bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical and genetic analysis of atypical parathyroid adenoma compared with parathyroid carcinoma and benign lesions in a Chinese cohort
Authors: Chen Yingyu , Song An , Nie Min , Jiang Yan , Li Mei , Xia Weibo , Wang Ou , Xing Xiaoping 
Published: January 2023

ContextThe malignant potential and molecular signature of atypical parathyroid adenoma (APA) remain elusive. Data from Asia are still lacking.Design and settingThis was a retrospective study on a large APA cohort in a single center from mainland China.MethodsA total of 320 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), containing 79 APA, 79 Parathyroid cancer (PC) and 162 benign lesions cases, were enrolled after surgery for collection of clinical data and genetic analysis.ResultsAPA patients showed earlier mean onset age than benign group (46.9 ± 17.1 vs. 52.0 ± 14.3 yrs). Less bone involvement and gastrointestinal symptoms were presented in APA compared to PC (35.4% vs. 62.0%, and 17.7% vs. 41.8%), while more urolithiasis was seen in APA than in benign lesions (57.0% vs. 29.6%). The APA group had moderate hypercalcemia (mean 3.02 ± 0.44mmol/L) with elevated serum PTH (median 593.0pg/ml) and proportion of hypercalcemic crisis as 22.8%, all higher than those of benign lesions but lower than those of PC group. The recurrence/no remission rate of the APA group was significantly lower than that of the PC and similar to the benign group (5.1% vs. 31.6% vs. 3.1%). Germline CDC73 mutation was the most common molecular abnormality in both PC and APA subjects. APA patients with nonsynonymous germline variants showed earlier onset age (28.5 ± 16.9 vs. 48.1 ± 17.7 yrs) and more cases developing no remission/recurrence (25.0% vs. 0.0%).ConclusionsPatients with APA presented clinical and biochemical characteristics much less severe than PC and resembling the benign neoplasms, with a relatively good prognosis. Germline gene variations were associated with earlier onset and probably more recurrence of PHPT in APA.
Methods for the detection and characterization of boat paint microplastics in the marine environment
Authors: Gondikas Andreas , Mattsson Karin , Hassellöv Martin 
Published: January 2023

Microplastics in the marine environment have been the focus of intense research recently, however little attention has been given to boat paint sources, despite its direct influence on the marine ecosystem. This is largely due to the lack of established analytical methods. Microplastics from boating sources may originate from antifouling paints on the underwater body, surface coatings on the top sides, deck, and superstructure, as well as plastic parts of the boat construction. Their release can occur during construction, operation (leisure boats and commercial ships), service, and maintenance, from the materials themselves or used chemicals (e.g., abrasive detergents). Most importantly, boat paint microplastics containing biocides, such as the metals copper and zinc, and particles containing tin (residues from old or current use of tributyl-tin ship hull paints) should raise higher concern on potential environmental impacts. This study aims to provide practical insight on methods for the quantification of boat paint microplastics in marine waters and provide a baseline survey on their occurrence. Sampling and analysis methods are applied on case studies, i.e., marinas on the Swedish coast. A multi-method approach for identifying and characterizing boat paint microplastics based on visual and chemical characteristics is presented. In general, the measured content of biocide-containing microplastics was remarkably high in all marinas, with concentration levels of copper-rich particles &gt;10 μm between 400 and 1400 particles per L. Given that biocide paint particles are manufactured to be toxic, it is particularly important to take into account field measurements in future environmental status assessments. This work underlines the importance of monitoring data in the action work between relevant authorities and stakeholders.
