bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Carbon stored in live ponderosa pines in the Sierra Nevada will not return to pre-drought (2012) levels during the 21st century due to bark beetle outbreaks
Authors: Robbins Zachary J. , Xu Chonggang , Jonko Alex , Chitra-Tarak Rutuja , Fettig Christopher J. , Costanza Jennifer , Mortenson Leif A. , Aukema Brian H. , Kueppers Lara M. , Scheller Robert M. 
Published: March 2023

Outbreaks of several bark beetle species can develop rapidly in response to drought and may result in large transfers of carbon (C) stored in live trees to C stored in dead trees (10s of Tg C yr-1in the western U.S. alone), which over time will be released back to the atmosphere. The western pine beetle (WPB) outbreak incited by the 2012–2015 mega-drought in the Sierra Nevada, California, U.S., could portend more frequent and/or severe bark beetle outbreaks as the temperature warms and drought frequency and intensity increase in the future. However, changes in the frequency and/or severity (resultant levels of host tree mortality) of beetle outbreaks are difficult to predict as outbreaks are complex with non-linear and eruptive processes primarily driven by interactions among beetle populations, the demography of hosts and other tree species, and climate and weather. Using an insect phenology and tree defense model, we projected the future likelihood of WPB outbreaks in the Sierra Nevada with climate drivers from different Earth System Models. Our goal was to understand how host (ponderosa pine, PIPO) recovery and future warming and drought affect the frequency and severity of WPB outbreaks and their C consequences. Our projections suggested that by 2100 the C stored in live PIPO (mean: 1.98 kg C m-2,95% CI: 1.74–2.21 kg C m-2) will not return to levels that occurred before the 2012–2015 drought (2012: ∼2.30 kg C m-2) due to future WPB outbreaks. However, differences in climate models indicate a wide range of possible WPB outbreak frequencies and severities. Our results suggest that total plot basal area is the most significant factor in the mortality rate of PIPO by WPB in any given year, followed by drought severity and temperature. High levels of host basal area, higher temperature, and extreme drought all contribute to the frequency and severity of future WPB outbreaks. While PIPO basal area may decline under increased drought and warming, limiting high-stand basal area (&gt;60 m2 ha-1) may reduce the severity of future WPB outbreaks in the Sierra Nevada.
The impact of cytoreductive nephrectomy on survival outcomes in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma receiving immunotherapy: An evidence-based analysis of comparative outcomes
Authors: Li Kun-peng , Chen Si-yu , Wang Chen-yang , Li Xiao-ran , Yang Li 
Published: March 2023

PurposeThe prognostic impact of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) in the era of immunotherapy is yet to be determined. The aim of our study is to evaluate the correlation between CN and outcomes in the setting of mRCC treated with immunotherapy.MethodsWe conducted a systematic search of the Science, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases to identify relevant studies published in English up to December 2022. The results were presented as hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for overall survival (OS) was extracted to assess their relevance. The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022383026).ResultsA total of 2397 patients were included in eight studies. The CN group was observed to be correlated with superior OS compared to the No CN group (HR = 0.53, 95% CI 0.39–0.71, p &lt; 0.0001). Subgroup analysis according to the type of immunotherapy, sample size, and treatment line of immune checkpoint inhibitor revealed that CN group had a superior OS in all subgroups.ConclusionCN is associated with a better outcome in terms of OS benefit in selected patients with mRCC treated by immunotherapy, but further studies are required to verify the conclusions.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42022383026.
