bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alternative skeletal muscle index for sarcopenia diagnosis in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A pilot study
Authors: Lu Lanyu , Liu Bowei , Yin Fuzai 
Published: February 2023

PurposeTo determine an alternative skeletal muscle index (a-SMI), easy diagnosis of sarcopenia in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Patients and methodsThis cross-sectional study included 223 inpatients with T2DM (100 males, age range 60-89; 123 females, age range 60-87). Screening for grip strength and gait speed, measuring SMI by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (d-SMI) for sarcopenia diagnosis, according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 consensus. The a-SMI was established by binary logistic regression analysis with positive screening population. To assess the conformance of the new diagnostic approach with the AWGS 2019.ResultsSarcopenia was present in 36.3% of the study population. 59 had normal d-SMI and 81 had low d-SMI in screening patients with probable sarcopenia. In univariate analyses for all positive screening population, body mass index (BMI), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 - (OH) VitD), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), hypertension (HTN), and gender were correlates of d-SMI. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that male (B = 2.463, 95%CI: 3.640 ~ 37.883, p = 0.000), HTN (B = 1.404, 95%CI: 1.599 ~ 10.371, p = 0.003), BMI (B = -0.344, 95%CI: 0.598 ~ 0.839, p = 0.000), 25-(OH) VitD (B = -0.058, 95%CI: 0.907 ~ 0.982, p = 0.004) were independent factors for d-SMI detection. Based on the extracted four correlates, the a-SMI was determined. The area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.842, sensitivity and specificity for the new diagnostic approach were 84.0% and 84.5%. In a statistical measure of agreement between the AWGS 2019 and the new diagnostic approach, the kappa coefficient was 0.669 (p &lt; 0.001).ConclusionThe a-SMI - based on gender, obesity status, 25-(OH) VitD, and HTN history - can be used in the absence of the d-SMI to supplement the algorithm for sarcopenia diagnosis in elderly patients with T2DM.
The influence of growth hormone on pediatric body composition: A systematic review
Authors: Ferruzzi Alessandro , Vrech Massimiliano , Pietrobelli Angelo , Cavarzere Paolo , Zerman Nicoletta , Guzzo Alessandra , Flodmark Carl-Erik , Piacentini Giorgio , Antoniazzi Franco 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundGrowth hormone (GH) affects metabolism and regulates growth in childhood. The most prominent feature of GH deficiency (GHD) in children is diminished height velocity that eventually leads to short stature. In adult-onset GHD, lean body mass (LBM) is reduced, and visceral fat mass (FM) increased. Beneficial effects of GH treatment on body composition in adults with GHD, including an increase in muscle mass and a decrease in FM, are well established. Relatively few studies have investigated the effects of GH treatment on the body composition of pediatric patients with idiopathic or hypothalamic-pituitary disease-associated GH deficiency. This systematic review aimed to summarize available evidence relating to the effects of GH treatment on body composition in children with GHD.MethodsThe PubMed, Science Direct, Cochrane Trials, and Embase databases, were searched with keywords including “GH”, “body composition”, “children”, and “growth hormone” for English-language articles, published between January 1999 and March 2021. Two reviewers independently evaluated the search results and identified studies for inclusion based on the following criteria: participants had a confirmed diagnosis of GHD (as defined in each study); participants were pediatric patients who were receiving GH or had stopped GH treatment, regardless of whether they were pre- or post-pubertal; the intervention was recombinant human GH (rhGH; somatropin); and outcomes included changes in body composition during or after stopping GH therapy. Data extracted from each study included study quality, study sample characteristics, study interventions, and body composition. Data on fat-free mass and LBM were combined into a single category of LBM.ResultsSixteen studies reporting changes in body composition (i.e., FM and LBM) associated with GH treatment in children with GHD were identified and included in the review. Collectively, these studies demonstrated that FM decreased, and LBM increased in response to GH replacement therapy.ConclusionDespite study limitations (i.e., potential effects of diet and physical activity were not considered), we concluded that a periodic body composition assessment is required to ensure that a satisfactory body composition is achieved during GH replacement therapy in children with GHD.
