bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Individual and combined associations of body mass index and waist circumference with components of metabolic syndrome among multiethnic middle-aged and older adults: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Yang Mei , Zhang Yan , Zhao Wanyu , Ge Meiling , Sun Xuelian , Zhang Gongchang , Dong Birong 
Published: February 2023

ObjectivesBody mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) are closely associated with metabolic syndrome and its components. Hence, a combination of these two obesity markers may be more predictive. In this study, we aimed to investigate the individual and combined associations of BMI and WC with selected components of metabolic syndrome and explored whether age, sex and ethnicity affected the aforementioned associations.MethodsA total of 6,298 middle-aged and older adults were included. Based on BMI and WC, the participants were divided into 4 groups: comorbid obesity (BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2 and WC&lt; 85/90 cm for women/men), abdominal obesity alone (BMI&lt; 28 kg/m2 and WC≥ 85/90 cm for women/men), general obesity alone (BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2 and WC&lt; 85/90 cm for women/men) and nonobesity subgroups (BMI&lt; 28 kg/m2 and WC&lt; 85/90 cm for women/men). Selected components of metabolic syndrome were evaluated using the criteria recommended by the Chinese Diabetes Society. Poisson regression models with robust variance were used to evaluate the associations of obesity groups with selected components of metabolic syndrome. An interaction test was conducted to explore whether age, sex and ethnicity affect the aforementioned associations.ResultsCompared with participants in the reference group (comorbid obesity), participants in the other 3 groups showed a decreased prevalence of fasting hyperglycemia (PR=0.83, 95% CI=0.73–0.94 for abdominal obesity alone, PR=0.60, 95% CI=0.38–0.96 for general obesity alone and PR=0.46, 95% CI=0.40–0.53 for nonobesity), hypertension (PR=0.86, 95% CI=0.82–0.90 for abdominal obesity alone, PR=0.80, 95% CI=0.65–0.97 for general obesity alone and PR=0.69, 95% CI = 0.66–0.73 for nonobesity) and hypertriglyceridemia (PR=0.88, 95% CI=0.82–0.95 for abdominal obesity alone, PR=0.62, 95% CI=0.47–0.81 for general obesity alone and PR=0.53, 95% CI=0.49–0.57 for nonobesity). However, participants in the abdominal obesity alone and nonobesity groups showed a decreased prevalence of low HDL-C levels while participants in the general obesity alone group did not (PR=0.65, 95% CI=0.41–1.03, p&gt;0.05). In addition, the aforementioned associations were not affected by age, sex or ethnicity (all p for interactions&gt;0.05).ConclusionsComorbid obesity is superior to general and abdominal obesity in identifying individuals at high risk of developing metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and older adults. Great importance should be attached to the combined effect of BMI and WC on the prevention and management of metabolic syndrome.
The nonlinear relationship between thyroid function parameters and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease
Authors: Hu Yingying , Zhou Fan , Lei Fang , Lin Lijin , Huang Xuewei , Sun Tao , Liu Weifang , Zhang Xingyuan , Cai Jingjing , She Zhi-Gang , Li Hongliang 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundThe relationship between thyroid function parameters and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) remains controversial. Additionally, little is known about the relationship between thyroid function parameters and MAFLD in the Chinese population.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study involving 177,540 individuals with thyroid function tests and MAFLD diagnosis from 2010-2018. The association between thyroid function parameters and MAFLD was evaluated on a continuous scale with restricted cubic spline (RCS) models and by the prior-defined centile categories with multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models. Thyroid function parameters included free triiodothyronine (FT3), free tetra-iodothyronine (FT4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Additionally, fully adjusted RCS models stratified by sex, age, and location were studied.ResultsIn the RCS models, the risk of MAFLD increased with higher levels of FT3 when FT3 &lt;5.58pmol/L, while the risk of MAFLD decreased with higher levels of FT3 when FT3 ≥5.58pmol/L (P nonlinearity &lt;0.05). While RCS analysis suggested that the FT4 levels had a negative association with MAFLD (P nonlinearity &lt;0.05), indicating an increase in FT4 levels was associated with a decreased risk of MAFLD. RCS analysis suggested an overall positive association between the concentration of TSH and MAFLD risk (P nonlinearity &lt;0.05). The rising slope was sharper when the TSH concentration was less than 1.79uIU/mL, which indicated the association between TSH and MAFLD risk was tightly interrelated within this range. The multivariable logistic regression showed that populations in the 81st-95th centile had the highest risk of MAFLD among all centiles of FT3/TSH, with the 1st-5th centile as the reference category.ConclusionsOur study suggested nonlinear relationships between thyroid function parameters and MAFLD. Thyroid function parameters could be additional modifiable risk factors apart from the proven risk factors to steer new avenues regarding MAFLD prevention and treatment.