Variations in fish community composition and trophic structure under multiple drivers in the Beibu Gulf
Authors: Peng Shuai , Wang Xuehui , Du Feiyan , Sun Dianrong , Wang Yuezhong , Chen Pimao , Qiu Yongsong 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionBeibu Gulf is a semi-enclosed bay with important ecological and economic value of the northwestern South China Sea (SCS). It proved to be a stressed ecosystem and therefore clearly vulnerable to further external disturbances.MethodsData from 26 fishery bottom trawl surveys in the Beibu Gulf from 2006 to 2018 are analyzed to reveal changes in the fish abundance, dominant species composition, diversity, mean trophic level (MTL), and fishing-in-balance (FiB) index.ResultsFish abundance decreased significantly (p&lt; 0.05) with increased anthropogenic disturbance (e.g., fishing intensity and land-derived pollutants), with catch per unit effort (CPUE) decreasing from 40.69 kg·h−1 in 2006 to 15.84 kg·h−1 in 2018. Dominant species composition has changed dramatically from 2006 to 2018, with fish communities shifting from demersal to pelagic species, and from large and high-trophic-level species to small and low-trophic-level species. Meanwhile, Margalef’s richness and Shannon–Wiener diversity indexes trend downward. The MTL declines from 3.82 in 2006 to 3.71 in 2018 (at 0.08 trophic level per decade), and decreasing with the decrease of the proportion of high-trophic fish and demersal fish in total catch (p&lt; 0.05). A FiB index tends to be less than 0, this index declines with decreasing MTL and fish abundance (p&lt; 0.05).DiscussionOverall, fish stocks in the Beibu Gulf continue to decline and are currently overexploited. Multiple external disturbances, such as fishing (including overfishing, dominance of trawl fishery, and ‘skipper effect’), habitat disturbance, pollution, and temperature changes, may have contributed to significant changes in fish communities and trophic structure in the Beibu Gulf.
Fracture characteristics of a cement concrete pavement plate considering subgrade modulus decay based on a meshless finite block method
Authors: Wei Hui , Zhou Yu , Huang Wang , Wen Pihua , Li Jue 
Published: March 2023

The decrease in the subgrade modulus immersed in rainwater can significantly increase the fracture risk of a cement concrete pavement plate. The aim of this study was to develop a meshless finite block method (MFBM) to reveal the failure mechanism of a cement concrete pavement due to the weakening of the subgrade modulus. A normal distribution function was adopted in this study to represent the distribution of the subgrade modulus at the bottom of the cement concrete pavement plate. The settlement results show that the progressive softening model of soil subgrade is more suitable to represent subgrade modulus decay. The maximum stress of the cement concrete pavement mainly concentrates at 1.05–1.15 m of the plate edge. The weak fracture position is influenced by the subgrade modulus reduction, the size of the immersion range, and the pavement and subgrade thickness. When improving the subgrade modulus, adding plate thickness appropriately can effectively control the cracking of the cement concrete pavement. Compared with the finite element model, it is proved that the proposed MFBM has an advantage in the solution of pavement fracture with high accuracy and less computation time. In addition, findings in this study may provide evidence for understanding the effect of the subgrade modulus on the durable pavement design.
Case report: Muscular tuberculosis with lower-extremity muscular masses as the initial presentation: Clinicopathological analysis of two cases and review of the literature
Authors: Zhu Xiao-wei , Luan Xing-hua , Jiang Kai-li , Zhang Chao , Liu Shi-hua , Cao Li , Zhong Ping , Liu Zhi-yan 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) is a threat to public health that mostly affects people in developing countries. TB presenting as a soft tissue mass is rare and is usually seen in patients with muscular tuberculosis (MT).Case presentationIn this study, we present the clinical, radiographic, and pathological features of two cases and retrospective evaluations of an additional 28 patients who were diagnosed with MT. More patients were men (60.9%) than women (39.1%), with a male-to-female ratio of 1.6:1. The average age among male and female patients was 38.9 and 30.1 years, respectively. MT usually presents with painful or painless muscular nodules on the lower limbs. Imaging findings, including ultrasound, CT, and MRI, can be used to identify lesions and sites for biopsy. The most typical histopathological feature of MT is granulomatous inflammation with caseous necrosis and epithelioid granulomata. Acid-fast bacilli stain and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays are helpful in identifying tubercle bacillus.ConclusionWe describe two MT cases with lower-extremity muscular masses as the initial presentation. The results suggest that muscle biopsy and pathological analysis remain necessary for diagnosis. Most of the patients could be cured with standard antituberculosis therapy.
