bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determinants of Dyslipidemia in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Obsa Mohammed S. , Ataro Getu , Awoke Nefsu , Jemal Bedru , Tilahun Tamiru , Ayalew Nugusu , Woldegeorgis Beshada Z. , Azeze Gedion A. , Haji Yusuf 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundDyslipidemia is a common public health problem in Africa. It has emerged as an important cardiovascular risk factor. It has been steadily increasing due to economic growth, urbanization, and unhealthy dietary pattern. Therefore, it is essential to identify determinants of dyslipidemia to prevent the condition and reduce its long-term sequel.MethodsCombinations of search terms with Boolean operators were used to retrieve studies from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Database, Cinahl, Scopus, Mednar, and Google Scholar. The methodological quality of each article was evaluated based on the 2017 Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal checklist for prevalence studies. After evaluation of each study against these criteria, studies with a minimum score of 7 or above out of 9 JBI checklists were included. We included articles presented in the English language. The Cochrane Q test was used to assess the heterogeneity across studies. The visual assessment of publication bias was done by creating a funnel plot. The possible causes of heterogeneity were explored by subgroup analyses. Egger's weighted regression test was used to assess the presence of publication bias. Statistical analyses were done by using the STATA software version 14.ResultA total of 24 articles involving 37,902 participants from 10 African countries were included. The overall pooled prevalence of dyslipidemia was 52.8 (95% CI 40.8–64.9). Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) &gt;25.0 kg/m2 and waist circumference (WC) &gt;94 cm were, respectively, 2.36 (95% CI (1.33–4.18), p &lt; 0.001) and 2.33 (95% CI (0.75–0.29) p &lt; 0.001) times more likely to develop dyslipidemia than those with lower values. Furthermore, patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN) were 2.32 (95% CI (0.89–6.05) p &lt; 0.001) and 2.05 (95% CI (1.31–3.21), p &lt; 0.001) times more likely to present with dyslipidemia than non-diabetic patients and those without HTN.ConclusionThis study revealed that the prevalence of dyslipidemia is relatively high among study participants in African countries and the independent predictors of dyslipidemia were BMI &gt;25.0 kg/m2, WC &gt; 94 cm, raised blood glucose level, and raised blood pressure. Therefore, there should be a pressing public health measure to prevent, identify, and treat dyslipidemia with the special emphasis on obese, diabetic, and hypertensive patients.
Diabetes Is Associated With Rapid Progression of Aortic Stenosis: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Han Kangning , Shi Dongmei , Yang Lixia , Xie Meng , Zhong Rongrong , Wang Zhijian , Gao Fei , Ma Xiaoteng , Zhou Yujie 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundMounting evidence indicates that rapid progression of aortic stenosis (AS) is significantly associated with poor prognosis. Whether diabetes accelerates the progression of AS remains controversial.ObjectivesThe purpose of the present study was to investigate whether diabetes was associated with rapid progression of AS.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 276 AS patients who underwent transthoracic echocardiography at least twice with a maximum interval ≥ 180 days from January 2016 to June 2021. AS severity was defined by specific threshold values for peak aortic jet velocity (Vmax) and/or mean pressure gradient. An increase of Vmax ≥ 0.3 m/s/year was defined as rapid progression. The binary Logistic regression models were used to determine the association between diabetes and rapid progression of AS.ResultsAt a median echocardiographic follow-up interval of 614 days, the annual increase of Vmax was 0.16 (0.00–0.41) m/s. Compared with those without rapid progression, patients with rapid progression were older and more likely to have diabetes (P = 0.040 and P = 0.010, respectively). In the univariate binary Logistic regression analysis, diabetes was associated with rapid progression of AS (OR = 2.02, P = 0.011). This association remained significant in the multivariate analysis based on model 2 and model 3 (OR = 1.93, P = 0.018; OR = 1.93, P = 0.022). After propensity score-matching according to Vmax, diabetes was also associated rapid progression of AS (OR = 2.57, P = 0.045).ConclusionsDiabetes was strongly and independently associated with rapid progression of AS.
