bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lipid accumulation product is a better predictor of metabolic syndrome in Chinese adolescents: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Chen Zi-yi , Liu Lei , Zhuang Xu-xiu , Zhang Yi-cong , Ma Ya-nan , Liu Yang , Wen De-liang 
Published: June 2023

AimConfirm and compare the degree of associations of non-traditional lipid profiles and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Chinese adolescents, determine the lipid parameter with better predictive potential, and investigate their discriminatory power on MetS.MethodsMedical measurements, including anthropometric measurements and biochemical blood tests, were undergone among a total sample of 1112 adolescents (564 boys and 548 girls) aged from 13 to 18 years. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied for assessing the relationships between the levels of traditional/non-traditional lipid profiles and MetS. We performed Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analyses to mensurate the effectiveness of lipid accumulation product (LAP) on the diagnosis of MetS. Meanwhile, areas under the ROC curve and the cut-off values were calculated for MetS and its components.ResultsUnivariate analysis showed that all our lipid profiles were closely associated with MetS (P&lt; 0.05). LAP index showed the closest association with MetS than the other lipid profiles. Additionally, ROC analyses indicated that the LAP index showed sufficient capabilities to identify adolescents with MetS and its components.ConclusionThe LAP index is a simple and efficient tool to identify individuals with MetS in Chinese adolescents.
Biochar particle size coupled with biofertilizer enhances soil carbon-nitrogen microbial pools and CO2 sequestration in lentil
Authors: Ahmad Wiqar , Nepal Jaya , Zou Zhiyou , Munsif Fazal , Khan Aziz , Ahmad Ijaz , Zaheer Sajjad , Khan Muhammad Shahid , Jadoon Sultan Akbar , Tang Danfeng 
Published: June 2023

Introduction: Biochar and biofertilizer have emerged as sustainable soil amendments to improve soil fertility and quality. However, it is necessary to determine how biochar’s various particle sizes and biofertilizers affect soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN), and CO2 sequestration.Methods: This research examined two rhizobia inoculum products—Biozote-N and Rhizogold—along with three biochar particle sizes (&lt;2, 2–5, and 5–10 mm) under incubation intervals of 3, 6, and 10 days.Results: The MBC (µg g−1 soil) and MBN (µg g−1 soil) increased significantly (p &lt; 0.05), however, a significant (p &lt; 0.05) decrease in the organic C and mineralizable C within the &lt;2 mm biochar treatment was observed. With biochar size of 2 mm on day 3, the CO2 evolution was 25% lower, but it increased 4%–19% from day 6–10 compared to the other biochar sizes and the biochar control. Sizes 2 and 2–5 mm were 43% lower in MBN, whereas 5–10 mm was 70% lower (µg g−1 OC). Biozote-N outperformed Rhizogold and no-biofertilizer on days 6 and 10, registering 6% and 20% higher MBC (g g−1 soil/OC), respectively. No biofertilizer increased CO2 production by 14% and 23% on days 3 and 6, respectively. On day 10, however, CO2 production inside Biozote and Rhizogold plots increased by 67% and 45% relative to the control, respectively. Biofertilizers enhanced MBN (µg g−1 OC) by 37%, with the contribution of Biozote-N being 18% more than that of Rhizogold. The Biozote-N and Rhizogold plots had a 13 and 28% increase in mineralizable N compared to the control. After the spring (lentil) crop, there was a 5%–18% higher MBC (g g−1 soil), 6%–17% higher MBC (g g−1 OC), 2%–10% greater CO2 evolution, 23% higher MBN, and 77% higher mineralizable N than after the fall (maize) crop.Discussion: The results demonstrated the usefulness of Biozote-N for enhanced MBC and MBN, as they decreased C mineralization at the small biochar size (2 mm) even after 1 year of their combined application to lentil crop, showing that biochar-Biozote-N were more successful at boosting soil organic fertility and C sequestration.
