bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oxytocin promotes epicardial cell activation and heart regeneration after cardiac injury
Authors: Wasserman Aaron H. , Huang Amanda R. , Lewis-Israeli Yonatan R. , Dooley McKenna D. , Mitchell Allison L. , Venkatesan Manigandan , Aguirre Aitor 
Published: September 2022

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, and frequently leads to massive heart injury and the loss of billions of cardiac muscle cells and associated vasculature. Critical work in the last 2 decades demonstrated that these lost cells can be partially regenerated by the epicardium, the outermost mesothelial layer of the heart, in a process that highly recapitulates its role in heart development. Upon cardiac injury, mature epicardial cells activate and undergo an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to form epicardium-derived progenitor cells (EpiPCs), multipotent progenitors that can differentiate into several important cardiac lineages, including cardiomyocytes and vascular cells. In mammals, this process alone is insufficient for significant regeneration, but it might be possible to prime it by administering specific reprogramming factors, leading to enhanced EpiPC function. Here, we show that oxytocin (OXT), a hypothalamic neuroendocrine peptide, induces epicardial cell proliferation, EMT, and transcriptional activity in a model of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived epicardial cells. In addition, we demonstrate that OXT is produced after cardiac cryoinjury in zebrafish, and that it elicits significant epicardial activation promoting heart regeneration. Oxytocin signaling is also critical for proper epicardium development in zebrafish embryos. The above processes are significantly impaired when OXT signaling is inhibited chemically or genetically through RNA interference. RNA sequencing data suggests that the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) pathway is the primary mediator of OXT-induced epicardial activation. Our research reveals for the first time an evolutionary conserved brain-controlled mechanism inducing cellular reprogramming and regeneration of the injured mammalian and zebrafish heart, a finding that could contribute to translational advances for the treatment of cardiac injuries.
One-step synthesis of highly fluorescent carbon dots as fluorescence sensors for the parallel detection of cadmium and mercury ions
Authors: Tan Qiren , Li Xiaoying , Wang Lumei , Zhao Jie , Yang Qinyan , Sun Peng , Deng Yun , Shen Guoqing 
Published: September 2022

Cadmium (Cd2+) and mercury ions (Hg2+) are essential for the quality control of food samples because of their serious toxicity to human health, but the effective and simple strategy for their parallel detection remains challenging. In this paper, a rapid and simple parallel detection method for Cd2+ and Hg2+ was developed using carbon dots (CDs) as fluorescent sensors. A one-step hydrothermal method with a single precursor l-arginine as both the carbon and nitrogen sources was employed to prepare nitrogen-doped CDs (N-CDs). N-CDs exhibited a uniform particle size and excitation-independent fluorescence emission. The maximum emission wavelength of N-CDs was observed at 354 nm with the excitation wavelength at 295 nm. The quantum yield of N-CDs reached as high as 71.6% in water. By using sodium diphosphate and phytic acid as masking agents, the fluorescent sensor can be quenched by Cd2+ and Hg2+ in the linear range of 0–26.8 μM and 0–49.9 μM within 5 min. Other common ions in farm products showed no significant effect on the fluorescence intensity of the sensing system. The results demonstrated that the sensing system had good selectivity and sensitivity for Cd2+ and Hg2+. The detection limits for Cd2+ and Hg2+ were 0.20 and 0.188 μM, respectively. In addition, the fluorescent sensor had been successfully applied for the detection of Cd2+ and Hg2+ in fruits and vegetables, and the recoveries were 86.44–109.40% and 86.62–115.32%, respectively. The proposed fluorescent sensor provides a rapid, simple, and sensitive detection method for Cd2+ and Hg2+ in food samples and thus a novel quantitative detection method for heavy metal ions in foods.