Ventriculo-Arterial Coupling Is Associated With Oxygen Consumption and Tissue Perfusion in Acute Circulatory Failure
Authors: Andrei Stefan , Nguyen Maxime , Longrois Dan , Popescu Bogdan A. , Bouhemad Belaid , Guinot Pierre-Grégoire 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionThe determination of ventriculo-arterial coupling is gaining an increasing role in cardiovascular and sport medicine. However, its relevance in critically ill patients is still under investigation. In this study we measured the association between ventriculo-arterial coupling and oxygen consumption (VO2) response after hemodynamic interventions in cardiac surgery patients with acute circulatory instability.Material and MethodsSixty-one cardio-thoracic ICU patients (67 ± 12 years, 80% men) who received hemodynamic therapeutic interventions (fluid challenge or norepinephrine infusion) were included. Arterial pressure, cardiac output, heart rate, arterial (EA), and ventricular elastances (EV), total indexed peripheral resistances were assessed before and after hemodynamic interventions. VO2 responsiveness was defined as VO2 increase &gt;15% following the hemodynamic intervention. Ventriculo-arterial coupling was assessed measuring the EA/EV ratio by echocardiography. The left ventricle stroke work to pressure volume area ratio (SW/PVA) was also calculated.ResultsIn the overall cohort, 24 patients (39%) were VO2 responders, and 48 patients had high ventriculo-arterial (EA/EV) coupling ratio with a median value of 1.9 (1.6–2.4). Most of those patients were classified as VO2 responders (28 of 31 patients, p = 0.031). Changes in VO2 were correlated with those of indexed total peripheral resistances, EA, EA/EV and cardiac output. EA/EV ratio predicted VO2 increase with an AUC of 0.76 [95% CI: 0.62–0.87]; p = 0.001. In principal component analyses, EA/EV and SW/PVA ratios were independently associated (p &lt; 0.05) with VO2 response following interventions.ConclusionsVO2 responders were characterized by baseline high ventriculo-arterial coupling ratio due to high EA and low EV. Baseline EA/EV and SW/PVA ratios were associated with VO2 changes independently of the hemodynamic intervention used. These results underline the pathophysiological significance of measuring ventriculo-arterial coupling in patients with hemodynamic instability, as a potential therapeutic target.
Swarm-TEC Satellite Measurements as a Potential Earthquake Precursor Together With Other Swarm and CSES Data: The Case of Mw7.6 2019 Papua New Guinea Seismic Event
Authors: Akhoondzadeh Mehdi , De Santis Angelo , Marchetti Dedalo , Shen Xuhui 
Published: February 2022

On May 14, 2019, a strong Mw = 7.6 shallow earthquake occurred in Papua New Guinea. This paper explores for the first time the analysis of total electron content (TEC) products measured for 6 months by GPS antenna onboard Swarm satellites, to detect possible seismo-ionospheric anomalies around the time and location of the above-mentioned earthquake. The night-time vertical total electron content (VTEC) time series measured using Swarm satellites Alpha and Charlie, inside the earthquake Dobrovolsky’s area show striking anomalies 31 and 35 days before the event. We successfully verified the possible presence of concomitant anomalous values of in situ electron density detected by the new Chinese satellite dedicated to search for electromagnetic earthquake precursors [China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite (CSES)-01]. On the other hand, the analysis of VTEC night time measured by Swarm Bravo shows gradual and abnormal increase of the VTEC parameter from about 23 days before the earthquake, which descends 3 days before the earthquake and reaches its lowest level around the earthquake day. We also analyzed the time series and tracks of other six in situ parameters measured by Swarm satellites, electron density from CSES, and also GPS-TEC measurements. As it is expected from the theory, the electron density anomalous variations acknowledge the Swarm VTEC anomalies, confirming that those anomalies are real and not an artifact of the analysis. The comparative analysis with measurements of other Swarm and CSES sensors emphasizes striking anomalies about 2.5 weeks before the event, with a clear pattern of the whole anomalies typical of a critical system as the earthquake process is for Earth. A confutation analysis outside the Dobrovolsky area and without significant seismicity shows no anomalies. Therefore based on our study, the VTEC products of Swarm satellites could be an appropriate precursor aside from the other measured plasma and magnetic parameters using Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie Swarm and CSES satellites that can be simultaneously analyzed to reduce the overall uncertainty.