The potential contribution of microplastic pollution by organic fertilizers in agricultural soils of Bangladesh: quantification, characterization, and risk appraisals
Authors: Rana Md. Mishail , Haque Md. Rashedul , Tasnim Sikder Sanchita , Rahman Md. Mostafizur 
Published: June 2023

Although plastics are being recycled worldwide, a significant amount of plastic is still directly exposed to the environment and, in the end, forms microplastic (MP) particles (&lt;5 mm). Soil is a significant sink for plastic waste. Thus, MP is considered an emerging threat to terrestrial ecosystems. Among several sources, organic fertilizer can be a potential source of MP to contaminate agricultural soils. Therefore, it is hypothesized that commercial organic fertilizer acts as a carrier of MP to agricultural soils in Bangladesh. Hence, 18 organic fertilizers were collected from different local markets in Bangladesh and subjected to the following available MP separation/extraction techniques. Then, a series of experimental steps were conducted, such as microscopic inspection, identification through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), to identify and characterize MP. The data were analyzed statistically using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. On average, 1,529.62 ± 420.2 MP items/kg of organic fertilizer were detected in the study, ranging from 433.33 ± 152.75 items/kg to 3,466.67 ± 1,357.69 items/kg in different organic fertilizers. The size range of 0.5 mm–1.00 mm (30%) was predominant among five different size ranges. The fiber was dominant over various shapes, and seven colors were observed, with black being the most prevalent. Overall, in a year, 971.31–1,387.37 items/m3 area was introduced through organic fertilizer to land. These MPs further contaminate soil biota and groundwater by their distribution pattern. According to the polymer hazard index (PHI), pollution load index (PLI), and potential ecological risk index (PERI), this organic fertilizer belongs to hazard categories III, V, and extreme danger, respectively. This study clearly explains the presence of MP in commercially available organic fertilizers and their probable effects. This could be applicable in further policy planning to reduce contaminants in formulating organic fertilizers.
Criteria for prioritizing selection of Mexican maize landrace accessions for conservation in situ or ex situ based on phylogenetic analysis
Authors: Martínez Octavio , Ojeda Adriana Ceniceros , Hayano-Kanashiro Corina , Reyes Valdés M. Humberto , Hernández José Luis Pons , Simpson June 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionA combination of factors including migration, climate change and the encroachment of growing cities are associated with the extinction of species and a reduction in biodiversity. In Mexico maize landraces are an important source of germplasm that could be invaluable for future breeding programs in response a changing environment. Efforts to develop conservation strategies are hampered by the costs of housing and maintaining large germplasm collections. Effective criteria are therefore needed to identify rare genotypes that are in danger of being lost and to define minimal cost-effective core collections.MethodsA large-scale genotyping analysis of Mexican maize landraces was carried out using 14 SSR markers spread across the 10 maize chromosomes. DNA was extracted from 30 individual plants of each accession and 3 bulks containing 220ng of DNA from each of 10 individual plants were prepared. Amplification reactions were carried out individually on each bulk sample and SSRs were detected using an automatic sequencer. Binary scores were used to produce phylogenies and a rareness index Ri was developed to identify a minimal collection of accessions.ResultsA total of 40,140 individual plants from accessions obtained in 14 different Mexican states and covering 47 maize races were analyzed. Accessions from Northern and Central-Southern states could be distinguished based on genotype and accessions from Michoacán state were found to be distinct to all other accessions. A minimal collection of 56 accessions that covered all identified alleles and included rare allele combinations was determined.DiscussionThe strategy employed successfully distinguished accessions from different regions of Mexico and identified rare germplasm and offers a cost effective method to determine minimal germplasm collections for conservation in situ or ex situ. The strategy could easily be adapted for use in other native crop species such as common bean, chili pepper and tomato among others.
Monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio as a predictor for patients with Takayasu arteritis and coronary involvement: a double-center, observational study
Authors: Ci Weiping , Wan Jin , Han Jing , Zou Kaiyuan , Ge Changjiang , Pan Lili , Jin Zening 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundThe implication of the monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR) in Takayasu arteritis (TAK) remains unclear.ObjectiveWe aimed to assess the predictive value of the MHR to identify coronary involvement with TAK and determine the patient prognosis.MethodsIn this retrospective study, 1,184 consecutive patients with TAK were collected and assessed, and those who were initially treated and with coronary angiography were enrolled and classified according to coronary involvement or no involvement. Binary logistic analysis was performed to assess coronary involvement risk factors. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis was used to determine the MHR value to predict coronary involvement in TAK. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) were recorded in patients with TAK and coronary involvement within a 1-year follow-up, and Kaplan–Meier survival curve analysis was conducted to compare MACEs between them stratified by the MHR.ResultsA total of 115 patients with TAK were included in this study, and 41 of them had coronary involvement. A higher MHR was found for TAK with coronary involvement than for TAK without coronary involvement (P = 0.014). Multivariate analysis showed that the MHR is an independent risk factor for coronary involvement in TAK (odds ratio: 92.718, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.813–3056.291, P = 0.011). With the best cut-off value of 0.35, the MHR identified coronary involvement with 53.7% sensitivity and 68.9% specificity [area under the curve (AUC): 0.639, 95% CI: 0.544–0.726, P=0.010] and identified left main disease and/or three-vessel disease (LMD/3VD) with 70.6% sensitivity and 66.3% specificity (AUC: 0.704, 95% CI: 0.612–0.786, P = 0.003) in TAK. Combined with other variables, the MHR identified coronary involvement with 63.4% sensitivity and 90.5% specificity (AUC: 0.852, 95% CI: 0.773–0.911, P &lt; 0.001), and identified LMD/3VD with 82.4% sensitivity and 78.6% specificity (AUC: 0.827, 95% CI: 0.720–0.934, P &lt; 0.001) in TAK. A total of 39 patients with TAK and coronary involvement were followed up for 1 year, and 5 patients suffered a MACE. Those with an MHR &gt;0.35 had a higher MACE incidence than their counterparts with an MHR ≤0.35 (χ2 = 4.757, P = 0.029).ConclusionsThe MHR could be a simple, practical biomarker for identifying coronary involvement and LMD/3VD in TAK and predicting a long-term prognosis.
Preservation solution Custodiol containing human alpha-1-antitrypsin improves graft recovery after prolonged cold ischemic storage in a rat model of heart transplantation
Authors: Korkmaz-Icöz Sevil , Abulizi Sophia , Li Kunsheng , Korkmaz Brice , Georgevici Adrian-Iustin , Sayour Alex Ali , Loganathan Sivakkanan , Canoglu Hansa , Karck Matthias , Szabó Gábor 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionThe shortage of available donor hearts and the risk of ischemia/reperfusion injury restrict heart transplantation (HTX). Alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), a well-characterized inhibitor of neutrophil serine protease, is used in augmentation therapy to treat emphysema due to severe AAT deficiency. Evidence demonstrates its additional anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective effects. We hypothesized that adding human AAT in a preservation solution reduces graft dysfunction in a rat model of HTX following extended cold ischemic storage.MethodsThe hearts from isogenic Lewis donor rats were explanted, stored for either 1h or 5h in cold Custodiol supplemented with either vehicle (1h ischemia, n=7 or 5h ischemia, n=7 groups) or 1 mg/ml AAT (1h ischemia+AAT, n=7 or 5h ischemia+AAT, n=9 groups) before heterotopic HTX. Left-ventricular (LV) graft function was evaluated in vivo 1.5h after HTX. Immunohistochemical detection of myeloperoxydase (MPO) was performed in myocardial tissue and expression of 88 gene quantified with PCR was analyzed both statistical and with machine-learning methods.ResultsAfter HTX, LV systolic function (dP/dtmax 1h ischemia+AAT 4197 ± 256 vs 1h ischemia 3123 ± 110; 5h ischemia+AAT 2858 ± 154 vs 5h ischemia 1843 ± 104mmHg/s, p&lt;0.05) and diastolic function (dP/dtmin 5h ischemia+AAT 1516 ± 68 vs 5h ischemia 1095 ± 67mmHg/s, p&lt;0.05) at an intraventricular volume of 90µl were improved in the AAT groups compared with the corresponding vehicle groups. In addition, the rate pressure product (1h ischemia+AAT 53 ± 4 vs 1h ischemia 26 ± 1; 5h ischemia+AAT 37 ± 3 vs 5h ischemia 21 ± 1mmHg*beats/min at an intraventricular volume of 90µl; p&lt;0.05) was increased in the AAT groups compared with the corresponding vehicle groups. Moreover, the 5h ischemia+AAT hearts exhibited a significant reduction in MPO-positive cell infiltration in comparison to the 5h ischemia group. Our computational analysis shows that ischemia+AAT network displays higher homogeneity, more positive and fewer negative gene correlations than the ischemia+placebo network.DiscussionWe provided experimental evidence that AAT protects cardiac grafts from prolonged cold ischemia during HTX in rats.