Circulating follistatin concentrations in adolescent PCOS: Divergent effects of randomized treatments
Authors: Díaz Marta , de Zegher Francis , Ibáñez Lourdes 
Published: February 2023

PurposeFollistatin is a glycoprotein that represses members of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily including activin. Higher follistatin levels have been associated with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes and with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In non-obese adolescent girls with PCOS, insulin sensitization results in a healthier endocrine-metabolic outcome than oral contraception (OC); we assessed whether those differences are underscored by changes in serum follistatin concentrations.MethodsCirculating follistatin, endocrine-metabolic markers and hepato-visceral fat were measured longitudinally in 72 girls with PCOS [age, 16 years; body mass index (BMI), 23 Kg/m2] randomized to receive PioFluMet [pioglitazone (7.5 mg/d), metformin (850 mg/d) and flutamide (62.5 mg/d), n=17]; EE-CA [an OC containing 35 µg ethinylestradiol (EE) and 2 mg cyproterone acetate (CA), n=17]; SPIOMET [Spironolactone (50 mg/d), pioglitazone (7.5 mg/d) and metformin (850 mg/d), n=18], or EE-LNG [an OC containing 20 µg EE and 100 mg levonorgestrel (LNG), n=20]. Twenty-eight age- and BMI-matched healthy girls served as controls.ResultsPre-treatment follistatin levels were similar in PCOS and controls. OCs raised serum follistatin after 6 months (6.8-fold vs 2.5-fold for EE-CA and EE-LNG, respectively). Neither SPIOMET nor PioFluMet changed follistatin levels. Follistatin correlated negatively with high-molecular weight adiponectin and positively with mean serum insulin concentrations during an oral glucose tolerance test at baseline, and with liver fat after 6 months.ConclusionIn girls with PCOS, follistatin levels rise significantly after 6 months on OCs and this increase associates to a worsening of markers of insulin resistance and to changes in liver fat.
The fatty infiltration into cervical paraspinal muscle as a predictor of postoperative outcomes: A controlled study based on hybrid surgery
Authors: He Junbo , Wu Tingkui , Ding Chen , Wang Beiyu , Hong Ying , Liu Hao 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundThe cervical paraspinal muscle (CPM) has an essential role in positioning, stabilizing and directing the cervical spine. However, information is lacking regarding the influence of CPM on outcomes following anterior cervical surgery. This study aims to evaluate the association of fatty infiltration (FI) of CPM with postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing hybrid surgery (HS) and analyze the relationship between FI and cross-sectional area (CSA) of CPM.MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on 110 consecutive patients undergoing continuous 2-level HS. According to Goutallier classification of multifidus FI, the patients were divided into normal, moderate, and severe groups. Image J software was employed to outline and analyze CPM. Clinical outcomes and radiographic parameters were collected and evaluated for relevant comparisons.ResultsVisible FI was identified in 69.1% of patients (76/110), with a propensity in elderly patients (p = 0.053). No statistically significant differences were presented among the three groups regarding pre- and postoperative clinical evaluation scores. The cervical lordosis was significantly higher in the normal group before surgery (p = 0.029). Likewise, the sagittal vertical axis (SVA) was significantly higher in the severe group than the normal group at the final follow-up (p = 0.046). The function spine unit angle and disc angle of arthroplasty levels were significantly lower in the severe group than the normal group at follow-ups. Moreover, after correction according to vertebral body area, no statistically significant relationship existed between CSA ratio and FI grade.ConclusionCPM degeneration is common and age-related in patients with cervical disc degenerative disease. More importantly, there was a significant positive correlation between severe FI of CPM and postoperative sagittal balance disorder, particularly in C2-7 SVA and segmental alignment of arthroplasty level. Meanwhile, FI of CPM appears to have no impact on clinical outcomes and reveals small correlations to CSA.