Bioclimatic drivers of forage growth and cover in alpine rangelands
Authors: Wang Li , Ma Wenmei , Zhou Dan , Chen Qi , Liu Lu , Li Long 
Published: January 2023

ContextClimate change and human activities have significant impacts on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau; the alpine ecosystem in this region has been degraded. A decline in forage yield reduces the livestock carrying capacity, but an unmitigated increase may lead to overfeeding and damage to vegetation. These changes have eventually led to grassland degradation and a series of ecological problems. Therefore, it is essential to examine bioclimatic factors that affect forage growth in grasslands.ObjectiveTo identify bioclimatic factors associated with forage growth and coverage in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau.MethodsWe examined how forage growth and coverage are affected by 35 bioclimatic indicators published in a global database (CMCC-BioClimInd).Results and conclusionsWe comprehensively considered the relationship between 35 indicators and forage yield and coverage and found that the combination of temperature and precipitation indicators had a very high correlation with yield and coverage. When we evaluated the relationship between each index and forage yield, forage yield was found to be significantly correlated with 16 bioclimatic indices. Forage yield was positively correlated with yearly positive precipitation (R2 = 0.49, p &lt; 0.05), annual precipitation (R2 = 0.48, p &lt; 0.05), and precipitation of driest quarter (R2 = 0.47, p &lt; 0.05), and negatively correlated with temperature seasonality (R2 = 0.52, p &lt; 0.05), precipitation seasonality (R2 = 0.39, p &lt; 0.05), and simplified continentality index (R2 = 0.48). Forage coverage was significantly correlated with 15 bioclimatic indicators. It showed positive correlations with precipitation of driest quarter (R2 = 0.36, p &lt; 0.05), precipitation of driest month (R2 = 0.33, p &lt; 0.05), and annual precipitation (R2 = 0.31, p &lt; 0.05), and negative correlations with temperature seasonality (R2 = 0.415, p &lt; 0.05), annual temperature range, precipitation seasonality, and simplified continentality index (R2 = 0.37, p &lt; 0.05).SignificanceWe identified bioclimatic indicators that affect forage growth in the northeastern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, and explored the physiological and ecological mechanisms underlying forage growth. Our results provide a scientific basis for future forage management, early determination of livestock carrying capacity, rational management of animal husbandry practices, and ecological protection and restoration efforts.
Positive long-term effects of year-round horse grazing in orchid-rich dry calcareous grasslands–Results of a 12-year study
Authors: Köhler Martina , Schmidt Annika , Hölzel Norbert , Baasch Annett , Tischew Sabine 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionDry calcareous grasslands are among the most species-rich habitats worldwide but strongly endangered by abandonment causing a severe decline of characteristic species such as orchids. To counteract further degradation, economically sustainable restoration tools such as megaherbivore grazing, that aim to substitute extinct wild grazers, should be considered. However, the long-term effects on target species of dry grasslands, and in particular for orchid populations, is still unclear.MethodsTo contribute to this knowledge gap, we applied vegetation surveys (5 m  ×  5 m), as well as large-scale census-based orchid observation and mapping of habitat structures (50 m  ×  50 m) in a year-round grazing scheme of a Natura 2000 site in Central Germany over 12 years. The horses and their grazing activity were observed via GPS telemetry. We fitted linear mixed models to evaluate whether Ophrys apifera density was affected by horse feeding frequency, habitat structure variables (bare soil patches, woody plant cover), grassland type or years.ResultsA The main results were that the target dry calcareous grassland vegetation significantly increased in species numbers and cover. The total abundance of O. apifera increased from 1,237 (2013) and 1,893 (2018), to 4,652 (2021) individuals. Ophrys apifera density was positively affected by horse feeding frequency as well as grazing-induced enhanced bare soil patches but underlying mechanisms varied between the three classified grassland types.DiscussionOur results indicate that low-intensity year-round horse grazing as a relatively new restoration tool in dry calcareous grasslands has the potential to enhance floristic biodiversity in general, and particularly O. apifera density in the long run. Furthermore, we showed that highvalue xeric grasslands with outstanding orchid abundances can be integrated into the year-round grazing system and that there is no need of fencing off such sections.