Trends and Transitions in Silicate Weathering in the Asian Interior (NE Tibet) Since 53 Ma
Authors: Yang Yibo , Han Wenxia , Ye Chengcheng , Galy Albert , Fang Xiaomin 
Published: February 2022

The relationship between silicate weathering, Tibetan Plateau uplift, and global cooling during the Cenozoic provides a valuable case study for understanding the interaction of tectonics and climate. The Tibetan Plateau uplift is considered to have caused Cenozoic cooling via the atmospheric CO2 drawdown by increased silicate weathering. However, this hypothesis has been intensively debated over the past few decades due to the lack of complete silicate weathering records from the continental interior, which can directly track the effects of uplift on weathering. We provide the first complete long (past 53 Myr) continental silicate weathering record from the NE Tibetan Plateau, combined with a comprehensive analysis on its evolution pattern, critical transitions, and associated driving forces. The silicate weathering intensity in NE Tibet is characterized by a long-term Paleogene decrease, modulated by global cooling, and a Neogene increase that may be related to the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) intensification. Three major system transitions in regional silicate weathering are identified at ∼26–23 Ma, ∼16 Ma and ∼8 Ma, which are linked to enhanced EASM forced primarily by tectonic uplift at these intervals, with some surbordinate influences from global climate at ∼16 Ma. We also capture an intensification of the 100-kyr cycle at ∼16 Ma and ∼8 Ma in the obtained silicate weathering record, which is in coincidence in time with the enhancement of the EASM. This might suggest some contribution of the Antarctic ice sheets on modulating the regional silicate weathering in the NE Tibetan Plateau on a timescale of 105–106 years, through its influences on the EASM as proposed by previous studies.
A New Repeated Mining Method With Preexisting Damage Zones Filled for Ultra-Thick Coal Seam Extraction – Case Study
Authors: Chen Liang , Zhang Dongsheng , Fan Gangwei , Zhang Shizhong , Wang Xufeng , Zhang Wei 
Published: February 2022

Arbitrary mining activities done by previous small-scale mines left many irregular damage zones in the ultra-thick coal seam, consequently leading to serious roof caving disasters and recovery ratio decline during repeated mining. Pre-filling the damage zones is an effective method to prevent mining-induced geological disasters. In this study, a novel method regarding damage zone filling–based repeated mining (FBRM) was proposed by combining the lower cutting layer (LCL) with the upper key bearing layer (UKBL) based on analyzing the disaster state when the workface passes through damage zones. To determine filling thickness, a method for calculating UKBL thickness was developed to preliminarily identify the filling thickness parameters of UKBL. On this basis, a numerical model incorporating damage zones and coal extractions was established to investigate the impact of UKBL thickness on fracture propagation and the maximum principal stress profiles around the damage zones. The proposed FBRM method was verified using the ground pressure data collected from Panel B909 of Pingshuo No.2 Colliery. The results show that 1) filling material with low strength and good cuttability is suitable for LCL, while material with high strength and robust bearing capacity is suitable for UKBL; 2) with increasing the UKBL filling thickness, the height of fracturing decreases, obeying a negative exponential function, suggesting a good effectiveness of the damage zone pre-filling technique; 3) as the UKBL filling thickness rises to 5 m, the maximum principal stress relocates from the area above both damage zones to the area closely in front of the workface, indicating a filling thickness threshold of 5 m that can ensure roof stability; 4) the maximum working resistance and bed separation were 11,800 kN and 26 mm, respectively, when the workface passed through damage zones B and E, favoring a good reliability of the FBRM method. The research can provide best-practice references for preventing roof caving disasters while exploiting the ultra-thick coal deposits affected by previous mining activities.