Using mercury stable isotope fractionation to identify the contribution of historical mercury mining sources present in downstream water, sediment and fish
Authors: Eckley Chris S. , Eagles-Smith Collin , Luxton Todd P. , Hoffman Joel , Janssen Sarah 
Published: February 2023

Ecosystems downstream of mercury (Hg) contaminated sites can be impacted by both localized releases as well as Hg deposited to the watershed from atmospheric transport. Identifying the source of Hg in water, sediment, and fish downstream of contaminated sites is important for determining the effectiveness of source-control remediation actions. This study uses measurements of Hg stable isotopes in soil, sediment, water, and fish to differentiate between Hg from an abandoned Hg mine from non-mine-related sources. The study site is located within the Willamette River watershed (Oregon, United States), which includes free-flowing river segments and a reservoir downstream of the mine. The concentrations of total-Hg (THg) in the reservoir fish were 4-fold higher than those further downstream (&gt;90 km) from the mine site in free-flowing sections of the river. Mercury stable isotope fractionation analysis showed that the mine tailings (δ202Hg: −0.36‰ ± 0.03‰) had a distinctive isotopic composition compared to background soils (δ202Hg: −2.30‰ ± 0.25‰). Similar differences in isotopic composition were observed between stream water that flowed through the tailings (particulate bound δ202Hg: −0.58‰; dissolved: −0.91‰) versus a background stream (particle-bound δ202Hg: −2.36‰; dissolved: −2.09‰). Within the reservoir sediment, the Hg isotopic composition indicated that the proportion of the Hg related to mine-release increased with THg concentrations. However, in the fish samples the opposite trend was observed—the degree of mine-related Hg was lower in fish with the higher THg concentrations. While sediment concentrations clearly show the influence of the mine, the relationship in fish is more complicated due to differences in methylmercury (MeHg) formation and the foraging behavior of different fish species. The fish tissue δ13C and Δ199Hg values indicate that there is a higher influence of mine-sourced Hg in fish feeding in a more sediment-based food web and less so in planktonic and littoral-based food webs. Identifying the relative proportion of Hg from local contaminated site can help inform remediation decisions, especially when the relationship between total Hg concentrations and sources do not show similar covariation between abiotic and biotic media.
Agronomic approach to evaluate the nitrogen use efficiency of liquid, solid, and composted swine manures in corn–soybean rotation
Authors: Niu Junjie , Zhang Tiequan , Wen Guang , Zheng Zhiming , Jia Yu , Tan Chin S. , Welackey Tom 
Published: February 2023

Evaluating the nitrogen (N) use efficiency of animal manure is essential to optimize its application for profitable crop production without impairing the environment. A four-year field study was conducted under corn (Zea maysL.)–soybean (Glycine maxL.) rotation in a Brookston clay loam soil using the yield control approach. Treatments included inorganic fertilizer (IN), and liquid (LM), solid (SM), and composted (CM) swine manure applied at the rate equivalent to an available N of 200 kg ha−1and a non-fertilization control (CT). Seven N use indices were employed to evaluate N use efficiency. LM obtained comparable corn yields relative to IN. Corn yield in SM was inconsistent from one year to another, and CM had minimal agronomical value in our study. Soybeans with IN posed the highest grain yields of 3,468 and 3,761 kg ha−1in 2005 and 2007, respectively. In contrast to grain yield and total N uptake, the gain N removal of either corn or soybeans was comparable between the two alternative years. The distinctions between N supply dynamics of manures and their influences on yield, grain N removal, and total above-ground plant N uptake of corn were well discriminated by N use efficiency (NUE), N uptake efficiency (NUpE), N utilization efficiency (NUtE), N agronomic efficiency (NAE), and N recovery efficiency (NRE), but not by N physiological efficiency (NPE) and N harvest index (NHI). Legacy effects on soybean yield from the preceding corn were detected by NAE and NRE. Based on grain yield in conjunction with N use efficiency parameters, the IN performed the best, followed by LM. The NUE, NUpE, NUtE, NAE, and NRE parameters used to evaluate chemical fertilizer N were also applicable to evaluate manure N efficiency.