How to realize digital transformation in satellite communication industry? -- Configuration analysis based on the technology-organization-environment framework
Authors: Wang Liting , Zhang Huajian , Jin Liang , Wang Quan , Shi Lifeng , Duan Kun , Liu Peng , Han Jie , Dong Hao 
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Digital transformation is the key link of the prosperity and development of digital economy, and the successful digital transformation is the result of the synergy of multi-level factors.Methods: Based on the theoretical framework of technology-organization-environment, this paper takes 27 satellite communication enterprises as samples and uses fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis method to explore the configuration effect of six antecedent conditions at the level of technology, organization and environment on digital transformation of satellite communication enterprises.Results: The results show that a single antecedent condition does not constitute a necessary condition for digital transformation. There are four configuration paths for digital transformation of satellite communication industry, which are technology-organization-oriented, technology-organization-environment collaboration-oriented, technology-organization-oriented environment collaboration, and organization-environment-oriented. Under certain conditions, there is substitution effect between antecedents.Discussion: The complex causes of the digital transformation of Chinese satellite communication enterprises, and can provide beneficial enlightenment for the digital transformation of satellite communication enterprises.
Head and neck dermatitis is exacerbated by Malassezia furfur colonization, skin barrier disruption, and immune dysregulation
Authors: Chu Howard , Kim Su Min , Zhang KeLun , Wu Zhexue , Lee Hemin , Kim Ji Hye , Kim Hye Li , Kim Yu Ri , Kim Seo Hyeong , Kim Wan Jin , Lee Yang Won , Lee Kwang Hoon , Liu Kwang-Hyeon , Park Chang Ook 
Published: February 2023

Introduction &amp; objectivesHead and neck dermatitis (HND) is a refractory phenotype of atopic dermatitis (AD) and can be a therapeutic challenge due to lack of responsiveness to conventional treatments. Previous studies have suggested that the microbiome and fungiome may play a role in inducing HND, but the underlying pathogenic mechanisms remain unknown. This study aimed to determine the link between HND and fungiome and to examine the contribution of Malassezia furfur.Materials and methodsTo identify the effect of the sensitization status of M. furfur on HND, 312 patients diagnosed with AD were enrolled. To elucidate the mechanism underlying the effects of M. furfur, human keratinocytes and dermal endothelial cells were cultured with M. furfur and treated with Th2 cytokines. The downstream effects of various cytokines, including inflammation and angiogenesis, were investigated by real-time quantitative PCR. To identify the association between changes in lipid composition and M. furfur sensitization status, D-squame tape stripping was performed. Lipid composition was evaluated by focusing on ceramide species using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry.ResultsIncreased sensitization to M. furfur was observed in patients with HND. Additionally, sensitization to M. furfur was associated with increased disease severity in these patients. IL-4 treated human keratinocytes cultured with M. furfur produced significantly more VEGF, VEGFR, IL-31, and IL-33. IL-4/M. furfur co-cultured dermal endothelial cells exhibited significantly elevated VEGFR, TGF-β, TNF-α, and IL-1β levels. Stratum corneum lipid analysis revealed decreased levels of esterified omega-hydroxyacyl-sphingosine, indicating skin barrier dysfunction in HND. Finally, M. furfur growth was inhibited by the addition of these ceramides to culture media, while the growth of other microbiota, including Cutibacterium acnes, were not inhibited.ConclusionsUnder decreased levels of ceramide in AD patients with HND, M. furfur would proliferate, which may enhance pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, angiogenesis, and tissue remodeling. Thus, it plays a central role in the pathogenesis of HND in AD.