Case Report: Evolution of Humoral and Cellular Immunity in Two COVID-19 Breakthrough Infections After BNT162b2 Vaccine
Authors: Gallais Floriane , Gantner Pierre , Planas Delphine , Solis Morgane , Bruel Timothée , Pierre Florian , Soulier Eric , Rossolillo Paola , Fourati Slim , Sibilia Jean , Schwartz Olivier , Fafi-Kremer Samira 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundSARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections after complete vaccination are increasing whereas their determinants remain uncharacterized.MethodsWe analyzed two cases of post-vaccination SARS-CoV-2 infections by α and β variants, respectively. For each participant both humoral (binding and neutralizing antibodies) and cellular (activation markers and cytokine expression) immune responses were characterized longitudinally.ResultsThe first participant (P1) was infected by an α variant and displayed an extended and short period of viral excretion and symptom. Analysis of cellular and humoral response 72 h post-symptom onset revealed that P1 failed at developing neutralizing antibodies and a potent CD4 memory response (lack of SARS-CoV-2 specific CD4+IL-2+ cells) and CD8 effector response (CD8+IFNγ+ cells). The second participant (P2) developed post-vaccination SARS-CoV-2 infection by a β variant, associated with a short period of viral excretion and symptoms. Despite displaying initially high levels and polyfunctional T cell responses, P2 lacked initial β-directed neutralizing antibodies. Both participants developed and/or increased their neutralization activity and cellular responses against all variants, namely, β and δ variants that lasts up to 3 months after breakthrough infection.ConclusionsAn analysis of cellular and humoral response suggests two possible mechanisms of breakthrough infection: a poor immune response to vaccine and viral evasion to neutralizing antibodies.
Metformin Combining PD-1 Inhibitor Enhanced Anti-Tumor Efficacy in STK11 Mutant Lung Cancer Through AXIN-1-Dependent Inhibition of STING Ubiquitination
Authors: Wang Zhiguo , Lu Conghua , Zhang Kejun , Lin Caiyu , Wu Fang , Tang Xiaolin , Wu Di , Dou Yuanyao , Han Rui , Wang Yubo , Hou Chao , Ouyang Qin , Feng Mingxia , He Yong , Li Li 
Published: February 2022

Background: Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with STK11 mutation showed primary resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The glucose-lowering drug metformin exerted anti-cancer effect and enhanced efficacy of chemotherapy in NSCLC with KRAS/STK11 co-mutation, yet it is unknown whether metformin may enhance ICI efficacy in STK11 mutant NSCLC.Methods: We studied the impact of metformin on ICI efficacy in STK11 mutant NSCLC in vitro and in vivo using colony formation assay, cell viability assay, Ki67 staining, ELISA, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout, and animal experiments.Results: Through colony formation assay, Ki67 incorporation assay, and CCK-8 assay, we found that metformin significantly enhanced the killing of H460 cells and A549 cells by T cells. In NOD-SCID xenografts, metformin in combination with PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab effectively decreased tumor growth and increased infiltration of CD8+ T cells. Metformin enhanced stabilization of STING and activation of its downstream signaling pathway. siRNA-mediated knockdown of STING abolished the effect of metformin on T cell-mediated killing of tumor cells. Next, we found that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of the scaffold protein AXIN-1 abolished the effect of metformin on T cell-mediated killing and STING stabilization. Immunoprecipitation and confocal macroscopy revealed that metformin enhanced the interaction and colocalization between AXIN-1 and STING. Protein-protein interaction modeling indicated that AXIN-1 may directly bind to STING at its K150 site. Next, we found that metformin decreased K48-linked ubiquitination of STING and inhibited the interaction of E3-ligand RNF5 and STING. Moreover, in AXIN-1−/− H460 cells, metformin failed to alter the interaction of RNF5 and STING.Conclusion: Metformin combining PD-1 inhibitor enhanced anti-tumor efficacy in STK11 mutant lung cancer through inhibition of RNF5-mediated K48-linked ubiquitination of STING, which was dependent on AXIN-1.