Identification of compelling inhibitors of human norovirus 3CL protease to combat gastroenteritis: A structure-based virtual screening and molecular dynamics study
Authors: He Shan , Nahhas Alaa F. , Habib Alaa Hamed , Alshehri Mohammed Ali , Alshamrani Saleh , Asiri Saeed A. , Alnamshan Mashael M. , Helmi Nawal , Al-Dhuayan Ibtesam , Almulhim Jawaher , Alharbi Ahmed M. , Su Dongxiao , Kumari Ankita , Rahaman Abdul 
Published: September 2022

Human noroviruses (NV) are the most prevalent cause of sporadic and pandemic acute gastroenteritis. NV infections cause substantial morbidity and death globally, especially amongst the aged, immunocompromised individuals, and children. There are presently no authorized NV vaccines, small-molecule therapies, or prophylactics for humans. NV 3 C L protease (3CLP) has been identified as a promising therapeutic target for anti-NV drug development. Herein, we employed a structure-based virtual screening method to screen a library of 700 antiviral compounds against the active site residues of 3CLP. We report three compounds, Sorafenib, YM201636, and LDC4297, that were revealed to have a higher binding energy (BE) value with 3CLP than the control (Dipeptidyl inhibitor 7) following a sequential screening, in-depth molecular docking and visualization, physicochemical and pharmacological property analysis, and molecular dynamics (MD) study. Sorafenib, YM201636, and LDC4297 had BEs of -11.67, -10.34, and -9.78 kcal/mol with 3CLP, respectively, while control had a BE of -6.38 kcal/mol. Furthermore, MD simulations of the two best compounds and control were used to further optimize the interactions, and a 100 ns MD simulation revealed that they form stable complexes with 3CLP. The estimated physicochemical, drug-like, and ADMET properties of these hits suggest that they might be employed as 3CLP inhibitors in the management of gastroenteritis. However, wet lab tests are a prerequisite to optimize them as NV 3CLP inhibitors.
Prevalence, treatment, and attributed mortality of elevated blood pressure among a nationwide population-based cohort of stroke survivors in China
Authors: Wang Bin , Bai Xueke , Yang Yang , Cui Jianlan , Song Lijuan , Liu Jiamin , Lu Jiapeng , Cai Jun 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundElevated blood pressure (BP) is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality in stroke survivors. China has the highest prevalence of stroke survivors and accounts for one-third of stroke-related deaths worldwide. We aimed to describe the prevalence and treatment of elevated BP across age, sex, and region, and assess the mortality attributable to elevated BP among stroke survivors in China.Materials and methodsBased on 3,820,651 participants aged 35–75 years from all 31 provinces in mainland China recruited from September 2014 to September 2020, we assessed the prevalence and treatment of elevated BP (systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg) among those with self-reported stroke and stratified by age group, sex, and geographic region. We estimated the age- and sex-specific population attributable fractions of death from elevated BP.ResultsAmong 91,406 stroke survivors, the mean (SD) age was 62 (8) years, and 49.0% were male. The median interquartile range (IQR) stroke duration was 4 (2, 7) years. The prevalence of elevated BP was 61.3% overall, and increased with age (from 47.5% aged 35–44 years to 64.6% aged 65–75 years). The increment of prevalence was larger in female patients than male patients. Elevated BP was more prevalent in northeast (66.8%) and less in south (54.3%) China. Treatment rate among patients with elevated BP was 38.1%, and rates were low across all age groups, sexes, and regions. Elevated BP accounted for 33 and 21% of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality among stroke survivors, respectively. The proportion exceeded 50% for cardiovascular mortality among patients aged 35–54 years.ConclusionIn this nationwide cohort of stroke survivors from China, elevated BP and its non-treatment were highly prevalent across all age groups, sexes, and regions. Elevated BP accounted for nearly one-third cardiovascular mortality in stroke survivors, and particularly higher in young and middle-aged patients. National strategies targeting elevated BP are warranted to address the high stroke burden in China.
Oxygen saturation before and after mechanical thrombectomy and functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Yu Shuhong , Yu Shuai , Zhang Hang , Dai Qingyong , Huang Hao , Luo Yi , Guo Zhiliang , Xiao Guodong 
Published: September 2022

Background and purposeCurrently, there is a lack of effective neuroprotective strategies to break the ceiling effect of mechanical thrombectomy (MT), and one of the most promising is normobaric oxygen treatment. However, the impact of pre- and post-MT oxygen saturation on clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) remains unclear. We aimed to determine the influence of preoperative and postoperative oxygen saturation on 3-month poor outcome in patients with AIS.MethodsA total of 239 consecutive stroke patients with successful recanalization by MT between May 2017 and March 2021 were analyzed. Oxygen saturation was measured non-invasively by pulse oximetry at baseline and continually after MT. Regression analysis was used to assess the association of preoperative and postoperative oxygen saturation with a 3-month poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale score: 3–6).ResultsDecreased preoperative oxygen saturation level was associated with an increased risk of poor outcome (odds ratio, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.73–0.98; P = 0.0293). Postoperative oxygen saturation had the opposite effect on poor outcome (odds ratio, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.13–2.27; P = 0.0088).ConclusionPreoperative and postoperative oxygen saturation have different impacts on 3-month poor outcome in patients with AIS with successful recanalization by MT.