Serum syndecan-1 concentration in hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets syndrome: A case report
Authors: Nishio Ayane , Kamidani Ryo , Okada Hideshi , Suzuki Keiko , Suzuki Kodai , Miyake Takahito , Okamoto Haruka , Doi Tomoaki , Suzuki Akio , Yoshida Shozo , Ogura Shinji 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundHemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome occurs in pregnant and postpartum individuals. We observed serum syndecan-1 (SDC-1) levels, which is a component of the glycocalyx, in a patient with HELLP syndrome from admission to the postpartum period and examined their association as reflecting the pathophysiology related to endothelial injury.Case presentationA 31-year-old primiparous female patient without a previous medical history at a gestational age of 37 weeks and 6 days was transferred to our hospital the morning after a visit to a previous hospital with headache and nausea. Elevated transaminase, platelet count, and proteinuria were noted. Head magnetic resonance imaging revealed a caudate nucleus hemorrhage and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. After she delivered her newborn through an emergency cesarean section, she was admitted to the intensive care unit. On day 4 post-delivery, the patient’s D-dimer concentration was elevated, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography was performed. The results indicated pulmonary embolism, and heparin administration was initiated. The serum SDC-1 level was highest on day 1 post-delivery and quickly decreased subsequently; however, it remained elevated during the postpartum period. Her condition gradually improved, and she was extubated on day 6 and discharged from the ICU on day 7 post-delivery.ConclusionWe measured SDC-1 concentration in a patient with HELLP syndrome and found that the clinical course correlated with SDC-1 levels, indicating that SDC-1 is elevated immediately before and after pregnancy termination in patients with HELLP syndrome. Therefore, SDC-1 fluctuations, combined with the elevation of the D-dimer level, may be a potential marker for the early detection of HELLP syndrome and estimation of the syndrome’s severity in the future.
An impact of age on respiratory syncytial virus infection in air-liquid-interface culture bronchial epithelium
Authors: Ito Kazuhiro , Daly Leah , Coates Matthew 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundElderly people are known to be vulnerable to virus infection. However, this has not been appropriately tested in in vitro studies due to a lack of appropriate virus infection models. In this report, we investigated the impact of age on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in pseudostratified air-liquid-interface (ALI) culture bronchial epithelium, which more closely mimic human airway epithelium morphologically and physiologically, than submerged cancer cell line cultures.MethodsRSV A2 was inoculated apically to the bronchial epithelium obtained from 8 donors with different ages (28–72 years old), and time-profiles of viral load and inflammatory cytokines were analyzed.ResultsRSV A2 replicated well in ALI-culture bronchial epithelium. The viral peak day and peak viral load were similar between donors at ≤60 years old (n = 4) and  &gt; 65 years old (n = 4; elderly group), but virus clearance was impaired in the elderly group. Furthermore, area under the curve (AUC) analysis, calculated from viral load peak to the end of sample collection (from Day 3 to 10 post inoculation), revealed statistically higher live viral load (PFU assay) and viral genome copies (PCR assay) in the elderly group, and a positive correlation between viral load and age was observed. In addition, the AUCs of RANTES, LDH, and dsDNA (cell damage marker) were statistically higher in the elderly group, and the elderly group showed a trend of higher AUC of CXCL8, CXCL10 and mucin production. The gene expression of p21CDKN1A (cellular senescence marker) at baseline was also higher in the elderly group, and there was a good positive correlation between basal p21 expression and viral load or RANTES (AUC).ConclusionAge was found to be a key factor affecting viral kinetics and biomarkers post virus infection in an ALI-culture model. Currently, novel or innovative in vitro cell models are introduced for virus research, but when virus studies are conducted, similarly to working with other clinical samples, the age balance is important to obtain more accurate results.