Bioinformatics-Guided Analysis Uncovers AOX1 as an Osteogenic Differentiation-Relevant Gene of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Sun Lingtong , Ma Jianfei , Chen Juan , Pan Zhijun , Li Lijun 
Published: February 2022

Background: The available therapeutic options of bone defects, fracture nonunion, and osteoporosis remain limited, which are closely related to the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Thus, there remains an urgent demand to develop a prediction method to infer osteogenic differentiation–related genes in BMSCs.Method: We performed differential expression analysis between hBMSCs and osteogenically induced samples. Association analysis, co-expression analysis, and PPI analysis are then carried out to identify potential osteogenesis-related regulators. GO enrichment analysis and GSEA are performed to identify significantly enriched pathways associated with AOX1. qRT-PCR and Western blotting were employed to investigate the expression of genes on osteogenic differentiation, and plasmid transfection was used to overexpress the gene AOX1 in hBMSCs.Result: We identified 25 upregulated genes and 17 downregulated genes. Association analysis and PPI network analysis among these differentially expressed genes show that AOX1 is a potential regulator of osteogenic differentiation. GO enrichment analysis and GSEA show that AOX1 is significantly associated with osteoblast-related pathways. The experiments revealed that AOX1 level was higher and increased gradually in differentiated BMSCs compared with undifferentiated BMSCs, and AOX1 overexpression significantly increased the expression of osteo-specific genes, thereby clearly indicating that AOX1 plays an important role in osteogenic differentiation. Moreover, our method has ability in discriminating genes with osteogenic differentiation properties and can facilitate the process of discovery of new osteogenic differentiation–related genes.Conclusion: These findings collectively demonstrate that AOX1 is an osteogenic differentiation-relevant gene and provide a novel method established with a good performance for osteogenic differentiation-relevant genes prediction.
No Association Between Loneliness, Episodic Memory and Hippocampal Volume Change in Young and Healthy Older Adults: A Longitudinal European Multicenter Study
Authors: Solé-Padullés Cristina , Macià Dídac , Andersson Micael , Stiernstedt Mikael , Pudas Sara , Düzel Sandra , Zsoldos Enikő , Ebmeier Klaus P. , Binnewies Julia , Drevon Christian A. , Brandmaier Andreas M. , Mowinckel Athanasia M. , Fjell Anders M. , Madsen Kathrine Skak , Baaré William F. C. , Lindenberger Ulman , Nyberg Lars , Walhovd Kristine B. , Bartrés-Faz David 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundLoneliness is most prevalent during adolescence and late life and has been associated with mental health disorders as well as with cognitive decline during aging. Associations between longitudinal measures of loneliness and verbal episodic memory and brain structure should thus be investigated.MethodsWe sought to determine associations between loneliness and verbal episodic memory as well as loneliness and hippocampal volume trajectories across three longitudinal cohorts within the Lifebrain Consortium, including children, adolescents (N = 69, age range 10–15 at baseline examination) and older adults (N = 1468 over 60). We also explored putative loneliness correlates of cortical thinning across the entire cortical mantle.ResultsLoneliness was associated with worsening of verbal episodic memory in one cohort of older adults. Specifically, reporting medium to high levels of loneliness over time was related to significantly increased memory loss at follow-up examinations. The significance of the loneliness-memory change association was lost when eight participants were excluded after having developed dementia in any of the subsequent follow-up assessments. No significant structural brain correlates of loneliness were found, neither hippocampal volume change nor cortical thinning.ConclusionIn the present longitudinal European multicenter study, the association between loneliness and episodic memory was mainly driven by individuals exhibiting progressive cognitive decline, which reinforces previous findings associating loneliness with cognitive impairment and dementia.