Identifying hub genes and common biological pathways between COVID-19 and benign prostatic hyperplasia by machine learning algorithms
Authors: Zhou Hang , Xu Mingming , Hu Ping , Li Yuezheng , Ren Congzhe , Li Muwei , Pan Yang , Wang Shangren , Liu Xiaoqiang 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundCOVID-19, a serious respiratory disease that has the potential to affect numerous organs, is a serious threat to the health of people around the world. The objective of this article is to investigate the potential biological targets and mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 affects benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and related symptoms.MethodsWe downloaded the COVID-19 datasets (GSE157103 and GSE166253) and the BPH datasets (GSE7307 and GSE132714) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. In GSE157103 and GSE7307, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found using the “Limma” package, and the intersection was utilized to obtain common DEGs. Further analyses followed, including those using Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI), Gene Ontology (GO) function enrichment analysis, and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Potential hub genes were screened using three machine learning methods, and they were later verified using GSE132714 and GSE166253. The CIBERSORT analysis and the identification of transcription factors, miRNAs, and drugs as candidates were among the subsequent analyses.ResultsWe identified 97 common DEGs from GSE157103 and GSE7307. According to the GO and KEGG analyses, the primary gene enrichment pathways were immune-related pathways. Machine learning methods were used to identify five hub genes (BIRC5, DNAJC4, DTL, LILRB2, and NDC80). They had good diagnostic properties in the training sets and were validated in the validation sets. According to CIBERSORT analysis, hub genes were closely related to CD4 memory activated of T cells, T cells regulatory and NK cells activated. The top 10 drug candidates (lucanthone, phytoestrogens, etoposide, dasatinib, piroxicam, pyrvinium, rapamycin, niclosamide, genistein, and testosterone) will also be evaluated by the P value, which is expected to be helpful for the treatment of COVID-19-infected patients with BPH.ConclusionOur findings reveal common signaling pathways, possible biological targets, and promising small molecule drugs for BPH and COVID-19. This is crucial to understand the potential common pathogenic and susceptibility pathways between them.
Azacitidine and lenalidomide combination: a novel relapse prophylaxis regimen after allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation in patients with acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Feng Yimei , Chen Ting , Zhang Yun , Yao Han , Wang Ping , Wang Lu , Cassady Kaniel , Zou Zhongmin , Liu Yuqing , Zhao Lu , Gao Lei , Zhang Xi , Kong Peiyan 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionWhile allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) can be a curative regimen for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), relapse of AML remains a serious risk post-transplantation. Once relapsed, salvage options are limited and management of AML is difficult. Here we designed a prospective study to examine the efficacy and tolerability of maintenance therapy with azacytidine (AZA) plus low-dose lenalidomide (LEN) to prevent relapse after allo-HSCT for AML patients (ChiCTR2200061803).MethodsAML patients post-allo-HSCT were treated with AZA (75 mg/m2 for 7 days), followed by LEN (5 mg/m2, day 10-28), and a 4-week resting interval, which was defined as one treatment cycle. A total of 8 cycles was recommended. Results37 patients were enrolled, 25 patients received at least 5 cycles, and 16 patients finished all 8 cycles. With a median follow-up time of 608 (43-1440) days, the estimated 1-year disease free survival (DFS) was 82%, cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) was 18%, and overall survival (OS) was 100%. Three patients (8%) had grade 1-2 neutropenia without fever; one patient developed grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia and minor subdural hematoma; 4/37 patients (11%) developed chronic GVHD with a score of 1-2, without requiring systemic treatment; No patient developed acute GVHD. After AZA/LEN prophylaxis, increasing numbers of CD56+NK and CD8+ T, and decreasing of CD19+ B cells were observed. DiscussionAzacitidine combined with low-dose lenalidomide was observed to be an effective relapse prophylaxis option after allo-HSCT in AML patients, and can be administered safely without significantly increasing the risk of GVHD, infection and other AEs.Clinical Trial Registrationwww.chictr.org, identifier ChiCTR2200061803.