Extracellular vesicles as potential biomarkers and treatment options for liver failure: A systematic review up to March 2022
Authors: Lu Wang , Tang Huixin , Li Shanshan , Bai Li , Chen Yu 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionExtracellular vesicles (EVs) carrying functional cargoes are emerging as biomarkers and treatment strategies in multiple liver diseases. Nevertheless, the potential of EVs in liver failure remains indistinct. In this systematic review, we comprehensively analyzed the potential of EVs as biomarkers of liver failure and the therapeutic effects and possible mechanisms of EVs for liver failure.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review by comprehensively searching the following electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to March 2022. The used text words (synonyms and word variations) and database-specific subject headings included “Extracellular Vesicles”, “Exosomes”, “Liver Failure”, “Liver Injury”, etc.ResultsA total of 1479 studies were identified. After removing 680 duplicate studies and 742 irrelevant studies, 57 studies were finally retained and analyzed. Fourteen studies revealed EVs with functional cargoes could be used to make the diagnosis of liver failure and provide clues for early warning and prognostic assessment of patients with liver failure. Forty-three studies confirmed the administration of EVs from different sources alleviated hepatic damage and improved survival through inhibiting inflammatory response, oxidative stress as well as apoptosis or promoting hepatocyte regeneration and autophagy.ConclusionsEVs and their cargoes can be used not only as superior biomarkers of early warning, early diagnosis and prognostic assessments for liver failure, but also as potentially effective treatment options for liver failure. In the future, large-scale studies are urgently needed to verify the diagnostic, predictive and therapeutic value of EVs for liver failure.
Dietary factors and risk for asthma: A Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Yang Wenwen , Yang Yanjiang , He Li , Zhang Min , Sun Shuo , Wang Feng , Han Biao 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundPrevious research has found a link between dietary factors and asthma. However, few studies have analyzed the relationship between dietary factors and asthma using Mendelian randomization. Methods: The IEU Open GWAS project (https://gwas.mrcieu.ac.uk/) was the source of exposure and outcome datasets. The exposure datasets included Alcoholic drinks per week, Alcohol intake frequency, Processed meat intake, Poultry intake, Beef intake, Non-oily fish intake, Oily fish intake, Pork intake, Lamb/mutton intake, Bread intake, Cheese intake, Cooked vegetable intake, Tea intake, Fresh fruit intake, Cereal intake, Salad/raw vegetable intake, Coffee intake, and Dried fruit intake. The weighted median, MR-Egger, and Inverse Variance Weighted methods were used as the main methods of Mendelian randomization analysis. Heterogeneity and pleiotropic analysis were performed to ensure the accuracy of the results.ResultsAlcohol intake frequency (after removing outliers OR: 1.217; 95% CI: 1.048-1.413; p=0.00993) was related to an increased risk of Asthma. Fresh fruit intake (OR: 0.489; 95% CI: 0.320-0.748; p=0.000954) and Dried fruit intake (after removing outliers OR: 0.482; 95% CI: 0.325-0.717; p= 0.000312) were discovered as protective factors. Other dietary intakes found no causal relationship with asthma.ConclusionThis study found that dried fruit intake and fresh fruit intake were associated with a reduced risk of asthma, and alcohol intake frequency was associated with an increased risk of asthma. This study also found that other factors included in this study were not associated with asthma.