Current and paleoclimate models for an Atlantic Forest kissing bug indicate broader distribution outside biome delimitations
Authors: Corrêa-do-Nascimento Guilherme Sanches , Leite Gustavo Rocha 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionRhodnius domesticus is a kissing bug with known occurrence around the Atlantic coast of South America and is considered to be the only endemic species of the Atlantic Forest for the Rhodniini tribe. In this study, we aimed to indicate the species trends in possible distribution in the current and paleoclimate scenarios from the last glacial maximum (LGM).MethodsWe revised R. domesticus distribution information and created ecological niche models (ENMs) between the current time and Pleistocene end scenarios for the study regions. Models were built and validated using Maxent, KUENM, and ENMeval packages in R and ArcMap. We considered the models' uncertainty when calculating the average model variance and using mobility-oriented parity (MOP) analyses to indicate extrapolation risk areas in transfer scenarios.ResultsWe found 44 different geographical species records, and our current time models indicate suitable areas in coastal regions of the Atlantic and surrounding locations in higher and lower latitudes. Paleoclimate models indicate general suitability in coastal regions and change in suitability in the interior region through time.DiscussionOur revision and ENMs indicate two main points: Despite the fact that R. domesticus records are spatial and time concentrated in some coastal regions of the Atlantic Forest, species could have a broader distribution area, including regions outside the biome delimitations in northeast and southwest areas of South America. Paleodistribution models indicate species broader distribution in Atlantic Forest-related areas in LGM and northern interior regions of South America from late Pleistocene to the current times. In glaciation scenarios, continental shelf distribution was relevant and species' different connectivity routes with other biomes may be developed after LGM.
Precipitation preferences alter the relative importance of herbaceous plant diversity for multifunctionality in the drylands of China
Authors: Guo Hao , Zhou Xiaobing , Tao Ye , Yin Jinfei , Zhang Lan , Guo Xing , Liu Chaohong , Lin Yajun , Zhang Yuanming 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundMultiple components of biodiversity are excellent predictors of precipitation-induced changes in ecosystem function. However, the importance of differing scales (alpha versus beta) is usually overlooked in biodiversity–ecosystem multifunctionality studies. Consequently, little is known about how precipitation regulates the relationship between multifunctionality and multiple components of alpha and beta diversity.AimsWe investigated geographic patterns of herbaceous plant diversity and ecosystem multifunctionality along a precipitation gradient spanning more than 2010 km in Northwest China.MethodsWe assessed the effects of herbaceous species, phylogenetic, and functional components at different scales on multifunctionality in drylands.ResultsThe alpha diversity of species and functional beta diversity were key components explaining the variation in multifunctionality. As the main environmental factor, MAP (mean annual precipitation) affected multifunctionality by changing the mediating variables (i.e., species alpha and functional beta diversity). More importantly, a certain precipitation threshold was detected for the relationship of multifunctionality to species alpha and functional beta diversity. MAPs of approximately 158 mm and 140 mm modulated this relationship (shifting it from uncorrelated to significantly correlated).ConclusionsOur findings provide insights into previously neglected mechanisms by which diversity in herbaceous layers at different scales affects ecosystem multifunctionality. It is highlighted that MAP regulates the relationship between diversity and multifunctionality in dryland ecosystems at different scales. Further, diversity may have substantial consequences for multifunctionality where MAP is higher. These empirical results provide a comprehensive understanding of the biodiversity–multifunctionality relationship in the context of precipitation, ultimately contributing to conservation and restoration programs for multifunctionality in drylands.
Coastal shipping during the pandemic: Spatial assessment of the demand for passenger maritime transport
Authors: Boile Maria , Theofanis Sotirios , Perra Vasiliki-Maria , Kitsios Xenophon 
Published: February 2023

Coastal shipping plays a key role in insular regions, ensuring economic, territorial and societal cohesion at national and regional level and supporting the transport of passengers, vehicles and goods. For Greece, passenger maritime transport is essential, considering its lengthy coastline (about 15,000 km) and its numerous islands, scattered within its territorial waters. This paper investigates demand for passenger maritime transport of the Greek coastal shipping before and during the pandemic through a spatial assessment based mainly on primary data provided by the responsible National Authority, thus highlighting issues to be addressed through policy and decision making. Considering that Covid-19 led to significant disruption of transport services, especially in ferry operations, demand for passenger maritime transport was almost halved during 2020. However, the supply services provided are mostly determined by the terms of the public service obligations (PSOs) that are announced by the responsible National Authority and which had to be further enhanced during the pandemic for sufficiently covering the corresponding demand. As such, the paper aims to support policy and decision making, and the implementation of relevant strategies and measures so as to maintain the proper level of services provided in the sector during emergencies.