The value of the MIND diet in the primary and secondary prevention of hypertension: A cross-sectional and longitudinal cohort study from NHANES analysis
Authors: Song Yanjun , Chang Zhen'ge , Cui Kongyong , Song Chenxi , Cai Zhongxing , Shi Boqun , Dong Qiuting , Dou Kefei 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundThe Mediterranean-Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension for neurodegenerative delay (MIND) has been regarded as a novel healthy dietary pattern with huge benefits. However, its value in preventing and treating hypertension has not been investigated. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of adhering to the MIND diet on the prevalence of hypertension in the entire population and long-term mortality in hypertensive patients.MethodsIn this cross-sectional and longitudinal study, 6,887 participants consisting of 2,984 hypertensive patients in the National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys were analyzed and divided into 3 groups according to the MIND diet scores (MDS; groups of MDS-low [&lt;7.5], MDS-medium [7.5–8.0] and MDS-high [≥8.5]). In the longitudinal analysis, the primary outcome was all-cause death and the secondary outcome was cardiovascular (CV) death. Hypertensive patients received a follow-up with a mean time of 9.25 years (median time: 111.1 months, range 2 to 120 months). Multivariate logistics regression models and Cox proportional hazards models were applicated to estimate the association between MDS and outcomes. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) was used to estimate the dose–response relationship.ResultsCompared with the MDS-low group, participants in the MDS-high group presented a significantly lower prevalence of hypertension (odds ratio [OR] 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58, 0.97, p = 0.040) and decreased levels of systolic blood pressure (β = −0.41, p = 0.033). Among hypertensive patients, 787 (26.4%) all-cause death consisting of 293 (9.8%) CV deaths were recorded during a 10-year follow-up. Hypertensive patients in the MDS-high group presented a significantly lower prevalence of ASCVD (OR = 0.71, 95% CI, 0.51, 0.97, p = 0.043), and lower risk of all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.69, 95% CI, 0.58, 0.81, p &lt; 0.001) and CV death (HR = 0.62, 95% CI, 0.46, 0.85, p for trend = 0.001) when compared with those in the MDS-low group.ConclusionFor the first time, this study revealed the values of the MIND diet in the primary and secondary prevention of hypertension, suggesting the MIND diet as a novel anti-hypertensive dietary pattern.
Metabolomic analysis of the effects of a mixed culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum on the physicochemical and quality characteristics of apple cider vinegar
Authors: Li Ya-Nan , Luo Yue , Lu Zhen-Ming , Dong Yan-Lin , Chai Li-Juan , Shi Jin-Song , Zhang Xiao-Juan , Xu Zheng-Hong 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionThis study compared differences in physicochemical characteristics of the vinegar made by a mixed culture (MC) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and a pure culture (PC) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.MethodsThe fermentation process was monitored, and metabolomics analysis by Liquid Chromagraphy-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) was applied to the compositional differences between PC and MC vinegars, combined with quantification of organic acids, amino acids and B vitamins.ResultsA total of 71 differential metabolites including amino acids, organic acids and carbohydrates, and six possible key metabolic pathways were identified. MC enhanced the malic acid utilization and pyruvate acid metabolism during fermentation, increasing substrate-level phosphorylation, and supplying more energy for cellular metabolism. Higher acidity at the beginning of acetic acid fermentation, resulting from lactic acid production by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in MC, suppressed the cellular metabolism and growth of Acetobacter pasteurianus, but enhanced its alcohol metabolism and acetic acid production in MC. MC vinegar contained more vitamin B, total flavonoids, total organic acids, amino acids and had a higher antioxidant capacity. MC enhanced the volatile substances, particularly ethyl lactate, ethyl caprate and ethyl caproate, which contributed to a stronger fruity aroma.DiscussionThese results indicated the mixed culture in alcoholic fermentation can effectively enhance the flavor and quality of apple cider vinegar.
Development and validation of a combined hypoxia and ferroptosis prognostic signature for breast cancer
Authors: Zhong Jianxin , Shen Xi , Zhou Junjie , Yu Heping , Wang Birong , Sun Jianbin , Wang Jing , Liu Feng 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundHypoxia is involved in tumor biological processes and disease progression. Ferroptosis, as a newly discovered programmed cell death process, is closely related to breast cancer (BC) occurrence and development. However, reliable prognostic signatures based on a combination of hypoxia and ferroptosis in BC have not been developed.MethodWe set The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) breast cancer cohort as training set and the Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium (METABRIC) BC cohort as the validation set. Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) and COX regression approaches were used to construct ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) and hypoxia-related genes (HRGs) prognostic signature (HFRS). The CIBERSORT algorithm and ESTIMATE score were used to explore the relationship between HFRS and tumor immune microenvironment. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect protein expression in tissue samples. A nomogram was developed to advance the clinical application of HFRS signature.ResultsTen ferroptosis-related genes and hypoxia-related genes were screened to construct the HFRS prognostic signature in TCGA BC cohort, and the predictive capacity was verified in METABRIC BC cohort. BC patients with high-HFRS had shorter survival time, higher tumor stage, and a higher rate of positive lymph node. Moreover, high HFRS was associated with high hypoxia, ferroptosis, and immunosuppression status. A nomogram that was constructed with age, stage, and HFRS signature showed a strong prognostic capability to predict overall survival (OS) for BC patients.ConclusionWe developed a novel prognostic model with hypoxia and ferroptosis-related genes to predict OS, and characterize the immune microenvironment of BC patients, which might provide new cures for clinical decision-making and individual treatment of BC patients.