Genomic selection in algae with biphasic lifecycles: A Saccharina latissima (sugar kelp) case study
Authors: Huang Mao , Robbins Kelly R. , Li Yaoguang , Umanzor Schery , Marty-Rivera Michael , Bailey David , Aydlett Margaret , Schmutz Jeremy , Grimwood Jane , Yarish Charles , Lindell Scott , Jannink Jean-Luc 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionSugar kelp (Saccharina latissima) has a biphasic life cycle, allowing selection on both thediploid sporophytes (SPs) and haploid gametophytes (GPs).MethodsWe trained a genomic selection (GS) model from farm-tested SP phenotypic data and used a mixed-ploidy additive relationship matrix to predict GP breeding values. Topranked GPs were used to make crosses for further farm evaluation. The relationship matrix included 866 individuals: a) founder SPs sampled from the wild; b) progeny GPs from founders; c) Farm-tested SPs crossed from b); and d) progeny GPs from farm-tested SPs. The complete pedigree-based relationship matrix was estimated for all individuals. A subset of founder SPs (n = 58) and GPs (n = 276) were genotyped with Diversity Array Technology and whole genome sequencing, respectively. We evaluated GS prediction accuracy via cross validation for SPs tested on farm in 2019 and 2020 using a basic GBLUP model. We also estimated the general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) variances of parental GPs. A total of 11 yield-related and morphology traits were evaluated.ResultsThe cross validation accuracies for dry weight per meter (r ranged from 0.16 to 0.35) and wet weight per meter (r ranged 0.19 to 0.35) were comparable to GS accuracy for yield traits in terrestrial crops. For morphology traits, cross validation accuracy exceeded 0.18 in all scenarios except for blade thickness in the second year. Accuracy in a third validation year (2021) was 0.31 for dry weight per meter over a confirmation set of 87 individuals.DiscussionOur findings indicate that progress can be made in sugar kelp breeding by using genomic selection.
The geographical and seasonal effects on the composition of marine microplastic and its microbial communities: The case study of Israel and Portugal
Authors: Marsay Katherine S. , Ambrosino Ana C. , Koucherov Yuri , Davidov Keren , Figueiredo Neusa , Yakovenko Iryna , Itzahri Sheli , Martins Marta , Sobral Paula , Oren Matan 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionFloating microplastic debris are found in most marine environments around the world. Due to their low density and high durability, plastic polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene serve as stable floating substrates for the colonization of diverse communities of marine organisms. Despite the high abundance of microplastic debris in the oceans, it is not clear how the geographical location and season affect the composition of marine microplastic and its bacterial microbiome in the natural environment.MethodsTo address this question, microplastic debris were collected from the sea surface near estuaries in the Mediterranean Sea (Israel) and in the Atlantic Ocean (Portugal) during summer and winter of 2021. The microplastic physical characteristics, including shape, color, and polymer composition, were analyzed and the taxonomic structure of the microplastic bacterial microbiome was characterized using a high-resolution metabarcoding pipeline.ResultsOur results, supported by previously published data, suggest that the plastisphere is a highly diverse ecosystem which is strongly shaped by spatial and temporal environmental factors. The geographical location had the highest impact on the plastisphere physical characteristics and its microbiome composition, followed by the season. Our metabarcoding analysis showed great variability between the different marine environments with a very limited microbiome “core.”DiscussionThis notion further emphasizes the importance of plastisphere studies in different geographical locations and/or seasons for the characterization of the plastisphere and the identification of plastic-associated species.
