data, single-cell transcriptomics (scRNA-seq), expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL), and protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) data for analysis and utilized two-sample Mendelian randomization study to comprehend the causal relationship between proteins and MS. Sequential analyses involving colocalization and Phenome-wide association studies (PheWAS) were conducted to validate the causal role of candidate genes.ResultsFollowing stringent quality control preprocessing of scRNA-seq data, 1,123 expression changes across seven peripheral cell types were identified. Among the seven most prevalent cell types, 97 genes exhibiting at least one eQTL were discerned. Examination of MR associations between 28 proteins with available index pQTL signals and the risk of MS outcomes was conducted. Co-localization analyses and PheWAS indicated that FCRL3 may exert influence on MS.ConclusionThe integration of scRNA-seq and MR analysis facilitated the identification of potential therapeutic targets for MS. Notably, FCRL3, implicated in immune function, emerged as a significant drug target in the deCODE databases. This research underscores the importance of FCRL3 in MS therapy and advocates for further investigation and clinical trials targeting FCRL3.
Dynamic monitoring of viral gene expression reveals rapid antiviral effects of CD8 T cells recognizing the HCMV-pp65 antigen
Authors: Khan Fawad , Müller Thomas R. , Kasmapour Bahram , Ynga-Durand Mario Alberto , Eiz-Vesper Britta , von Einem Jens , Busch Dirk H. , Cicin-Sain Luka 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionHuman Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a betaherpesvirus that causes severe disease in immunocompromised transplant recipients. Immunotherapy with CD8 T cells specific for HCMV antigens presented on HLA class-I molecules is explored as strategy for long-term relief to such patients, but the antiviral effectiveness of T cell preparations cannot be efficiently predicted by available methods.MethodsWe developed an Assay for Rapid Measurement of Antiviral T-cell Activity (ARMATA) by real-time automated fluorescent microscopy and used it to study the ability of CD8 T cells to neutralize HCMV and control its spread. As a proof of principle, we used TCR-transgenic T cells specific for the immunodominant HLA-A02-restricted tegumental phosphoprotein pp65. pp65 expression follows an early/late kinetic, but it is not clear at which stage of the virus cycle it acts as an antigen. We measured control of HCMV infection by T cells as early as 6 hours post infection (hpi).ResultsThe timing of the antigen recognition indicated that it occurred before the late phase of the virus cycle, but also that virion-associated pp65 was not recognized during virus entry into cells. Monitoring of pp65 gene expression dynamics by reporter fluorescent genes revealed that pp65 was detectable as early as 6 hpi, and that a second and much larger bout of expression occurs in the late phase of the virus cycle by 48 hpi. Since transgenic (Tg)-pp65 specific CD8 T cells were activated even when DNA replication was blocked, our data argue that pp65 acts as an early virus gene for immunological purposes.DiscussionARMATA does not only allow same day identification of antiviral T-cell activity, but also provides a method to define the timing of antigen recognition in the context of HCMV infection.
The impact of the donors’ COVID-19 status on the outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a multi-center retrospective study
Authors: Huang Yifei , Fan Zhiping , Hu Yingying , Feng Sizhou , Wang Shunqing , Zhang Shanyu , Huang Fen , Xuan Li , Xu Na , Liu Hui , Wang Zhixiang , Sun Jing , Liu Qifa , Lin Ren 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionTo explore the impact of donors’ COVID-19 status on allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), we compared the transplant outcomes of 74 participants.MethodsThis multi-center retrospective study included nine participants receiving grafts from COVID-19 positive donors (CPD), 45 from COVID-19 experienced donors (CED), and 20 from COVID-19 naive donors (CND). We evaluated engraftment, complications, and survival rates among the three groups.ResultsAll apheresis procedures were successful with no significant differences in CD34+ cells or lymphocytes in grafts among the three groups. All patients achieved engraftment by day 30 post-HSCT. The incidence of grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) was 55.6%, 20%, and 10% in the CPD, CED, and CND groups, respectively (p = 0.024). Multivariate analysis indicated that COVID-19 positivity in donors at the time of apheresis was an independent risk factor for II-IV aGVHD (p = 0.020, OR = 12.159, 95% CI 1.783 -135.760). No differences were observed among the groups in terms of chronic GVHD, viral infection, or sinusoidal obstruction syndrome. The 6-month overall survival and disease-free survival rates were also similar among the three groups.DiscussionOur results suggest that the COVID-19-positive status of donors might not impact graft collection, engraftment, or short-term survival of allo-HSCT recipients but might increase the risk of aGVHD. Further research is needed to explore the influence of donors’ COVID-19 status on long-term complications and survival in allo-HSCT recipients.