High-density thrombus and maximum transverse diameter on multi-spiral computed tomography angiography combine to predict abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture
Authors: Liu Heqian , Chen Zhipeng , Tang Chen , Fan Haijian , Mai Xiaoli , Cai Jing , Qiao Tong 
Published: September 2022

ObjectiveWe attempted to measure maximum transverse diameter (MTD) of and CT values of ILT by using multi-spiral computed tomography angiography (MSCTA) to investigate the predictive value of MTD with different CT values of thrombus on the risk of AAA rupture.MethodsForty-five intact abdominal aortic aneurysms (IAAA) and 17 ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (RAAA) were included in this study. MTD and CT values in their planes were measured from MSCTA images and aneurysm lumen and thrombus volumes were calculated for the range of different CT values.ResultsThe median of maximum CT value of thrombus at the plane of MTD was higher in RAAA (107.0 HU) than the median in IAAA (84.5 HU) (P &lt; 0.001). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that the maximum CT value was a risk factor for RAAA (P &lt; 0.001). It was further found that the area under the ROC curve for thrombus maximum CT value in the MTD plane to predict RAAA was 0.848 (P &lt; 0.001), with a cut-off value of 97.5 HU, a sensitivity of 82.35%, and a specificity of 84.44%. And the MTD of the abnormal lumen combined with the maximum CT value at its plane predicted RAAA with an area under the ROC curve of 0.901, a sensitivity of 76.47%, and a specificity of 97.78%. The further analysis of thrombus volume in the range of different CT value showed that median thrombus volume in RAAA in the range of 30 HU~150 HU was 124.2 cm3 which was higher than the median of 81.4 cm3 in IAAA (P = 0.005). To exclude confounding factors (aneurysm volume), we calculated the standardized thrombus (ILT volume/total aneurysm volume), and the thrombus volume in the range of 30 HU~150 HU in RAAA was positively correlated with the standardized thrombus volume (ρ = 0.885, P &lt; 0.001), while the thrombus volume in the range of −100 HU~30 HU was not correlated with it (ρ = 0.309, P = 0.228).ConclusionsHigh-density ILT shown on MSCTA in AAAs is associated with aneurysm rupture, and its maximum transverse diameter combined with the maximum CT value in its plane is a better predictor of RAAA.
Alcohol consumption and atrial fibrillation risk: An updated dose-response meta-analysis of over 10 million participants
Authors: Jiang Hezi , Mei Xiaofei , Jiang Yufeng , Yao Jialu , Shen Jinsheng , Chen Tan , Zhou Yafeng 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundThe treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) has made significant progress, but the prevention of AF has not received the attention it deserves. A few recent large-sized studies have conducted dose response analysis and reported different conclusions from previous studies on alcohol consumption and AF risk.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to examine the potential non-linear association between alcohol consumption and risk of AF and explore the potential differences of gender.MethodsIn this updated dose-response meta-analysis, PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched until June 2022. Risk estimates were reported as relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The random-effects restricted cubic spline models are used to evaluate the potential non-linear association between alcohol consumption and AF risk.ResultsA total of 10,151,366 participants with 214,365 cases of AF enrolled in 13 prospective studies. The overall meta-analysis showed that a 1 drink/day increase in alcohol consumption increased the risk of AF by 6% (RR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.03–1.08). In gender subgroup analysis, pooled results were different between men (RR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.05–1.11) and women (RR: 1.05; 95% CI: 0.96–1.14). A linear relationship between alcohol consumption and risk of AF was found in men (p = 0.87) while a J-shaped curve was observed in women (p = 0.00). Regional subgroup analysis yielded broadly comparable results in Americas (RR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.03–1.12), Europe (RR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.99–1.1) and Asia (RR: 1.07; 95% CI: 0.99–1.14).ConclusionThe relationship between AF risk and alcohol consumption is linear in men, while a potential non-linear J-shaped relationship is shown in women.Condensed abstractWe conducted a dose-response meta-analysis on the relationship between alcohol consumption and risk of atrial fibrillation. We merged the data of over 10 million participants and found gender differences in the pattern of association with AF and alcohol consumption. The relationship between AF risk and alcohol consumption is linear in men, while a potential non-linear J-shaped relationship is shown in women. In summary, this research is vital in furthering our understanding of the role of alcohol consumption in new-onset AF, especially among different genders.