Scoring model to predict postoperative neurological deterioration in spinal schwannoma
Authors: Liu Zongchi , Xu Zihan , Shen Jie , Zhang Tiesong , Lin Hongwei , Zhou Lihui , Wu Fan , Zhang Luyuan , Weng Yuxiang , Zhan Renya , Zhu Yu , Gong Jiangbiao 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundSpinal schwannomas (SSs) are benign tumors affecting the nerve sheath, accounting for 25% of spinal nerve root tumors. Surgery represents the mainstay of treatment for SS patients. Following surgery, approximately 30% of patients experienced developed new or worsening neurological deterioration, which probably represented an inevitable complication of nerve sheath tumor surgery. The objective of this study was to identify the rates of new or worsening neurological deterioration in our center and accurately predict the neurological outcomes of patients with SS by developing a new scoring model.MethodsA total of 203 patients were retrospectively enrolled at our center. Risk factors associated with postoperative neurological deterioration were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis. β–coefficients for independent risk factors were used to define a numerical score to generate a scoring model. The validation cohort at our center was used to verify the accuracy and reliability of the scoring model. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the performance of the scoring model.ResultsIn this study, five measured variables were selected for the scoring model: duration of preoperative symptoms (1 point), radiating pain (2 points), tumor size (2 points), tumor site (1 point), and dumbbell tumor (1 point). The scoring model divided the spinal schwannoma patients into three categories: low risk (0-2 points), intermediate risk (3-5 points), and high risk (6-7 points), with predicted risks of neurological deterioration of 8.7%, 36%, and 87.5%, respectively. And the validation cohort confirmed the model with the predicted risks of 8.6%, 46.4%, and 66.6%, respectively.ConclusionThe new scoring model might intuitively and individually predict the risk of neurological deterioration and may aid individualized treatment decision-making for SS patients.
Preserving the rectus femoris and improving limb function after total femoral prosthesis replacement following resection of femoral malignant tumors
Authors: Wu Fan , Fang Xiang , Yuan Dechao , Xiong Yan , Luo Yi , Zhang Wenli , Tu Chongqi , Duan Hong 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundCurrent research is focused on the factors that influence the maintenance of limb function after total femoral replacement. This retrospective study investigated the difference in functional outcomes in patients with invasion of the rectus femoris vs. an intact rectus femoris that underwent total femoral replacement with a modular total femur prosthesis.MethodsThe medical records of patients who underwent total femoral replacement with a modular total femur prosthesis between July 2010 and March 2017 at our institute were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups: group A had invasion of the rectus femoris and group B had an intact rectus femoris. Functional status was assessed using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Rating Scale (MSTS) and the Harris Hip Score (HHS). Complications were assessed using the International Society of Limb Salvage classification that was published in 2011 and modified in 2014.ResultsThe mean total MSTS score (23.0 ± 4.8 vs. 17.6 ± 3.1; P = 0.02) and the mean total HHS score (80.17 ± 6.24 vs. 55.38 ± 13.30; P = 0.001) were significantly higher in patients with intact rectus femoris compared with patients with invasion of the rectus femoris. Patients with an intact rectus femoris achieved significantly better limb function (support and gait) and active range of motion (P &lt; 0.05). The overall complication rate was 35.7%.ConclusionsFunctional outcomes after total femoral replacement were significantly better in patients with an intact rectus femoris compared with patients with invasion of the rectus femoris, possibly because more muscle mass can be preserved around the femur in patients with an intact rectus femoris.