Soil phosphorus cycling microbial functional genes of monoculture and mixed plantations of native tree species in subtropical China
Authors: Qin Lin , Xiao Zhirou , Ming Angang , Teng Jinqian , Zhu Hao , Qin Jiaqi , Liang Zeli 
Published: July 2024

BackgroundTransforming coniferous plantation into broadleaved or mixed broadleaved-coniferous plantations is the tendency of forest management strategies in subtropical China. However, the effects of this conversion on soil phosphorus (P) cycling microbial functional genes are still unknown.MethodsSoil samples were collected from 0–20, 20–40, and 40–60 cm (topsoil, middle layer, and subsoil, respectively) under coniferous Pinus massoniana (PM), broadleaved Erythrophleum fordii (EF), and their mixed (PM/EF) plantation in subtropical China. Used metagenomic sequencing to examine the alterations of relative abundances and molecular ecological network structure of soil P-cycling functional genes after the conversion of plantations.ResultsThe composition of P-cycling genes in the topsoil of PM stand was significantly different from that of PM/EF and EF stands (p &lt; 0.05), and total phosphorus (TP) was the main factor causing this difference. After transforming PM plantation into EF plantation, the relative abundances of P solubilization and mineralization genes significantly increased in the topsoil and middle layer with the decrease of soil TP content. The abundances of P-starvation response regulation genes also significantly increased in the subsoil (p &lt; 0.05), which may have been influenced by soil organic carbon (SOC). The dominant genes in all soil layers under three plantations were phoR, glpP, gcd, ppk, and ppx. Transforming PM into EF plantation apparently increased gcd abundance in the topsoil (p &lt; 0.05), with TP and NO3−-N being the main influencing factors. After transforming PM into PM/EF plantations, the molecular ecological network structure of P-cycling genes was more complex; moreover, the key genes in the network were modified with the transformation of PM plantation.ConclusionTransforming PM into EF plantation mainly improved the phosphate solubilizing potential of microorganisms at topsoil, while transforming PM into PM/EF plantation may have enhanced structural stability of microbial P-cycling genes react to environmental changes.
The rhythmic mind: brain functions of percussionists in improvisation
Authors: Liao Yin-Chun , Yang Ching-Ju , Yu Hsin-Yen , Huang Chiu-Jung , Hong Tzu-Yi , Li Wei-Chi , Chen Li-Fen , Hsieh Jen-Chuen 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionPercussionists stand out for their expertise in rhythm, with the network for musical rhythm (NMR) serving a vital neurological function in their improvisation, which is deeply rooted in comprehensive musical knowledge. Our research examines the central representations of various improvisation tactics used by percussionists and investigates the interactions between the NMR and other relevant neural networks.MethodsTwenty-five percussionists participated in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) sessions, which included two cognitive strategies of improvisation. Structural improvisation (SIMP) emphasized rhythmic patterns, while free improvisation (FIMP) focused on musical spontaneity. Sight-reading scenario served as the reference condition. Paired t-tests were utilized for comparative analyses.ResultsThe findings revealed a dynamic interplay characterized by increased activity in the executive control network and NMR, along with decreased activity in the default mode network during SIMP. During FIMP, heightened activity was observed in the executive control network, NMR, limbic, and memory systems. In both SIMP vs. sight-reading and FIMP vs. sight-reading comparisons, the visual network’s activity decreased, a trend also observed in the comparative analysis of FIMP vs. SIMP.DiscussionIn SIMP, percussionists leverage external rhythmic signals, resulting in heightened NMR and ECN activity and reduced DMN activity. In contrast, FIMP is characterized by a rise in activity within the NMR, ECN, limbic system, memory system, and reward system, underscoring the vital roles of motivation and memory in the rapid production of spontaneous musical ideas within set frameworks. The diminished activity in the visual network during FIMP compared to SIMP suggests less reliance on visual stimuli in FIMP. These findings suggest that various improvisational tactics may engage different neural pathways.