Case report: Functional characterization of a novel CHD7 intronic variant in patients with CHARGE syndrome
Authors: Rossi Cesare , Ramadan Sherin , Evangelisti Cecilia , Ferrari Simona , Accadia Maria , Toydemir Reha M. , Panza Emanuele 
Published: February 2023

Background: Because CHARGE syndrome is characterized by high clinical variability, molecular confirmation of the clinical diagnosis is of pivotal importance. Most patients have a pathogenic variant in the CHD7 gene; however, variants are distributed throughout the gene and most cases are due to de novo mutations. Often, assessing the pathogenetic effect of a variant can be challenging, requiring the design of a unique assay for each specific case.Method: Here we describe a new CHD7 intronic variant, c.5607+17A&gt;G, identified in two unrelated patients. In order to characterize the molecular effect of the variant, minigenes were constructed using exon trapping vectors.Results: The experimental approach pinpoints the pathogenetic effect of the variant on CHD7 gene splicing, subsequently confirmed using cDNA synthetized from RNA extracted from patient lymphocytes. Our results were further corroborated by the introduction of other substitutions at the same nucleotide position, showing that c.5607+17A&gt;G specifically alters splicing possibly due to the generation of a recognition motif for the recruitment of a splicing effector.Conclusion: Here we identify a novel pathogenetic variant affecting splicing, and we provide a detailed molecular characterization and possible functional explanation.
Mapping knowledge structure and research of the biologic treatment of asthma: A bibliometric study
Authors: Sun Jiamin , Bai Shiyao , Zhao Jieyu , Li Danling , Ma Xueqing , Ma Lin , Su Xinming 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundBronchial asthma (asthma) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, involving a variety of cells and cellular components, that manifests clinically as recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, with or without chest tightness or cough, airway hyperresponsiveness, and variable airflow limitation. The number of people with asthma has reached 358 million worldwide and asthma causes huge economic loss. However, there is a subset of patients who are not sensitive to existing drugs and the existing drugs have many adverse effects. Therefore, it’s important to find new drugs for asthma patients.MethodsPublications related to biologics in asthma published from 2000 to 2022 were retrieved from Web of Science Core Collection. The search strategies were as follows: topic: TS=(biologic* OR “biologic* product*” OR “biologic* therap*” OR biotherapy* OR “biologic* agent*” OR Benralizumab OR “MEDI-563” OR Fasenra OR “BIW-8405” OR Dupilumab OR SAR231893 OR “SAR-231893” OR Dupixent OR REGN668 OR “REGN-668” OR Mepolizumab OR Bosatria OR “SB-240563” OR SB240563 OR Nucala OR Omalizumab OR Xolair OR Reslizumab OR “SCH-55700” OR SCH55700 OR “CEP-38072” OR CEP38072 OR Cinqair OR “DCP-835” OR DCP835 OR Tezspire OR “tezepelumab-ekko” OR “AMG-157” OR tezspire OR “MEDI-9929” OR “MEDI-19929” OR MEDI9929 OR Itepekimab OR “REGN-3500”OR REGN3500 OR “SAR-440340”OR SAR440340 OR Tralokinumab OR “CAT-354” OR Anrukinzumab OR “IMA-638” OR Lebrikizumab OR “RO-5490255”OR “RG-3637”OR “TNX-650”OR “MILR1444A”OR “MILR-1444A”OR”PRO301444”OR “PRO-301444”OR Pitrakinra OR altrakincept OR “AMG-317”OR”AMG317” OR Etokimab OR Pascolizumab OR “IMA-026”OR Enokizumab OR “MEDI-528”OR “7F3COM-2H2” OR 7F3COM2H2 OR Brodalumab OR “KHK-4827” OR “KHK4827”OR “AMG-827”OR Siliq OR Ligelizumab OR “QGE-031” OR QGE031 OR Quilizumab OR Talizumab OR “TNX-901” OR TNX901 OR Infliximab OR Etanercept OR “PRS-060”) AND TS=asthma*. The document type was set to articles and review articles and the language restriction was set to English. Three different analysis tools including one online platform, VOS viewer1.6.18, and CiteSpace V 6.1.R1 software were used to conduct this bibliometric study.ResultsThis bibliometric study included 1,267 English papers published in 244 journals from 2,012 institutions in 69 countries/regions. Omalizumab, benralizumab, mepolizumab, and tezepelumab in relation to asthma were the research hotspots in the field.ConclusionThis study systematically uncovers a holistic picture of existing literature related to the biologic treatment of asthma over the past 20 years. We consulted scholars in order to understand key information in this field from the perspective of bibliometrics, which we believe may greatly facilitate future research in this field.