The roles of fungus in CNS autoimmune and neurodegeneration disorders
Authors: Wu Chuyu , Jiang Mei-Ling , Jiang Runqui , Pang Tao , Zhang Cun-Jin 
Published: January 2023

Fungal infection or proliferation in our body is capable of initiation of strong inflammation and immune responses that result in different consequences, including infection-trigged organ injury and inflammation-related remote organ dysfunction. Fungi associated infectious diseases have been well recognized in the clinic. However, whether fungi play an important role in non-infectious central nervous system disease is still to be elucidated. Recently, a growing amount of evidence point to a non-negligible role of peripheral fungus in triggering unique inflammation, immune response, and exacerbation of a range of non-infectious CNS disorders, including Multiple sclerosis, Neuromyelitis optica, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis et al. In this review, we summarized the recent advances in recognizing patterns and inflammatory signaling of fungi in different subsets of immune cells, with a specific focus on its function in CNS autoimmune and neurodegeneration diseases. In conclusion, the fungus is capable of triggering unique inflammation by multiple mechanisms in the progression of a body of CNS non-infectious diseases, suggesting it serves as a key factor and critical novel target for the development of potential therapeutic strategies.
RAGE contributes to allergen driven severe neutrophilic airway inflammation via NLRP3 inflammasome activation in mice
Authors: Killian Katherine N. , Kosanovich Jessica L. , Lipp Madeline A. , Empey Kerry M. , Oury Tim D. , Perkins Timothy N. 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundAsthma is a major public healthcare burden, affecting over 300 million people worldwide. While there has been great progress in the treatment of asthma, subsets of patients who present with airway neutrophilia, often have more severe disease, and tend to be resistant to conventional corticosteroid treatments. The receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of eosinophilic asthma, however, it’s role in neutrophilic asthma remains largely uninvestigated.MethodsA mouse model of severe steroid resistant neutrophilic airway disease (SSRNAD) using the common fungal allergen Alternaria alternata (AA) was employed to evaluate the effects of genetic ablation of RAGE and pharmacological inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome on neutrophilic airway inflammation.ResultsAA exposure induced robust neutrophil-dominant airway inflammation and increased BALF levels of Th1/Th17 cytokines in wild-type mice, which was significantly reduced in RAGE-/- mice. Serum levels of IgE and IgG1 were increased similarly in both wild-type and RAGE-/- mice. Pharmacological inhibition of NLRP3 blocked the effects of AA exposure and NLRP3 inflammasome activation was RAGE-dependent. Neutrophil extracellular traps were elevated in the BALF of wild-type but not RAGE-/- mice and an atypical population of SiglecF+ neutrophils were identified in the BALF. Lastly, time-course studies found that RAGE expression promoted sustained neutrophil accumulation in the BALF of mice in response to AA.
Decreased monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio was associated with satisfied outcomes of first-line PD-1 inhibitors plus chemotherapy in stage IIIB-IV non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Zheng Liang , Xiong Anning , Wang Shuyuan , Xu Jianlin , Shen Yinchen , Zhong Runbo , Lu Jun , Chu Tianqing , Zhang Wei , Li Ying , Zheng Xiaoxuan , Han Baohui , Zhong Hua , Nie Wei , Zhang Xueyan 
Published: January 2023

ObjectivesImmune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) combined with chemotherapy are more widely used than monotherapy and have shown better survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without oncogenic driver alterations. The monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) might predict the treatment outcomes of ICI therapy in advanced NSCLC patients but has not yet been investigated. In addition, the cutoff of MLR is controversial. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the associations between changes in MLR at the initial stage of treatment and clinical outcomes in stage IIIB-IV NSCLC patients receiving first-line PD-1 inhibitor combined with chemotherapy.MethodsThe present study included 139 stage IIIB-IV NSCLC patients treated with first-line PD-1 inhibitor combined with chemotherapy. The blood results were assessed 10 days before initiation of PD-1 inhibitor-based combination therapy (time point 1, baseline) and before the third cycle of combined therapy (time point 2). Compared to altered MLR, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in baseline and in time point 2, patients were divided into decreased MLR/NLR/PLR and increased MLR/NLR/PLR groups. The objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and the association with the changes in blood indicators were analyzed.ResultsA total of 48 patients were categorized in the decreased MLR group and 91 in the increased MLR group. Patients with decreased MLR had a significantly higher ORR in the univariate (P&lt;0.001) and multivariate (P&lt;0.001) Cox proportional hazards models. On the other hand, decreased MLR was significantly associated with prolonged PFS in the univariate (P=0.007) and multivariate (P=0.016) analyses. Next, 91 patients comprised the decreased NLR group and 48 as the increased NLR group. Patients with decreased NLR exhibited high ORR (P=0.001) and prolonged PFS in univariate analysis (P=0.033). Then, 64 patients comprised the decreased PLR group and 75 the increased PLR group. Decreased PLR was significantly associated with high ORR in univariate (P&lt;0.001) and multivariate (P=0.017) analyses. The subgroup analyses showed that decreased MLR was significantly associated with satisfactory outcomes in patients with all PD-L1 expressions.ConclusionDecreased MLR was associated with high ORR and long PFS and might have a potential predictive value in patients with stage IIIB-IV NSCLC treated with first-line PD-1 inhibitor combined with chemotherapy. In addition, changes in MLR might have predictive value in all PD-L1-expressing populations. Decreased NLR and PLR also showed improved survival, suggesting that changes in NLR and PLR may be complementary to predicting prognosis.