Deficiency in the production of antibodies to lipids correlates with increased lipid metabolism in severe COVID-19 patients
Authors: Piédrola Ignacio , Martínez Sara , Gradillas Ana , Villaseñor Alma , Alonso-Herranz Vanesa , Sánchez-Vera Isabel , Escudero Esther , Martín-Antoniano Isabel A. , Varona Jose Felipe , Ruiz Andrés , Castellano Jose María , Muñoz Úrsula , Sádaba María C. 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundAntibodies to lipids are part of the first line of defense against microorganisms and regulate the pro/anti-inflammatory balance. Viruses modulate cellular lipid metabolism to enhance their replication, and some of these metabolites are proinflammatory. We hypothesized that antibodies to lipids would play a main role of in the defense against SARS-CoV-2 and thus, they would also avoid the hyperinflammation, a main problem in severe condition patients.MethodsSerum samples from COVID-19 patients with mild and severe course, and control group were included. IgG and IgM to different glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids were analyzed using a high-sensitive ELISA developed in our laboratory. A lipidomic approach for studying lipid metabolism was performed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS).ResultsMild and severe COVID-19 patients had higher levels of IgM to glycerophosphocholines than control group. Mild COVID-19 patients showed higher levels of IgM to glycerophosphoinositol, glycerophosphoserine and sulfatides than control group and mild cases. 82.5% of mild COVID-19 patients showed IgM to glycerophosphoinositol or glycerophosphocholines plus sulfatides or glycerophosphoserines. Only 35% of severe cases and 27.5% of control group were positive for IgM to these lipids. Lipidomic analysis identify a total of 196 lipids, including 172 glycerophospholipids and 24 sphingomyelins. Increased levels of lipid subclasses belonging to lysoglycerophospholipids, ether and/or vinyl-ether-linked glycerophospholipids, and sphingomyelins were observed in severe COVID-19 patients, when compared with those of mild cases and control group.ConclusionAntibodies to lipids are essential for defense against SARS-CoV-2. Patients with low levels of anti-lipid antibodies have an elevated inflammatory response mediated by lysoglycerophospholipids. These findings provide novel prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Evaluation of neoadjuvant immunotherapy plus chemotherapy in Chinese surgically resectable gastric cancer: a pilot study by meta-analysis
Authors: Xu Hao , Li Tengyun , Shao Guoyi , Wang Weizhi , He Zhongyuan , Xu Jianghao , Qian Yawei , Liu Hongda , Ge Han , Wang Linjun , Zhang Diancai , Yang Li , Li Fengyuan , Xu Zekuan 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundRecently, the use of immunochemotherapy in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer (GC) has been increasing and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors combined with chemotherapy has become the first-line treatment for advanced GC. However, few studies with small sample sizes have examined this treatment regimen to assess its effectiveness and safety in the neoadjuvant treatment phase of resectable local advanced GC.Materials and methodsHerein, we systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Web of Science for clinical trials on neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy (nICT) in advanced GC. The primary outcomes were effectiveness [evaluated by major pathological response (MPR) and pathological complete response (pCR)] and safety [assessed by grade 3–4 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) and postoperative complications]. A meta-analysis of non-comparative binary results was performed to aggregate the primary outcomes. Direct comparative analysis was used to compare pooled results of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (nCT) with nICT. The outcomes emerged as risk ratios (RR).ResultsFive articles with 206 patients were included, and all of them were from the Chinese population. The pooled pCR and MPR rates were 26.5% (95% CI: 21.3%–33.3%) and 49.0% (95% CI: 42.3%–55.9%), while grade 3–4 TRAEs and post-operative complication rates were 20.0% (95% CI: 9.1%–39.8%) and 30.1% (95% CI: 23.1%–37.9%), respectively. Direct comparison showed that with the exception of grade 3–4 TRAEs and postoperative complications, all outcomes including pCR, MPR, and R0 resection rate favoured nICT to nCT.ConclusionnICT is a promising strategy for use as an advisable neoadjuvant treatment for patients with advanced GC in Chinese population. However, more phase III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) will be required to further consolidate the efficacy and safety of this regimen.