Antegrade axillary arterial perfusion in 3D endoscopic minimally-invasive mitral valve surgery
Authors: Petersen Johannes , Naito Shiho , Kloth Benjamin , Pecha Simon , Zipfel Svante , Alassar Yousuf , Detter Christian , Conradi Lenard , Reichenspurner Hermann , Girdauskas Evaldas 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundMinimally-invasive (MIS) mitral valve (MV) surgery has become standard therapy in many cardiac surgery centers. While femoral arterial perfusion is the preferred cannulation strategy in MIS mitral valve surgery, retrograde arterial perfusion is known to be associated with an increased risk for cerebral atheroembolism, particularly in atherosclerosis patients. Therefore, antegrade perfusion may be beneficial in such cases. This analysis aimed to compare outcomes of antegrade axillary vs. retrograde femoral perfusion in the MIS mitral valve surgery.MethodsThis analysis includes 50 consecutive patients who underwent MIS between 2016 and 2020 using arterial cannulation of right axillary artery (Group A) due to severe aortic arteriosclerosis. Perioperative outcomes of the study group were compared with a historical control group of retrograde femoral perfusion (Group F) which was adjusted for age and gender (n = 50). Primary endpoint of the study was in-hospital mortality and perioperative cerebrovascular events.ResultsPatients in group A had a significantly higher perioperative risk as compared to Group F (EuroSCORE II: 3.9 ± 2.5 vs. 1.6 ± 1.5; p = 0.001; STS-Score: 2.1 ± 1.4 vs. 1.3 ± 0.6; p = 0.023). Cardiopulmonary bypass time (group A: 172 ± 46; group F: 178 ± 51 min; p = 0.627) and duration of surgery (group A: 260 ± 65; group F: 257 ± 69 min; p = 0.870) were similar. However, aortic cross clamp time was significantly shorter in group A as compared to group F (86 ± 20 vs. 111 ± 29 min, p &lt; 0.001). There was no perioperative stroke in either groups. In-hospital mortality was similar in both groups (group A: 1 patient; group F: 0 patients; p = 0.289). In group A, one patient required central aortic repair due to intraoperative aortic dissection. No further cardiovascular events occurred in Group A patients.ConclusionSelective use of antegrade axillary artery perfusion in patients with systemic atherosclerosis shows similar in-hospital outcomes as compared to lower risk patients undergoing retrograde femoral perfusion. Patients with higher perioperative risk and severe atherosclerosis can be safely treated via the minimally invasive approach with antegrade axillary perfusion.
Dynamic numerical simulation and risk predictive assessment of the slope debris flow for the rear mountain at the management office of the Erlang Mountain Tunnel
Authors: Wang Hao , Dai Lin , Pan Deng , Yue Jianwei , Fu Dewei , Yan Tiantian 
Published: September 2022

The Erlang Mountain Tunnel Management Office is located in Luding County, Sichuan Province, China. A long-term open-pit limestone mine is located on the rear mountain, 1 km from the west entrance of the Erlang Mountain Tunnel Management Office for the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. Dangerous rock masses and a large accumulation of mine waste slag are present o-n the hillside, which can easily produce slope debris flow disasters. This paper analyzes the formation causes of slope debris flow through field investigation and uses RAMMS (Rapid mass movement simulation) software to study the influence of base friction coefficient μ and ξ on slope debris flow. Numerical simulation predicted level of danger of the movement process from the aspects of Velocity, deposition height, flow, topography. When the dry Coulomb friction value μ increased from 0.3 to 0.4, the debris velocity decreased and began to spread out along the slope. The flow process can be divided into four parts, and found that the velocity and discharge are different in the upstream and downstream of the slope constriction. The slope constriction has a significant amplification effect on the velocity and discharge. The velocity is amplified by 31.1%, and the discharge is amplified by 14.5%. In addition, based on the dynamic characteristics and the frequency of rainstorms, the risk of debris flow is divided into four levels: low, medium, high, and extremely high. The hazard map of slope debris flow in the rainstorm return period (20 years) is established, which provides a basis for the assessment and prediction of debris flow.