Identification of potential biomarkers and immune infiltration characteristics in recurrent implantation failure using bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Lai Zhen-Zhen , Zhang Jie , Zhou Wen-Jie , Shi Jia-Wei , Yang Hui-Li , Yang Shao-Liang , Wu Jiang-Nan , Xie Feng , Zhang Tao , Li Ming-Qing 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionRecurrent implantation failure (RIF) is a frustrating challenge because the cause is unknown. The current study aims to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the endometrium on the basis of immune cell infiltration characteristics between RIF patients and healthy controls, as well as to investigate potential prognostic markers in RIF.MethodsGSE103465, and GSE111974 datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus database were obtained to screen DEGs between RIF and control groups. Gene Ontology analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Pathway analysis, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, and Protein-protein interactions analysis were performed to investigate potential biological functions and signaling pathways. CIBERSORT was used to describe the level of immune infiltration in RIF, and flow cytometry was used to confirm the top two most abundant immune cells detected.Results122 downregulated and 66 upregulated DEGs were obtained between RIF and control groups. Six immune-related hub genes were discovered, which were involved in Wnt/-catenin signaling and Notch signaling as a result of our research. The ROC curves revealed that three of the six identified genes (AKT1, PSMB8, and PSMD10) had potential diagnostic values for RIF. Finally, we used cMap analysis to identify potential therapeutic or induced compounds for RIF, among which fulvestrant (estrogen receptor antagonist), bisindolylmaleimide-ix (CDK and PKC inhibitor), and JNK-9L (JNK inhibitor) were thought to influence the pathogenic process of RIF. Furthermore, our findings revealed the level of immune infiltration in RIF by highlighting three signaling pathways (Wnt/-catenin signaling, Notch signaling, and immune response) and three potential diagnostic DEGs (AKT1, PSMB8, and PSMD10).ConclusionImportantly, our findings may contribute to the scientific basis for several potential therapeutic agents to improve endometrial receptivity.
Bitter-RF: A random forest machine model for recognizing bitter peptides
Authors: Zhang Yu-Fei , Wang Yu-Hao , Gu Zhi-Feng , Pan Xian-Run , Li Jian , Ding Hui , Zhang Yang , Deng Ke-Jun 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionBitter peptides are short peptides with potential medical applications. The huge potential behind its bitter taste remains to be tapped. To better explore the value of bitter peptides in practice, we need a more effective classification method for identifying bitter peptides.MethodsIn this study, we developed a Random forest (RF)-based model, called Bitter-RF, using sequence information of the bitter peptide. Bitter-RF covers more comprehensive and extensive information by integrating 10 features extracted from the bitter peptides and achieves better results than the latest generation model on independent validation set.ResultsThe proposed model can improve the accurate classification of bitter peptides (AUROC = 0.98 on independent set test) and enrich the practical application of RF method in protein classification tasks which has not been used to build a prediction model for bitter peptides.DiscussionWe hope the Bitter-RF could provide more conveniences to scholars for bitter peptide research.