Changes in the gut microbiome of patients with type a aortic dissection
Authors: Jiang Fei , Cai Meiling , Peng Yanchun , Li Sailan , Liang Bing , Ni Hong , Lin Yanjuan 
Published: February 2023

ObjectiveTo investigate the characteristic changes in the gut microbiota of patients with type A aortic dissection (AAD) and provide a theoretical basis for future microbiome-oriented interventional studies.MethodsHigh-throughput 16S rDNA sequencing was performed on the stool samples of patients with and without (healthy control subjects) AAD. Using alpha and beta diversity analysis, we compared the gut microbiota composition of 20 patients with AAD and 20 healthy controls matched for gender, age, BMI, and geographical region. The accuracy of AAD prediction by differential microbiome was calculated using the random forest machine learning model. Targeted measurement of the plasma concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are the main metabolites of the gut microbiome, was performed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Spearman’s correlation analysis was conducted to determine the relationships of gut microbiome and SCFAs with the clinical characteristics of subjects.ResultsThe differences in gut microbiota alpha diversity between patients with AAD and the healthy controls were not statistically significant (Shannon index: p = 0.19; Chao1: p = 0.4); however, the microbiota composition (beta diversity) was significantly different between the two groups (Anosim, p = 0.001). Bacteroidota was enriched at the phylum level, and the SCFA-producing genera Prevotella, Porphyromonas, Lachnospiraceae, and Ruminococcus and inflammation-related genera Fenollaria and Sutterella were enriched at the genus level in the AAD group compared with those in the control group. The random forest model could predict AAD from gut microbiota composition with an accuracy of 87.5% and the area-under-curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.833. The SCFA content of patients with AAD was higher than that of the control group, with the difference being statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05). The different microflora and SCFAs were positively correlated with inflammatory cytokines.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the presence of significant differences in the gut microbiome of patients with AAD and healthy controls. The differential microbiome exhibited high predictive potential toward AAD and was positively correlated with inflammatory cytokines. Our results will assist in the development of preventive and therapeutic treatment methods for patients with AAD.
Associations between polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations and Parkinson’s disease: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhu Xue , Huang Sijia , Kang Wenyan , Chen Peizhan , Liu Jun 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionObservational studies demonstrated controversial effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on Parkinson’s disease (PD) with limited causality evidence. Randomized control trials showed possible improvement in PD symptoms with PUFA supplement but had small study population and limited intervention time.MethodsA two-sample Mendelian randomization was designed to evaluate the causal relevance between PUFAs and PD, using genetic variants of PUFAs as instrumental variables and PD data from the largest genome-wide association study as outcome. Inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was applied to obtain the primary outcome. Mendelian randomization Egger regression, weighted median and weighted mode methods were exploited to assist result analyses. Strict Mendelian randomization and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR) were used to estimate direct effects of PUFAs on PD, eliminating pleiotropic effect. Debiased inverse variance weighted estimator was implemented when weak instrument bias was introduced into the analysis. A variety of sensitivity analyses were utilized to assess validity of the results.ResultsOur study included 33,674 PD cases and 449,056 controls. Higher plasma level of arachidonic acid (AA) was associated with a 3% increase of PD risk per 1-standard deviation (SD) increase of AA (IVW; Odds ratio (OR)=1.03 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.04], P = 2.24E-04). After MVMR (IVW; OR=1.03 [95% CI 1.02-1.04], P =6.15E-08) and deletion of pleiotropic single-nucleotide polymorphisms overlapping with other lipids (IVW; OR=1.03 [95% CI 1.01-1.05], P =5.88E-04), result was still significant. Increased level of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) showed possible relevance with increased PD risk after adjustment of pleiotropy (MVMR; OR=1.05 [95% CI 1.01-1.08], P =5.40E-03). Linoleic acid (LA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) were found not causally relevant to PD risk. Various sensitivity analyses verified the validity of our results. In conclusion, our findings from Mendelian randomization suggested that elevated levels of AA and possibly EPA might be linked to a higher risk of PD. No association between PD risk and LA, DHA, DPA, or ALA was found.DiscussionThe odds ratio for plasma AA and PD risk was weak. It is important to approach our results with caution in clinical practice and to conduct additional studies on the relationship between PUFAs and PD risk.