Evolution Characteristics of the Flows Around the Tibetan Plateau and the Relationship with the Climate in China in Winter
Authors: Zhang Yongli , Zuo Hongchao , Gao Xiaoqing , Fan Guangzhou , Lv Shihua , Hua Wei , Dong Longxiang 
Published: September 2022

During the winter half-year (previous October–April), the mid-latitude westerlies flows around the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and generate a dynamic low-pressure trough on its south side and a high-pressure ridge on its north side. In this study, we define the vorticity perturbation as the difference between local vorticity and the meridionally-averaged vorticity. Then, the difference of averaged vorticity perturbation at 600 hPa in the two key areas where the trough and ridge are located is used to represent the intensity of the flows around the Tibetan Plateau (FAT). The evolution characteristics of FAT in the winter half-year, as well as in autumn, winter and spring, are analyzed. Moreover, under global warming, in winter the relationship of FAT to the precipitation and temperature in China are discussed. The results show that FAT steadily exists on both sides of TP during the winter half-year. With the north-south migration of the mid-latitude westerlies, the FAT gradually strengthens in autumn, with the strongest intensity and the widest range in winter, and begins to weaken in spring. The intensity of FAT (IFAT) has a decreasing trend and a quasi-4a period variation on the interannual scale in all the time, both of which are closely related to the mid-latitude westerlies upstream of TP. Represented by the winter when IFAT is strongest, the IFAT is significantly correlated to the change of precipitation and temperature in most parts of China under global warming, especially in the convergence area over central-eastern China. There is also a significant correlation between IFAT and the precipitation and temperature anomalies in Northwest China, TP, and Northeast China. This relationship between the FAT anomaly and the climate anomaly in China in winter can be well explained by analyzing the anomalies of large-scale circulation, outgoing longwave radiation and water vapor flux divergence. The FAT anomaly maybe one of the reasons for the climate extreme events in China in winter.
Gut microbiome and metabolic activity in type 1 diabetes: An analysis based on the presence of GADA
Authors: Luo Sihui , Yue Tong , Liu Ziyu , Yang Daizhi , Xu Mengyun , Ding Yu , Jiang Weiwei , Xu Wen , Yan Jinhua , Weng Jianping , Zheng Xueying 
Published: September 2022

ObjectiveType 1 diabetes (T1D) progression is affected by circulating glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody (GADA) that persist for many years. This study aimed at investigating whether and how the gut microbiome and its correlated metabolites change in T1D with the presence of GADA.MethodsWe used a radiobinding assay to measure GADA titers and identify the 49 T1D patients with GADA+ and 52 T1D patients with GADA-. The fresh feces and serum were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and GC/MS. Then gut microbiome and serum metabolites were compared between the GADA+ patients and the GADA- patients. The association between gut microbial community and metabolites was assessed using the Spearman’s rank correlation.ResultsThe gut microbiome in diversity, composition, and function differed between these two groups. The abundance of genus Alistipes, Ruminococcus significantly increased in patients with GADA+ compared to that observed in the samples of GADA-. There were 54 significantly altered serum metabolites associated with tryptophan metabolism, phenylalanine, and tyrosine biosynthesis in individuals with GADA+ compared with those of GADA-For the serum metabolites, compared with those of GADA-, there were 54 significantly different metabolites with tryptophan metabolism, phenylalanine, and tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis decreased in individuals with GADA+. The abundance of Alistipes was positively correlated with altered metabolites involved in tryptophan metabolism.ConclusionWe demonstrate that T1D patients with GADA+ are characterised by aberrant profiles of gut microbiota and serum metabolites. The abundance of Alistipes disturbances may participate in the development of T1D patients with GADA by modulating the host’s tryptophan metabolism. These findings extend our insights into the association between the gut microbiota and tryptophan metabolism and GADA and might be targeted for preventing the development of T1D.