Distinct response patterns of plants and soil microorganisms to agronomic practices and seasonal variation in a floodplain ecosystem
Authors: Yu Yanyan , Liu Hao , Zhang Lanlan , Sun Zhongjie , Lei Binghai , Miao Yuan , Chu Haiyan , Han Shijie , Shi Yu , Zheng Junqiang 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionClimate change and anthropogenic activities are the greatest threats to floodplain ecosystems. A growing body of literature shows that floodplain ecosystems have experienced increased chemical fertilizer and pesticide loads, which will disturb the above and belowground ecosystems. However, we lack knowledge regarding the effects of such human activities on the vegetation and soil microbiomes in these ecosystems.MethodsIn the present study, plant functional traits and Illumina Mi-Seq sequencing were to assess the impact of nitrogen fertilizer and glyphosate addition on the structure and function of the vegetation and soil microbiomes (bacteria, fungi, and protists) in a floodplain ecosystem, and to assess the influence of seasonal variation.ResultsWe identified distinct response mechanisms of plant and microbial communities to the addition of nitrogen fertilizer and glyphosate, and seasonal variation. Nitrogen fertilizer and glyphosate significantly affected plant diversity, aboveground and underground biomass, and C and N content and significantly changed the leaf area and plant stature of dominant plants. However, the addition of nitrogen fertilizer and glyphosate did not significantly affect the diversity and structure of bacterial, fungal, and protist communities. The application of nitrogen fertilizer could improve the negative effects of glyphosate on the functional traits of plant communities. The seasonal variation of floodplain has significantly changed the soil’s physical, chemical, and biological properties. Our results showed that compared with that in summer, the soil ecosystem multifunctionality of the floodplain ecosystem in autumn was significantly lower. Seasonal variation had a significant effect on plant diversity and functional traits. Moreover, seasonal variation significantly affected the community compositions, diversity, and structure of bacteria, fungi, and protists. Seasonal variation had a stronger impact on fungal community assembly than on that of bacteria and protists. In summer, the assembly of the fungal community was dominated by a deterministic process, while in autumn, it is dominated by a stochastic process. In addition, the negative association among bacteria, fungi, and protists has been strengthened in autumn and formed a more robust network to cope with external changes.DiscussionThese results extended our understanding of the ecological patterns of soil microbiomes in floodplain ecosystems and provided support for enhancing the ecological barrier function and the service potential of floodplain ecosystems.
Study of high-altitude cerebral edema using multimodal imaging
Authors: Long Changyou , Bao Haihua 
Published: January 2023

ObjectiveTo analyze the brain imaging features of high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) using computed tomography (CT) and multi-sequence magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to explore its injury characteristics.Materials and methodsWe selected 30 patients with HACE diagnosed between January 2012 to August 2022 as the experimental group and 60 patients with dizziness on traveling from the plain to the plateau or from lower altitude to higher altitude in a short period of time as the control group. We collected general clinical data from the experimental group and classified it according to clinical symptoms. In both groups, we then performed a head CT and multi-sequence MRI (T1WI, T2WI, FLAIR, and DWI). Among them, nine patients with HACE were also scanned using susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI). Finally, we analyzed the images.ResultsAccording to clinical symptoms, we divided the 30 cases of HACE into 12 mild cases and 18 severe cases. There was no significant difference in sex, age, leukocyte, neutrophil, or glucose content between mild and severe HACE. The sensitivity and specificity of the MRI diagnosis were 100 and 100%, respectively, while the sensitivity and specificity of the CT diagnosis were 23.3 and 100%, respectively. The distribution range of deep and juxtacortical white matter edema was significantly larger in severe HACE than in mild HACE (p &lt; 0.001). The corpus callosum edema distribution range in severe HACE was significantly larger than that in mild HACE (p = 0.001). The ADC value of the splenium of the corpus callosum was significantly lower in severe HACE than in mild HACE (p = 0.049). In mild and severe HACE, the signal intensity of the DWI sequence was significantly higher than that of conventional MRI sequences (T1WI, T2WI, FLAIR) (p = 0.008, p = 0.025, respectively). In severe HACE, seven cases showed bilateral corticospinal tract edema at the thalamic level, and SWI showed cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in five cases, especially in the corpus callosum.ConclusionsMRI has more advantages than CT in the evaluation of HACE, especially in the DWI sequence. The white matter injury of severe HACE is more severe and extensive, especially in the corpus callosum, and some CMBs and corticospinal tract edema may also appear.